The Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors was established to help computer users remove unwanted software and put pressure on those companies that distribute invasive online advertising technologies. According to the Web site “C.O.A.S.T. has ceased operations, and this website will be taken down permanently on April 15, 2005.” Did the end of this organization begin when they let 180 Solutions, one of the most infamous spyware and adware companies in?

Excerpts from a February article predicting the demise of the group and alluding to 180 Solutions as the cause:

“But just 20 months after it was founded by four leading anti-spyware companies, the organization — known by its acronym, Coast — has fallen into disarray… Two of the founding members of the group withdrew yesterday and a third is expected to pull support next week — moves that come just three weeks after the controversial admission of Bellevue-based 180solutions… 180solutions has a history as a purveyor of adware and spyware — nasty software applications that can unexpectedly attach to personal computers and result in dozens of pop-up ads, slowing the performance of the machine. In fact, some of the Coast members’ technologies still classify 180solutions as adware… That created some tension within the organization…”

Anti-spyware group unravels over direction