The U.S. Federal Trade Commission continues to pursue spyware purveyors for unfair trade practices.

On Thursday, the federal agency announced that a U.S. District Court had ordered a suspected spyware ring, using the name Enternet Media, to stop illegal downloads. The group allegedly had offered bloggers free background music downloads for their Web sites, but in reality, installed spyware instead.

"Consumers who download the supposed freeware or security upgrades do not receive what they were promised; instead, their computers are infected with spyware," the FTC said in a statement.

While the FTC actions may not slow the spread of spyware, anything that makes the fraudulent practice less profitable will be welcome by Internet users. Spyware and adware account for more than $2 billion in revenue every year, according to one estimate.

Even if spyware groups are not taking total control of computer users PCs, consumers are quickly getting fed up with companies that secretly install software on their PCs. The latest accusations of unfair practices revolve around media giant Sony BMG Music Entertainment's copy protection software that several "enhanced" CDs install on consumers' systems. The complaints raise the question: Will Sony find itself in the FTC's sights next?