Slashdot Mirror
Spyware Critics Respond to iDownload/iSearch
Paul Laudanski writes "Slashdot ran an article earlier on 'iDownload Tries to Silence Spyware Critics'. Since then, the spyware critics have responded to iDownload: CastleCops, NetRN, and Sunbelt Software. InternetWeek and BroadbandReports have picked up this story as well. Brian Livingston interviewed iDownload's CEO Arlo Gilbert, who claims the letters were a success: "The majority of sites we've contacted have taken down or properly classified iSearch" and "When asked to name some of the sites that had complied, Gilbert answered, "I'm not going to share that information. It would be shooting a gift horse in the mouth."" General overview by Kye-U and Zhen-Xjell."
Talk about mixing metaphors! "Shooting a gift horse in the mouth"?? It should be either "looking a gift horse in the mouth", or "beating a dead horse", but neither of those matches what he's trying to say...
is it Spyware when you click OK?
Is it spyware when you let it stay on your system?
Is it spyware when you let it run?
When does the user take responsibility over what somebody/something else does?
Seriously, it has to do with peoples' rights and how many intentionally do not inform themselves what they do, and their repurcussions involved.
If we applied to what normal people do online (and then blame), what would you say if somebody cashed those "Loan Checks" sent in the mail? Most people know its a acceptance of a loan. Yet, common sense is thrown out the window on the net.
I personally would have gone with something from Back to the Future. He could have said that he told the companies to make like a tree and get out of here.
I mean seriously.. Do you really expect them to create software to stop them?
Wouldn't you, if you were a dirtball, do the same thing?
> "When asked to name some of the sites that had complied, Gilbert answered, "I'm not going to share that information. It would be shooting a gift horse in the mouth."
Yeah, and all the lurkers send me supporting e-mail when I'm the only person taking one side in an argument on Usenet.
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
"Specifically, a recent review of materials disseminated by your company, via the Internet, revealed that your company is falsely disparaging iDowload's [sic] product, iSearch...
....
...
"As we all know, Malware is a phrase within the public conscience [He means 'consciousness.' Ed.] that has a specific meaning.
"Continuing, unlike Malware, iSearch does not gather any personally identifiable information about end users, does not collect data about the user's web usage, does not collect any information entered into web forms, does not share information with third parties, does not send or cause to be sent unsolicited e-mail, and does not install items such as dialers on the end user's computer.
"To the extent you fail to remedy your improper disparagement of the iDownload brand on or before February 15, 2005, we will take all necessary action against your company to protect iDownload from your continuing tortuous conduct [He means 'tortious' or injurious conduct. Ed.]."
Although the writer of the article goes into detail, frankly, iDownload is using semantics to hide the true purpose. Spyware, is software that is installed on a consumer's computer, WITHOUT that consumer's explicit, knowledgeable consent, and DOES NOT serve a proper, useful service for that consumer.
On another note, if they're c-ding people because of 'disparagement' issues, perhaps instead anti-adware vendors simply have a 'suggestion' about the adware in question. Would that change any legal issues?
He went on to say, "I can tell you that we've got positive engagement in critical areas. We're definitely going to grab this bull by the horns of the dilemma, and leverage our synergies with a focus on the future. It's a win-win situation."
I don't like any adware or spyware - period. I run three separate programs (AdAware, SpyBot, and a webroot program) to keep that stuff off of my computer. I understand folks have to make a living but do it differently. I don't mind google adsense ads within pages and stuff like that. It's upfront and a little more honest than some program hiding and collecting data or "helping" me by collecting key strokes and making sure I get the "right kind of ads." It's all bad. Period.
http://www.busyweather.com/
how listing the empty set is like shooting a gift horse in the mouth.
You could have 'iDownload is selling your credit card information to people who want to rip you off' in 5 mile high letters created by manipulating the Northern Lights and there would still be people who downloaded and ran it just to see what all the fuss was about.
Beep beep.
