Re: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft runs early April Fools ad

From: yossarian (yossarian@planet.nl)
Date: 03/22/03

  • Next message: David Leadbeater: "Re: [Full-Disclosure] CERT: Vulnerability in web redirectors" 
    From: "yossarian" <yossarian@planet.nl>
To: "Richard M. Smith" <rms@computerbytesman.com>, <full-disclosure@lists.netsys.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 23:15:31 +0100

    They've run similar ads in the Netherlands. No one objected though. Finding
    an independent specialist to prove or disprove it will be hard, i guess,
    since either you say it is secure, and you lose your credibility, or you say
    it is insecure, and when people stop using MS, you lose a major part of the
    business.

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms@computerbytesman.com>
    To: <full-disclosure@lists.netsys.com>
    Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 5:01 AM
    Subject: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft runs early April Fools ad

    > 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.
    >
    > _______________________________________________
    > Full-Disclosure - We believe in it.
    > Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html

    _______________________________________________
    Full-Disclosure - We believe in it.
    Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html

  • Next message: David Leadbeater: "Re: [Full-Disclosure] CERT: Vulnerability in web redirectors"

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