December 20, 2004 4:00 AM PST

ComScore: Spyware or 'researchware'?

By Stefanie Olsen
Staff Writer, CNET News

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flags for anyone concerned about the privacy of their personal data and the sanctity of their computer.

"From an overall security perspective, I would never recommend that to happen," said Webroot's Stiennon. "That's the one case where all of your activity can be sniffed and tracked. Even if it was the most reputable company in the world, I would not recommend that practice."

ComScore has a panel of 1.5 million people in the United States who use its software, and by doing so, report their behaviors. With the software, ComScore has built a reputable research business in recent years with less investment than traditional, random digit-dial research panels. Its star has risen since the dot-com bust thanks to the credibility of its large panel size and data. The company sells data to major Internet companies, universities and the media.

But as high-speed Internet service has proliferated in recent years--making its Internet accelerator software less enticing to consumers--ComScore has had to find new incentives and avenues for distribution. For example, it runs JD Academic Research Council, or JDCouncil.org, which offers students $5 or $10 for using Marketscore.

"Some companies fall into the middle, and there's a push back and forth as to whether they're the good guys or bad guys."
--Ari Schwartz, policy analyst, Center for Democracy and Technology

The company has reportedly bundled its software with peer-to-peer applications like iMesh, which are popular with students.

But recently, the company's distribution efforts have hit a snag in academia.

Columbia University and Cornell have begun blocking Marketscore from their networks and students' PCs, and issued spyware warnings on the software. Other schools, including Pennsylvania State University, Indiana State University, California State University and North Dakota University, also are looking into the software.

"It wasn't causing adverse performance effects to our network, but you might imagine if you're a student and logging on to what you think is a secure site, and it's not, and it records your credit card information. That's why we decided to be a little more active on this," Cornell's Schuster said.

Because Marketscore's Web page contains only a buried reference to ComScore, some people say it appears secretive and raises suspicion. JDCouncil.org does not openly refer to ComScore either, except within a company information page.

The controversy comes as spyware is of mounting concern to consumers, information technology managers and corporations. As more Net companies begin to offer tools for consumers to fight it, spyware makers are getting trickier, exploiting Web browser flaws to get onto people's PCs and making it nearly impossible to uninstall their software.

As a result, several states, including California, have anti-spyware bills to ban unauthorized installation of spyware on unsuspecting computer users. Congress is also drafting a federal law to protect consumers from spyware. In October, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the proposed Spy Act, which prohibits companies and individuals from "taking control" of a computer, surreptitiously modifying the URL of a Web browser's home page or disabling antivirus software without the proper authorization.

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