CWShredder
Encyclopedia
CWShredder is a program that runs on Microsoft Windows
for removing the CoolWebSearch
family of spyware
. Originally created by Merijn Bellekom, it was bought by InterMute on October 19, 2004 until June 2005 when InterMute itself was acquired by Trend Micro
.
The program is now distributed by Trend Micro, and is currently offered in two forms:
The program has not been updated since ownership transferred to Trend Micro. The currently available version is v2.19 which was released in November 2005. While still functional, it is unclear if Trend Micro have plans to update the program. There is controversy in some quarters over whether or not Trend Micro should
either declare CWShredder open source
or be compelled to give up ownership to another party so that the program can be maintained and updated.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
for removing the CoolWebSearch
CoolWebSearch
CoolWebSearch is a well-known spyware program that installs itself on Microsoft Windows based computers. It first appeared in May 2003.- Effects :...
family of spyware
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
. Originally created by Merijn Bellekom, it was bought by InterMute on October 19, 2004 until June 2005 when InterMute itself was acquired by Trend Micro
Trend Micro
Trend Micro Inc. is a computer security company. It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and markets Trend Micro Internet Security, Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security, OfficeScan, and other related security products and services...
.
The program is now distributed by Trend Micro, and is currently offered in two forms:
- integrated into Trend Micro Anti-Spyware, formerly SpySubtractSpySubtractSpySubtracter was the name of an Anti-Spyware application for Microsoft Windows developed by InterMute. It is now maintained by Trend Micro under the new name of Trend Micro Anti-Spyware....
- a stand-alone FreewareFreewareFreeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
program
The program has not been updated since ownership transferred to Trend Micro. The currently available version is v2.19 which was released in November 2005. While still functional, it is unclear if Trend Micro have plans to update the program. There is controversy in some quarters over whether or not Trend Micro should
either declare CWShredder open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
or be compelled to give up ownership to another party so that the program can be maintained and updated.