The problem of being blacklisted by a security product has spawned a new entrepreneurial activity: Lobbying security companies to become delisted.
Bill Belcamino, a former executive with Miva and Auctiva, has started a new company, called Antivirus Compliance.
The goal of this company is to get companies off the detections of antivirus/antispyware engines, and improve their ratings in places like SiteAdvisor.
He’s proud of his accomplishments:
I personally found the ALOT.com domain, defined all aspects of the new brand, defined the Antivirus Compliance strategy and ultimately delivered the clean ALOT toolbar and homepage solution. I repaired the flagged SuperHoroscopes.com website and worked with McAfee SiteAdvisor to change the RED rating to GREEN to reflect my efforts. I defined and vetted with industry experts the strategy for the cleanup of Screensavers.com (in progress). I have an unblemished track record in this space and am highly confident that I can repeat this process for any challenges that may be in front of your company.
How will being clean impact the bottom line?
As a direct result of my leadership, steady product vision and Antivirus Compliance expertise, the ALOT brand significantly outperforms the legacy Starware brand: RPMLU is 62% higher and retention is 14% improved and revenue growth is phenomenal. Every product success metric is up, while the brand is able to provide a clean, virus free and malware-free user experience.
However, let’s consider that Alot.com, SuperHoroscopes.com and screensavers.com are all owned by Miva — a company without the most perfect reputation (remember Starware?). And let’s remember that Screensavers.com has stuff still listed by quite a few folks.
While my blog headline might have been provocative, it could be argued that Belcamino may be performing a service in helping companies clean up their act. However, I do hope that security companies rely on their own networks of contacts and information to make an informed decision. Ultimately, it’s the user who will be impacted in any de-listing decision.
Alex Eckelberry