PestPatrol
Encyclopedia
CA Anti-Spyware is a spyware
detection program distributed by CA, Inc. Until 2007, it was known as PestPatrol.
PestPatrol was an anti-malware product, designed to protect a computer
system against threats such as adware
, spyware
and viruses. It performed automated scans of a system's hard disks, Windows registry
and other crucial system areas, and enabled manual scans for specific threats, selected from a very long list of known malicious software. Among its unique features were CookiePatrol, which purges spyware cookies, and KeyPatrol, which detects keylogger
s. Unlike most anti-spyware programs designed for home use on a single desktop, PestPatrol also provided a solution for the network environments found in enterprises. Among the features that made it appealing for enterprise security administrators was the ability to manage networked desktops remotely.
Early versions of the product were criticized for the poor user interface
, described alternatively as something that "looks like an application that was ported from OS/2
, with unclear buttons" or a "clunky, text-based UI", but the reviewers praised its malware detection and removal capabilities, stating "PestPatrol is the most effective anti-spyware system - short of a switch to Linux
- that we've ever used".
It was described by InfoWorld
as "one the most established brands in anti-spyware", and in 2002, it was selected as "Security product of year" by Network World
, which cited its ability to detect and remove more than 60,000 types of malware, and its defenses against Remote Administration Tools
(RATs).
Billing itself as the "Authority in Spyware
Protection," it licensed its signature files
for use in Yahoo!
Companion and others. In 2003, along with other anti-spyware and anti-malware companies such as Webroot, Lavasoft
and Aluria, it formed an industry consortium
to fight malware called the Consortium of Antispyware Technology (COAST).
Computer Associates (now CA Technologies) bought PestPatrol in 2004 and made it a part of its eTrust computer security line, which includes a virus scanner and a firewall. Using the newly acquired technology, CA created a bundle
named CA Integrated Threat Management (ITM), which consisted of an anti-virus solution and the PestPatrol anti-spyware.
Renamed CA Anti-Spyware in 2007, the program can be bought separately, or as part of CA Internet Security.
In 2007, the CA Anti-Spyware team was instrumental in exposing the fact that Facebook
was collecting personal information about their users, without their knowledge, even when those users opted out of Facebook's ill-fated Beacon
program, and even when those users were not logged in to Facebook.
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...
detection program distributed by CA, Inc. Until 2007, it was known as PestPatrol.
History
PestPatrol, Inc. was a Carlisle, PA based software company, which developed PestPatrol and released its first version in 2000.PestPatrol was an anti-malware product, designed to protect a computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
system against threats such as adware
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
, 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...
and viruses. It performed automated scans of a system's hard disks, Windows registry
Windows registry
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user...
and other crucial system areas, and enabled manual scans for specific threats, selected from a very long list of known malicious software. Among its unique features were CookiePatrol, which purges spyware cookies, and KeyPatrol, which detects keylogger
Keystroke logging
Keystroke logging is the action of tracking the keys struck on a keyboard, typically in a covert manner so that the person using the keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored...
s. Unlike most anti-spyware programs designed for home use on a single desktop, PestPatrol also provided a solution for the network environments found in enterprises. Among the features that made it appealing for enterprise security administrators was the ability to manage networked desktops remotely.
Early versions of the product were criticized for the poor user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
, described alternatively as something that "looks like an application that was ported from OS/2
OS/2
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
, with unclear buttons" or a "clunky, text-based UI", but the reviewers praised its malware detection and removal capabilities, stating "PestPatrol is the most effective anti-spyware system - short of a switch to Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
- that we've ever used".
It was described by InfoWorld
InfoWorld
InfoWorld is an information technology online media and events business operating under the umbrella of InfoWorld Media Group, a division of IDG...
as "one the most established brands in anti-spyware", and in 2002, it was selected as "Security product of year" by Network World
Network World
Network World is a weekly IT publication that provides news and information to network executives. The company is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States....
, which cited its ability to detect and remove more than 60,000 types of malware, and its defenses against Remote Administration Tools
Remote administration
Remote administration refers to any method of controlling a computer from a remote location.Software that allows remote administration is becoming increasingly common and is often used when it is difficult or impractical to be physically near a system in order to use it, or in order to access web...
(RATs).
Billing itself as the "Authority in 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...
Protection," it licensed its signature files
Signature files
Signature files is a technique applied for document retrieval.The idea behind Signature files is to create a quick and dirty filter that will keep all the documents that match to the query and hopefully a few ones that do not....
for use in Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
Companion and others. In 2003, along with other anti-spyware and anti-malware companies such as Webroot, Lavasoft
Lavasoft
Lavasoft is a software development company that produces anti‐spyware software, including Ad‐Aware.The company offers a free, downloadable version of Ad‐Aware titled Ad‐Aware Free Internet Security and three commercial versions called Ad-Aware Total Security, Ad‐Aware Pro Internet Security, and...
and Aluria, it formed an industry consortium
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
to fight malware called the Consortium of Antispyware Technology (COAST).
Computer Associates (now CA Technologies) bought PestPatrol in 2004 and made it a part of its eTrust computer security line, which includes a virus scanner and a firewall. Using the newly acquired technology, CA created a bundle
Product bundling
Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as one combined product. This strategy is very common in the software business , in the cable television industry Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as...
named CA Integrated Threat Management (ITM), which consisted of an anti-virus solution and the PestPatrol anti-spyware.
Renamed CA Anti-Spyware in 2007, the program can be bought separately, or as part of CA Internet Security.
In 2007, the CA Anti-Spyware team was instrumental in exposing the fact that Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
was collecting personal information about their users, without their knowledge, even when those users opted out of Facebook's ill-fated Beacon
Facebook Beacon
Beacon was a part of Facebook's advertisement system that sent data from external websites to Facebook, for the purpose of allowing targeted advertisements and allowing users to share their activities with their friends. Certain activities on partner sites were published to a user's News Feed....
program, and even when those users were not logged in to Facebook.