Wired Gets Spun By Spyware PR Goons

"Wired's Analee Newitz falls hard for Claria's PR spin. Claria's PR firm SHIFT Communications must be witches. Claria's VC backers Greylock, Technology Crossover Ventures, U.S. Venture Partners, Investor AB and Crosslink Capital must be dancing in the streets . Some quotes: 'Three years ago the company was considered a parasite and a scourge. Today it's a rising star - selling virtually the same product.' Like Claria 'Google - with its interconnected search, email, chat, blogs, and social networks - is also in the business of targeting ads based on user behavior. So are MSN and Yahoo! ' 'The spyware wars are over - and spyware has won. ' We don't argue with Wired's storyline. Malware companies built big businesses and solid technology to support that, VCs poured money in, then the backlash hit them hard, they have all since worked hard to clean up their acts by creating software with value. They have used their money to lobby and to sue those who stand in their way. However, we are not sure why Wired singles out Claria as the winner. Sure its revenues are bountiful at $100M or so, but that's where DirectRevenue and 180Solutions are as well. It's... "