How Do You Enforce An EULA On Malware?

from the honor-among-thieves? dept

We've written about all sorts of crazy things that software companies do in their EULAs (End User License Agreement), but it really says something about how ingrained the concept of an EULA has become that malware companies are starting to offer such draconian EULAs on their products (found via Ars Technica). Among the more amusing features of the EULA is a guarantee to buy any future upgrades. How's that for lock-in? Of course, EULAs are barely enforceable as is, and when you're selling to scammers and crooks they become even less so. Most EULAs are backed up via the power of copyright law, but that obviously doesn't work in this case. So how are the malware authors enforcing it? In typical organized crime fashion: with threats to destroy everything else you've got. Specifically, if it catches anyone violating the terms, it promises to send their botnet code to various antispyware companies -- effectively handing over the location of their secret hideout to the malware police. Who knew that honor among thieves now has taken on an EULA angle? Of course, we already know that almost no one reads normal software EULAs, so I somehow doubt that the online scammers using this software are bothering with the fine print either.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: eula, malware
Companies: symantec


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. identicon
    HAHAHAHA, 29 Apr 2008 @ 8:57pm

    HAHAHA

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

    AAAAHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!

    Oh Oh... HHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Guido, 29 Apr 2008 @ 9:20pm

    EULA

    By allowing the installation of this crapware on your computer, through ignorance or otherwise, you agree to the following.
    1) You will not remove said crapware via any means including destruction of the hard drive with a sledge hammer.
    2) You will allow updates to said crapware, whether you are aware of it or not.
    3) ???????
    4) PROFIT !!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 29 Apr 2008 @ 11:39pm

    Who cares!!! Like they can enforce it.

    Enforce my foot up your Arse maybe!

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHa

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Cobalt, 30 Apr 2008 @ 1:46am

    EULA

    When huge legitimate companies with hundreds of lawyers millions of dollars and an uncountable number of copyrights behind them have trouble enforcing EULA, how these companies think they can i have no idea.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), 30 Apr 2008 @ 5:22am

    Can't Wait ..

    To see some idiot scammer try to take this to court.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Jerry in Detroit, 30 Apr 2008 @ 5:55am

    Enforcing EULA

    Let me get this straight. We violate the EULA and these cretins will show up in court? Makes tracking down these turkeys a whole lot easier. (followed by, "You have the right to remain silent...")

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Strofcon, 30 Apr 2008 @ 6:29am

    Re: Enforcing EULA

    I believe he means to say that the scammers and crooks that the malware companies are selling their "products" to are bound by the EULA. Except... ya know... for the whole -not- being bound by it. But you get the idea... Malware company A sells malware stuff of some sort to scammer B, scammer B breaks EULA, malware company A sends scammer B's dark dirty secrets to antispyware companies.

    At least, that's how I read it, I may be wrong.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Matt, 1 May 2008 @ 8:29pm

    How do they enforce it?

    Easy. They show up at your house and break your kneecaps if you violate the terms of the EULA.

    It's actually quite civilized and reasonable, when compared to most other EULAs...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. icon
    Krevco (profile), 29 Dec 2009 @ 6:53am

    Pretty sick stuff when they pack the EULAs with stuff that, although not binding, ATTEMPTS to lock you in to years worth of purchases. I can see the call to support, "Hi, I have malware all over my computer." "Well, since you have agreed to buy all future upgrades, you are now required to buy one if you want this fixed." Sweet deal. Very cool customer relations strategy...

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.