Computer software maker Secure Computer of White Plains, New York, which was accused of marketing its Spyware Cleaner product via deceptive spam and pop-up scans, has agreed to settle with the Washington State attorney general for $750,000 in legal fees, $2000 in damages, and $75,000 in reimbursements to Washington State customers who purchased Spyware Cleaner.
The company was accused of violating Washington State’s 2005 Computer Spyware Act by marketing its product via deceptive spam and pop-up advertisements. The ads would offer to perform free spyware scans on a user’s computer, but would always report a problem with the scanned computer and offer Spyware Cleaner as a solution.
