Spyware: What You Know Can Still Hurt You.

There must be a dozen applications that help protect Windows users against so-called “spyware.” We Mac users have it easy. Here’s the story of a web site that called a so-called spyware application, well, they called it “spyware.”

Then the attorneys got involved. What’s next? The lawsuit? Read on…

I picked this story up on SlashDot. If you don’t read SlashDot, give it a try. Click Here for the home page. The site is updated many times during the day. Unless you’re using an RSS reader it’s difficult to keep up.

Click Here for the SlashDot article that got me started.

OK, here’s the story. A web site called CastleCops ran an article about spyware. They listed a Windows application called ISearch as spyware. ISearch is published by ScanSpyWare, though ISearch is owned by iDownload.com.

Are you lost yet? CastleCops got themselves into a Keystone Kops event just by pointing out the obvious. An application that spys on you is called “spyware.”

Wait. There’s more.

CastleCops wrote the artilce about ISearch (the Windows application identified as spyware). Guess what? iDownload, the alleged owner of ISearch sent CastleCops a cease and desist letter (as in, from a lawyer with an implied threat to sue the pants off of CastleCops for exercising freedom of speech).

iDownload sent the same letter to a number of web sites who’d also identified ISearch as spyware.

The result?  CastleCops published the lawyerly nastygram for all to see. Click Here to read CastleCops response and the cease and desist letter.

Isn’t this fun? I’m doing this because it makes me feel so good that owning a Mac helps shield against this kind of attempted tort.

Wait. There’s more.

CastleCops got their lawyer to respond to the cease and desist nastygram from the iDownload (alleged owners of ISearch, the alleged spyware application for Windows) lawyers. Click Here to read what happens when you get another set of lawyers in the fray.

It becomes a verbal rucus with two meters running pedal to the metal.

In short, CastleCops says a bunch of notable and experienced organizations in the field of spyware, virusware, malware, have also named ISearch as “spyware.” So, “nuts to you” iDownload lawyers. Or something to that effect.

Wait. There’s more. And here’s where the beauty of the ‘net comes in. CastleCops has their own forum. Click Here to read the latest from Windows users regarding both freedom of speech, a definition for “spyware,” and to get a more in-depth feeling of what it’s like to be a Windows user.

Whew. What an adventure. What’s it all mean? Well, it means a number of things.

First, anyone can get sued for anything by anybody. It may not be right, the suer may not prevail over the sued, but someone will pay an attorney for something anyway.

Second, it just shows to go you, if it’s not one thing, it’s always something (with thanks to Roseanne Rosannadanna for a great phrase). Windows users have more things to put up with than Mac users.

Third, what you know about spyware can still hurt you. The folks at CastleCops identified ISearch as spyware, as did many other sites, and the spyware experts. What’d they get? A cease and desist letter from a lawyer.

Finally, aren’t you glad you own a Mac? Would you like to see a Forum at Mac360? Check the links above. It’s a wonderful 5-minute read. Share your thoughts with other Mac users and click the Comments link below.