SaferSurf.com Reveals Cloaking of Spyware Vendors by Domain Registrars

Leipzig, Germany (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) July 21, 2005 -- The spyware lab at SaferSurf.com has revealed that Ezula.com (AdWare.Ezula), an Adware developer, is distributing harmful spyware software. In the case of Ezula, investigation was difficult since Network Solutions ? the world's largest domain name registry ? is offering a "private registration" service that protects the identity of a domain owner. An inquiry with the Department of Corporations also revealed that the company, allegedly based in California according to Ezula, is not registered under Ezula Inc. or Kabanga Corp. in California.

The spyware offered on Ezula.com's Web site slows down the PC as well as the Internet connection. Ezula spyware installs two files: hwclock searches the Windows Registry for passwords that are stored by Internet Explorer, and wmiapi ensures that a user doesn't notice anything. The regedit and taskmgr processes, in addition to various new registry entries, are terminated and make it impossible to change those entries. At the same time, Ezula is offering software to repair the damage that has been done: DASH Bug Free is supposed to erase undesired registry entries, DASH PC Cleaner is supposed to eliminate the computer's history and DASH Connect is supposed to accelerate the Internet connection.

"The distribution of harmful software is only made easier by the use of private domain registrations," says Ren?olzer, CEO of Nutzwerk, the inventor of SaferSurf.com. "A real time data filter protects our users from spyware like Ezula. For the unprotected user, however, Ezula presents a considerable risk."

About SaferSurf.com Security
When using SaferSurf.com, all Web sites as well as files and email that the user downloads over the Internet, have already been screened on SaferSurf servers. The entire stream of data and all critical files that could contain a virus, worm or trojan are immediately screened using the latest filters before it enters the home computer. If there is danger of infection, the user receives a warning notice instead of the infected data. The entire process occurs in real time and is not noticed by the user. SaferSurf also works without having to install anti-virus or firewall software. The German Technical Inspection Agency (TUV) tested the 2005 virus protection functions and, after thorough examinations, issued the "Certified Anti-Virus Protection" seal. SaferSurf also compresses data and accelerates web surfing by as much as three times. The German magazine Computerbild declared SaferSurf the winner in an "anonymous surfing" test.