Consumer alert system

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The consumer alert system (sometimes known as CAS or the ConsumerAlertSystem) is a spyware/adware program for Microsoft Windows that delivers advertisements to a personal computer's desktop. The program has been criticized by users for privacy issues and hijackings of computers.[1] However, the program is considered very low-risk.

Contents

[edit] About

The program has been criticized for its ability to make computers open to hijacking and privacy issues. This is known widely over the Internet and forums[1]

[edit] Actions

The program will display pop-up advertising,[2] and can open pop-under windows. [3]

[edit] Installation

As with almost any spyware or adware program, the CAS can be installed by installing a program. Also, the program can be installed from the manufacturer's website for packaging with a different program's file. This is also a common way of installing spyware or adware.

[edit] Protection

According to Sophos, protection has been available since 17 October 2006[2], thus it can be presumed that this bug is fairly new.

[edit] Risk

CAS is considered very low risk by SpywareGuide[3], because an uninstallation link is readily available at the manufacturer's website, and that it has no effect on the performance on the user's computer, except the system may run slightly slower due to the pop-up windows.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b computeralertsystems.com is taking me over. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
  2. ^ a b ConsumerAlertSystem Client - Potentially unwanted application. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
  3. ^ a b Consumer Alert System. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.

[edit] External links

To follow these links, copy and paste the addresses into the address bar of your browser, as these links are blacklisted.

  • http://www.consumeralertsystem.com- Please note that the website contains a download link for the program.
    • http://www.consumeralertsystem.com/uninstall/uninstall.exe- Uninstallation link