Those infected with Odysseus' spyware have their search results
> corrupted as well, the FTC said. When they try to use a search engine
> like Yahoo or Google, they are steered to a look-alike page that
> prominently lists Odysseus clients in the results.
> Those who use an Odysseus software tool to remove the spyware only
> draw more unwanted programs on to their computers, the FTC said.
The practices described are outright fraud.
I wonder what kind of people work as programmers for these kinds of outfits. I used to think -- obviously incorrectly -- that computer programmers had some level of ethics and would use their skills and gifts for good, not evil.
It's too bad the programming profession never developed widely recognized codes of ethics and professional standards like CPAs or PEs.
I think the programmers ought to be prosecuted as accomplices in creating of fraud. Likewise for those who create spam systems.
Can anyone make a case to defend the programmers who do such garbage?
[public replies please]