"If we hit this bullseye, this house of cards will fall like dominos... Checkmate!" - Zap Brannigan
I dont want any software i cant remove 100% without it coming back and no more then a few clicks to remove it. I dont want software that tracks what websites i visit, or files i download, whether anonymous or not. I dont want software that can read my cookies, email, keystrokes, or any of my data whether it reports it or not. I dont want software sneaking onto my system, whether its concealed in a 1000 page EULA or not unless i say specificly install this it doesnt belong on my pc. I dont want ant software that can edit any data and transmit data over a network without my permission I consider that spyware/malware, if your software does this stuff it shouldnt be allowed to exist. Unless the user is informed upfront on what it is, what it does, what it modifys, reads, sends, and how to uninstall it in big bold letters.
Maybe he meant to say that it would be like beating a dead gift horse... after, of course, shooting it... in the mouth.
They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
Yes. In my brain, iDownload is now no longer classified as Spyware. It is now Shitware. Please address complaints to brain@luigi30.fl.us.
Seriously. What did they hope to achieve by this? Common people have figured out that "spyware" == "bad" so they have to make up their own terms to get around that? Who do they think they are, Gato^H^H^H^HClaria?
503 Sig Unavailable
The Signature could not be accessed. Please try again later or contact the administrator
Postal Mail:
iDownload.com
1180 Avenue of the Americas
14th Floor
New York, NY 10036
For toll free billing support or if you know your party's extension dial: 1-800-844-5919
AND the leech lawyers
http://www.ssjmlaw.com
4330 South Mopac, Suite 150
Austin, Texas 78735
(Travis & Williamson Cos.)
Telephone: 512-347-1604
Dallas: 214-800-2898
Fax: 512-347-1676
Tell em what you think, IANAL but I think free speech applies to private phone calls.
If in doubt, don't do it. But I am going to tell them what I think.
I bet if they named their product 'iBeEvil' they'd have the same number of installations.
How many joe-blow users read these pop-up install dialogs. "What? iBeEvil? Oh - a security fix from Micrsoft. Yes, install, if it lets me get to what I clicked on."
I get the impression you don't like Microsoft Internet Explorer very much, do you?
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Tell me where I can download ShitAware and Shitbot-Search-And-Destroy? or ShitBlocker? I'll be the first there to download it.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
you guys want to deny that parent is right?
Which sounds a little different now after "The Two Towers"
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Google search for idownload and spyware : 23,100 hits.
Google search for isearch and spyware: 82,400 hits.
Google search for isearch and malware: 17,000
Google search for isearch and shit: 14,900 hits.
Looks like someone shot this dead horse out the barn door, and it is too late to look it in its mouth.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
.. will be something about $600.00 per license violation and millions of lines of infringing code.
I think he really meant tortoise conduct. My system has really been running slow since I installed the thing.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
But iTold you this was the outcome. iKnow you believed that others where men and women of iNtegraty, Since you yourself are one. But iHave found that iNtegraty is not a virtue of the iCentury called 21. The iMoney is all that matters. We have reached to age of Hollywood goes to Washington. iHope we all survive.
I'm sorry, I'm to tired to be witty at the moment so this message will have to do.
Here is a frightening account of iSearch's damage to someone's computer: click here. "Spyware" is too innocuous a term for this. It's not a spy: it is a file assassin.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Why wouldn't it? However, what you cannot do is threaten them, espically with physical force. You are free to tell them their products suck, etc, but don't make any threats. Also, if they hang up on you, respect that and don't call back. If you call repeatedly, that can be harassment.
Funny how he left 'stooge for scumware authors' out of his specialities...
Markie works at the Austin office. You can contact him here: Telephone: (512) 347-1604, Fax: (512) 347-1676, The Overlook at Gaines Ranch, 4330 S. Mopac, Ste. 150, Austin, Texas, 78735
I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Some people call that "telemarketing".
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
click here, an account of where iSearch forced pr0n links on a family computer used by kids.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
And congratulations to you! You win the "conspicuous spelling mistake while calling someone else an idiot" award.
It's my favorite award to award, and seldom has anyone deserved it more!
This bullshit is about enough to make me read at "2" instead of "0". Damn Anonymous Cowards -- it's the absolute second worst feature of Slashdot, behind the Slashcode itself. FYI, GWB "served" until the ANG started drug tests, then he stopped showing up. LOL! No, he wasn't reported as AWOL, but he didn't meet his minimum duty requirements, either. Just because Bush didn't get caught doesn't mean he followed all the rules.
If all this should have a reason, we would be the last to know.
