Anti-spyware bill gets new life

Backers of a proposed federal law to regulate spyware, who failed to win approval last year, are trying again. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has scheduled a hearing for 7 a.m. PST Wednesday on its version of a spyware bill that's supported by Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas.

The effort stalled in Congress in 2004 when the House of Representatives approved the so-called Spy Act by a 399-1 margin, but the Senate never voted. Even though this week's hearing is a formality, the process is being closely watched by technology companies because it could result in changes to the legislation this time around.

[Dachi]

Something should be passed

Right now there is a gray area between illegally hacking computes and legally installing spyware. In my opinion if an application installs itself using a vulneribility in windows, takes steps to hide itself, and takes steps to prevent its removal from the system then it is hacking, and the authors should do time.

[stevenmcs]

Adwarew cost users money

How about if you have to buy software or hire a consultant to get you computer working again collect the money from the advertiser or website. Also pay for the time the computer is not working. How many companies would ask for this type of advertizing.

Lets be careful

I think that is is a great idea to put the hammer down on spyware,pop-ups, etc, but we need to be careful of all that we ask the government to do. The internet and the web are great advancements that can benefit mankind. The current tax free internet that we enjoy right now could come to an end if we keep asking the federal government to pass laws protecting us with the usage of the internet. The current tax moratorium that we have in this country did not renewed right when it had expired because a few law makers realized how much tax revenue their states could receive. Thank those law makers that had enough sense to renew it a few years after it had expired, but unfortunately it has not been made a permanent ban on taxation. The more we ask the government to intervene the more reason they have to tax it.

[stevenmcs]

there already is a law

It is illegal to hack a computer and cause damage to a computer system it is a federal law. I've helped customer after customer who's computer has been virually diabled by adware and spyware.