[Full-Disclosure] Microsoft runs early April Fools ad

From: Richard M. Smith (rms@computerbytesman.com)
Date: 03/22/03

  • Next message: Stephen Benjamin: "[Full-Disclosure] Ptrace Exploit" 
    From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms@computerbytesman.com>
To: <full-disclosure@lists.netsys.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 23:01:00 -0500

    http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2003/0303201315.asp?A=SFT&S=Sof
    tware&T=Section&O=FPSH

    Microsoft ad pulled by ASA

    The Advertising Standards Authority of SA (ASA) has ordered that a
    Microsoft ad implying that its software will bring about the extinction
    of the hacker is to be pulled for being "unsubstantiated and
    misleading".

    An objection was lodged by freelance journalist Richard Clarke, in his
    personal capacity, who complained that the advert was untrue. He claimed
    Microsoft software is littered with vulnerabilities.

    The advert depicts a dodo, a woolly mammoth, a sabre tooth tiger and a
    hacker. The caption claims that not everyone benefits from Microsoft
    software and that with it, a customer's data couldn't be safer even if
    it was kept in a safe. It was published in the November issues of ITWeb
    Brainstorm and Time Magazine.

    "Microsoft's software is littered with vulnerabilities," Clarke says in
    his submission.

    Microsoft was asked by the ASA to provide information, substantiated by
    an independent, credible expert, on the degree of security of its
    software in accordance with Code of Advertising Practices. Microsoft was
    also asked to defend the advert against Clarke's claim that the advert
    was misleading.

    Microsoft submitted documentation to substantiate its claims about the
    security of the software and said the advert was not designed to mislead
    the consumer, but was merely a tongue in cheek dramatisation that the
    software would threaten the survival of hackers.

    After reviewing both parties' submissions, the ASA ruled that
    Microsoft's claims about the security of its software were
    unsubstantiated as it had not been evaluated by an independent entity.
    The ASA ruling said because the claim was unsubstantiated, it was
    therefore misleading and ordered the advert to be withdrawn.

    Steyn Laubscher, Microsoft account director at Lowe Bull Advertising
    agency, says Microsoft is in the process of having Windows XP
    Professional and Windows .Net server 2003 evaluated by independent
    experts against the common criteria.

    "Substantial information was submitted from our US office, backing up
    the claims. Our survey data are still in the process of being evaluated
    by independent experts and we informed the ASA of that. However, the ASA
    still ordered the ad withdrawn."

    Laubscher says despite the decision, Microsoft fully maintains that its
    software is able to fulfil the task of keeping hackers and viruses out,
    making the customers' data safer than if kept in a safe.

    Clarke described Microsoft's claim as "laughable".

    The advert was to be run this year in a number of broad-reaching
    business publications, including Business Day, the Financial Mail and
    Business Report.

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