Adware pusher no longer valued by Microsoft

A WEEK AFTER it elevated Cyril Paciullo, the creator of Messenger Plus and Messenger Plus Live, to its list of Most Valued Professionals, Vole has pulled the honour.

The MVP title is bestowed by Vole on people which Redmond thinks make significant contributions for the users of Microsoft products.

Microsoft apparently liked Messenger Plus which is a free program that adds functionality to Vole's instant messaging software.

However it appeared that after Microsoft made the announcement, several security experts got on the blower and pointed out that Paciullo's software was used to distribute the 'nasty' adware program Lop.

Christopher Boyd, a Microsoft Security MVP who's also director of malware research at FaceTime Security Labs, penned in his bog that Vole seemed to be rewarding someone that has an active involvement with one of the "most maligned names in PC hijacking."

A sheepish Vole decided to take back the award saying that Paciullo was awarded MVP status this year on the basis of his technical expertise and strong community contribution. However involvement with spyware really undoes a lot of his good work.

Paciullo, who uses the nickname Patchou, is keeping quiet about the whole sorry affair. However his website admits that Messenger Plus comes with a 'sponsor' program that some anti-adware programs flag as dangerous. He maintains that the software is harmless and optional. µ

L'Inq
Computerworld