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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."
What?
I have seen packets of it sending the current URL to questionable websites... especially right before it pops up a window.
Spyware, no doubt.
I really hope Microsoft, having recently released that beta of AntiSpyware, gets one of these letters.
iDownload won't even know what hit them.
The coolest voice ever.
IANAL, but a good friend of mine from dear University was able to put himself through law school partly by taking a tidy fee for writing C&D letters for anyone who wanted one sent. He would get a few hundred bucks, and the C&D sender would get a very official looking letter with all the classy latin tags built right in.
Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
The sites being sent these letters should band together and file a counter suit for harrasment. There's clearly enough evidence to support that iSearch/Download are bad juju, and people/sites should not be threatened for making their opinions known.
MHO, of course...
Exactly. Since when have spyware companies admitted that they are, in fact, making spyware/malware? They never admit it even when their programs are outright hijacking computers.
Dvorak on Doomtech
Simply get over it?
While I agree that average Joe user probably should have to take some sort of test before being allowed to purchase a computer, are you suggesting that spyware is no big deal and we should all just get over it?
Do you have any idea how much corporations (i.e. you and me through increased prices on everything from soup to nuts) spend each year to combat this crap?!?
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WARNING: 'ChangeYourToolBar.exe' isn't spyware. It is a program that changes your toolbar with its own custom version, without asking your permission. If you think this is an illegitimate program, please click on the check box to delete.
Now this removes the burden-of-proof from anti-spyware programs, and lets the user decide whether he should keep it or not based on the description.
Kashif
They may decide to go after iDownload for it.
As a Federal Government IT Manager, I have a problem with software that sits on a machine and collects information. Any application that can track a government employee's use of a workstation falls into the espionage law areas.
:)
It would be interesting that as a Federal Agency, we deemed these programs malicious software, and seek Federal action against the companies who make these applications with a C&D of our own. Spyware constitutes spying. Without clear permission from the user, we shoud be fighting these companies on our own front.
Stay tuned.
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter F. Drucker
"Since when have spyware companies followed ethical practices?"
Their lack of ethics allows them to do whatever makes a profit--including using ethical practices! I know, it's a mind bender...
i liked this paragraph...
Further, you agree that you will not initiate, permit, authorize or assist any third party or application to remove the Software from your computer, or disrupt its operation or the operation of any other user. You agree that removal of the Software from your computer will only be performed by you pursuant to the instructions set forth herein.
does this mean that i can't clean up the spywa^H^H^H^H^Hsoftware on my wife's machine for her?
Wave upon wave of demented avengers March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Great link. It should be posted:
iDownload.com, Inc. DBA iSearch Internet provides applications which help to subsidize the free content and product offerings of many publishers. iSearch applications are not spy ware and do not collect any personally identifiable information about users. Additionally, iSearch applications do not hijack home pages, promote obscene material, alter/add items to user's favorites, modify security related settings, prevent security related applications from running, or alter cookies or url's to receive credit for affiliate driven sales.
If you wish to remove the iSearch applications from your computer, you may download our automated removal mechanism.
Please be aware that many so called "ad ware removers" and "spy ware removers" can cause damage to your computer and may alter your computer in such a way that our automated removal application will not function. At the present time, there is no third party software which is capable of removing iSearch applications. If you have purchased an application which claims to remove iSearch, we encourage you to contact your credit card company and request an immediate reversal with the reason of "Product Not As Described" and/or contact the Better Business Bureau.
Gee, and how might they do that? Surely not anything that'll annoy the fuck out of me?
iSearch applications are not spy ware and do not collect any personally identifiable information about users.
No, just everything else. Methinks iDownload doth protest too much - I've never heard a EULA (or whatever) claim NOT to be spyware unless it WAS spyware.
Additionally, iSearch applications do not hijack home pages, promote obscene material, alter/add items to user's favorites, modify security related settings, prevent security related applications from running, or alter cookies or url's to receive credit for affiliate driven sales.
That's a better definition of malware than spyware, though not inclusive regardless.
At the present time, there is no third party software which is capable of removing iSearch applications.
Hm. So, in other words, we've p0wned your box. But we're not spyware, of course not.
If you have purchased an application which claims to remove iSearch, we encourage you to contact your credit card company and request an immediate reversal with the reason of "Product Not As Described" and/or contact the Better Business Bureau.
Uh huh, it's Norton who needs to be reported to the BBB. Not the bunch of assholes who have done everything possible to keep their cancerware on your box.
(N.B.: IANAL)
The UK has a "loser sometimes pays" system, where the courts can make the loser in a civil case pay part or all or the winner's legal costs, but doesn't always make a costs award.
For an extreme example, consider Bruce Grobbelaar's libel action against The Sun newspaper - he was awarded damages of £1, and his legal costs were estimated at £1 million. (Grobbelaar was a football [soccer] goalkeeper who was accused by The Sun of taking bribes to fix matches by letting in goals. Because he didn't actually let in any goals, The Sun had libeled him, but because (in the words of one of the judges) "he had acted in a way in which no decent or honest footballer would act, and in a way which could, if not exposed and stamped on, undermine the integrity of a game which earns the loyalty and support of millions", he got only nominal damages.)
With "loser may pay, but it's not automatic", you get the benefits of loser pays (discouraging frivilous/intimidatory claims) which at the same time not preventing genuine disputes from beign brought to court.
Just for kicks I ran their remover tool. Didnt have any of their "soft-spy-ware" on my box at the time. Guess what... I do now. The removal tool INSTALLS their crap if you dont have it.
Assware is an understatement
Grey