Stealware: Kazaa et al Stealing Link Commissions

goombah99 writes "We all heard about spyware, well now Kazaa, Morpheus and LimeWire are sneaking a new type of nastiness onto your computer, software that - without you even knowing it - redirects commissions for online purchases you make from other vendors you make back to them. For example, if you buy a CD from an affiliate of Amazon.com, say some charity, the software fools Amazon into crediting the commission to Morpheus, not the charity! The story quotes a LimeWire Developer who admits 'While I agree that this is really a bit of a scam, it is a way for us to pay salaries while not adversely affecting our users.' The insidious part is the stealware program remains even if you delete the original P2P software. And you supposedly gave your permission when you clicked through the EULA."

Comments

Spy-ware Free Identical Equivalent

[Anonymous Coward]

I apologize if it's already been said already, but anyone still using creepy KaZaa should switch over to KaZaa-Lite (http://www.kazaalite.com) - the underground spyware free equivalent to KaZaa.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the trick to producing this software was in the EULA - while no one could lawfully alter the KaZaa software itself, they _could_ re-program the KaZaa installer to avoid spy-ware (all of which is normally installed BEFORE KaZaa - they sure have their priorities straight, eh?).

In fact, they're such nice fellas, they even link to AdAware (removes all-known current spyware from your computer, great prog).

Their Business Plan

[McFly69]

1. Create P2P Application. 2. Steal money from charities. 3. ??? 4. Profit!!!

Their Business Plan

[McFly69]

1. Create P2P Application.
2. Steal money from charities.
3. ???
4. Profit!!!

Kazaa Business model...

[BarryReiswerg]

1. Develop p2p software.
2. Steal from charities
3. Profit!!!