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PRESS RELEASE
Online Trust Alliance Forms Cross-Industry Anti-Malvertising Task
Force
Requests comment on new guidelines and best practices
Seattle, WA – September 8, 2010 –The
Online Trust Alliance (OTA), today announced it has formed an
Anti-Malvertising Task Force in response to increased threats to consumers
and to help defend the integrity of interactive advertising. The group has
drafted a series of guidelines to support cross-industry efforts to combat
malvertising, and it has issued a request for comments from the online
advertising community. The
Anti-Malvertising Task Force is comprised of over two dozen business,
advertising industry and government representatives. The OTA is recruiting
additional members to join the organization and participate in this
collaborative effort.
According to OTA research conducted during the last 18 months, malvertising
has rapidly become a threat to online consumer trust and privacy. As ads
created and compromised by cyber criminals proliferate, millions of Internet
users’ personal data and information is exposed on a daily basis. By
employing a legitimate distribution model and targeting “at risk” PCs, cyber
criminals are attempting to profit by deploying malware on unprotected
systems. OTA analysis found a 250 percent increase in compromised display
ads over the past quarter, served by over 100 unique ad networks and
exchanges.
“The business and security communities are to be commended for their efforts
to help develop best practices supporting end-to-end online trust,” said
Craig Spiezle, executive director of the Online Trust Alliance. “By working
together we can establish controls and accountability to bolster online
confidence, allowing consumers to continue to enjoy the value they receive
from advertising supported online services.”
"Malvertising is a serious threat to both consumers and the online
advertising industry," said Leslie Harris, president and CEO of the Center
for Democracy & Technology. "We support the OTA's efforts to bring
stakeholders together to discuss consensus approaches to address this
problem."
Members of the task force are meeting on September 22 at Georgetown
University to review recommendations, operational best practices and
potential technical remedies. Interested parties and agencies may apply to
attend and join the task force by emailing
staff@otalliance.org. Copies of
the guidelines are posted at
https://otalliance.org/malvertising.html.
Task force attendees may also attend the Online Trust & Cybersecurity Forum
at Georgetown University September 23-24, immediately following the
malvertising workshop. Speakers include US Secretary of Commerce, Gary
Locke, Whitehouse Cyber security Advisor, Howard Schmidt (invited),
Congressman Cliff Stearns and representatives of the Federal Trade
Commission, FBI, Direct Marketing Association and Interactive Advertising
Bureau. They will be joined by over 30 other industry, business and
government leaders who will discuss best practices to protect online trust
and maintain confidence and vitality of the Internet economy.
About the 5th Annual Online Trust and Cybersecurity Forum
Hosted at Georgetown University, in Washington DC on September 22-24, the
goals of the 5th Annual Online Trust and Cybersecurity Forum is to help
e-commerce companies, governmental agencies, financial institutions and
marketers enhance consumer protection while protecting their brands from
emerging threats including malvertising, brand deception and identity theft.
To register for the Malvertising Workshop or attend the Forum visit
https://otalliance.org/dc.html
See other DC Forum News
About The Online Trust Alliance (OTA)
https://otalliance.org/
OTA’s mission is to create
and promote business practices and technologies to enhance online trust and
the vitality of ecommerce and online services. Formed in 2004 to counter
email deception and online abuse, today OTA is a global non-profit
organization representing the Internet ecosystem supporting user choice and
controls, protection of critical infrastructure, privacy and data
governance, promoting marketing best practices, balanced legislation and
self-governance.
Open and collaborative, relationships with business, industry, govt and
non-governmental agencies are key pillars to helping address online
threats. OTA is a member and or partners with leading organizations
including the Anti-Phishing Working Group, (APWG), Direct Marketing
Association (DMA), Email Experience Council, (eec), Email Service Provider
Coalition (ESPC), eco, The German Internet Association, Digital PhishNet,
InfraGard, Singapore Direct Marketing Association, US Chamber of Commerce
and the London Action Plan (LAP).
For media-related inquiries contact:
Elizabeth Shambaugh
Online Trust Alliance (OTA)
Lizs@otalliance.org
425-455-7400
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