NYT: Spyware Cases Filed

The New York Times reports that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lodged the first case against a spyware firm, asking for a temporary restraining order against the two companies Seismic Entertainment Productions and Smartbot.Net as well as their owner, Sanford Wallace. The companies allegedly infected computers, spewed pop-up ads, and then attempted to sell victims a $30 "solution" to the spyware that they had themselves installed. Similar cases have been brought previously, however, notably a similar scheme that went through California courts this summer.