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iDownload Tries to Silence Spyware Critics
Doug Muth writes "According to this article over on DSL Reports, yet another spyware author, iDownload, has been sending out cease and desist letters to sites that classify their iSearch toolbar as Spyware. Some research reveals that yes, iSearch really does take over users' computers. A search on Spyware Guide also turns up a writeup on iSearch."
A cease and desist letter doesn't mean much if you're in the right. Anyone can send one. Anyone can sue. Its just being a blowhard.
If it gets into the court system and doesn't get outright dismissed, then its a problem.
iDownload's front page claims that they are spyware free. To put things in perpective, spyware is like farting, the first person to deny it usually did it. If you read further down their list, it says "Certified Virus Free". Have you ever seen software have to claim its virus free? And where exactly do you get this certification, and who certifies it? I want to see the certificate. Its their software dammit, of course its virus free (assuming they were a legit company), just like all commercial software from respectable companies should be.
Regards,
Steve
It's all how you look at it. They believe they provide a service (although inferior, and with more ads), it is a service.
Eventually this is going to happen to legit companies. I make a taskbar icon program. I'll admit it's pretty shitty because it's beta. Also, You see more ads because of using it than not using it... (It links to pages with ads on them.)
Is it spyware/Adware because I want to pay for a work in progress?
Spyware, no doubt.
So today's lesson is: Weasels will turn to the courts to shut up those who would warn the public
funny thing is, it's the same lesson we've been presented before.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Yeah, MS only cares about it's profit margins - big deal, it can join the club of almost every other company in the world.
But its profit margins are going to start being hit if using Windows becomes too unpleasant an experience, and malware is threatening just that for the average user. Hence the interest in spam prevention/filtering, firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software.
It's official. Most of you are morons.
Who needs a crime?
I can sue you for wasting the planet's oxygen. (You're breathing, right?) The court will throw the suit out immediately, but I can file it. This also forces you to defend it, which means hire a lawyer, spend money, etc. It's a form of bullying.
So what it really comes down to is, these slimeballs are saying, "If you call our stuff spyware, we're going to harass you, make your life difficult, and cost you a bunch of money". It's a form of bullying.
Welcome to the United States, home of the "free" (how come we aren't free from this kind of nonsense?)
Plus there's always the chance that iDownload has discovered some obscure bit of legislation or precedent that gives them the upper hand legally. You think the people who write laws and court decisions always have the same view of "fair" as you do?
New Yorker cartoon, showing lawyer talking to client. "Sir, you have a very good case. But before we can proceed, we have to settle one small issue: exactly how much justice can you afford?"
If this outrages you, well, it should. Best way to express this is by contributing to any anti-spyware defenese funds that get organized.
Also from TFA: iSearch is a toolbar that in no way attempts to remain hidden or evade detection.
That's an understatement! iSearch is about as in-your-face as it gets.
Personally, I've never liked the term SpyWare as it seems to focus on a very narrow aspect of the problem (i.e. gathering of personal information). A better, more encompassing term might be "HijackWare". Although AssWare is certainly accurate enough.
I think that any software that resists removal by the end user should be outlawed. True, the user may have volunarily (and probably unknowingly) installed the software. But then actively preventing them from discontinuing use is criminal (IMHO). I certainly can't think of any product that behaves similarly (except perhaps the Happy Fun Ball. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!).
Wanted: witty unique signature. Must be willing to relocate.
Why don't we just nip this in the butt now and label them what they actually are then, viruses. And then lets deal with the makers of them as virus writers. They get what they are asking for (not being labelled 'spyware/foistware/malware'), and we get what we need: these pricks fined into oblivion, and/or reamed in a wee private cell.
No Comment.
How can it be? You can sue anyone for anything these days. All it costs is your soul.
It is a bully tactic...they are betting that the small anti-spyware sites don't have the cash flow to afford the inevitable legal fees. Fortunately, Kyle at [H]ard|OCP was willing to spend a quarter of a million dollars defending his right to have an opinion.
Was that night on the marge of Lake LaBarge I cremated Sam McGee...
Since they object to Spyware, Malwaire, and Foistware, can we call them, instead...
Suck-AssWare?
Um, am I the only one who sees this as silly? If you use a third party application to remove the Software, you violate the EULA, which has the effect of...
...negating your license to use the Software.
How's that again?
Virg