Microsoft goes after malvertising, sues five
By siliconindia   |   Tuesday, 22 September 2009, 00:25 IST
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Bangalore: Microsoft has filed five lawsuit to combat malicious online advertising, also known as malvertising. Microsoft has been working with other leading providers of online ad platforms to fight against malvertising from a long time. The lawsuit was filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle against unknown individuals who use the business name Soft Solutions, Direct Ad, qiweroqw.com, ITmeter INC and ote2008.info. Tim Cranton, Associate General Counsel of Microsoft says on his blog that this step was taken to expose businesses which camouflage malicious code as harmless online advertisements. "These ads lead to harmful or deceptive content. For example, ads may redirect users to a website that advertises rogue security software, also known as scareware, which falsely claims to detect or prevent threats on the computer. Malvertising may also directly infect a victim's computer with malicious software like trojans - programs that can damage data, steal personal information or even bring the users' computer under the control of a remote operator," said Cranton. Microsoft has taken this drastic step in an attempt to deter malvertising in the future. Microsoft works vigilantly, using both technology and the law, to fight the illegal activity that undermines people's trust on the Internet and online services. Cranto believes that this is necessary as online advertising helps keep the Internet up and running. He says, "It's the fuel that drives search technologies. It pays for free online services like Windows Live, Facebook, Yahoo and MSN. Fraud and malicious abuse of online ad platforms are therefore a serious threat to the industry and for all consumers and businesses that rely on these free services."

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