Now, I'm not in the habit of installing programs of ill repute just so I can examine their legality and morality, so bear with me and correct me if I'm in error on any of this.
According to their user agreement, Isearch does some things I would definitely describe as "malware," but does not appear to send personal information to a third party without notice, which I would say is a fairly safe definition of "spyware." It's actions include pop-ups, pop-unders, interstitial ads, redirection of certain URLs and "conveniently without your input" installs additional software (Section 2). The next section states explicitly states that iSearch does not collect personal information, but they and their affiliates may collect anonymous info.
It's clear this program is crap. You are right that users need to take responsibility for what they install. However, while iSearch is truthful about what their program does, they are also attempt to be misleading. They aren't doing anything (as far as I can tell) that is illegal, but it is slimy, lowdown, and rotten and totters on the edge of unethical. They are playing with words and hiding the truth in the abundance of words typical of EULA's to fool users into installing a product they do not want.
Furthermore, the fact that iSearch is not breaking the law does not change the fact that neither are these anti-malware companies. They simply compile lists of distasteful programs and label them as they see fit: adware, malware, spyware, etc. If they're careful to present clear definitions of those terms, they shouldn't even have to worry about iSearch's claim that spyware is a loosely defined term. Then iSearch wouldn't even really have a slander case against them.
This is the measure of how innovative they are. They cannot be constrainted by the old!
emt 377 emt 4
on the subject of cliches rather than mixed-metaphors, but it still applies:
"Paradigm? Proactive? Aren't these just words stupid people use to sound smart? I'm fired, aren't I?"
a) [my least intelligent/valid point] until now, I assumed that Austin had a higher percentage of computer literate legal professionals. Thanks for destroying that Mark.
b) their webpage is frontpage'd. Not even "well" frontpage'd. Yet another company that has their secretary "whip out" something for that internet thing "no-one ever looks at." highly unproffesional in appearance.
c) I couldn't find any partner, much less the attorney in question having any experience or training in internet/software law. and again, the appearance of the site kinda would lead one away from having them involved in such things.
d) I hate pointing it out.. but the lawyer in question looks to be relatively very young. I'd hate to imagine one of the partners handing it off to him as either a "disposal client" (after this client, his career's in the disposal) or equally bad, if they've got a senior partner with any common sense- that someone let him take it to these extremes, destroying their firm's image/reputation.
59,000 hits.
What a breathakingly ignorant post.
I've never once installed spyware knowingly. Have you? Can you claim you've never had it on your system? At what point did it cross over from unknowing to knowing in your world? And I assume we're both advanced users.
What about my mother? Are you suggesting she shouldn't be allowed to own a computer? Or at least she should never complain that someone has maliciously hijacked her computer, because I guarantee you she doesn't know what the hell we're talking about right now.
Jebus.
If a majority of sites altered their stances on this issue, it would be very easy to tell, and utterly absurd to not publicise who they are.
However, to say that yet refuse to state any of the sites that changed, is obviously a lie. He might as well have said what lots of other BSers say when caught making false claims, "errr... I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...".
Oh well, what else do you expect from a purveyor of adware/spyware. Hopefully that scum will end up where he belongs, in a deep dark jail cell that is permanently locked with a busted key superglued in the lock. Along with several dozen spammers.
Ok, new topic worthless /. "wi-taads vill weed zis too-ice" topic with all the storiess abbout some asshole flaming some other assholes and all subsequent stories that are just response flames too and from complete dumbfucks.
][
http://www.ahbl.org/notices/isearch.php
It's a second-level link from here. I'm putting the link in this post because some people may not see it and it's definitely worth reading like all good horror stories are.
I saw that video. 2 out of 5 stars, the film quality was poor, the dialog was just tripe, the DVD encoding not top quality either.
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
Does anybody else remember how Diebold Election Systems had to pay over six figures to a group of ISPs/webhosts who they sent fraudulent cease'n'desists to in order to shut down public debate?
0 04 /10/11/online-policy-group-v-diebold-decision/
e bo ld/
http://blog.jimmywales.com/index.php/archives/2
http://www.eff.org/legal/ISP_liability/OPG_v_Di
This strikes me as being VERY similar to both the Diebold case and various "SLAPP suits" (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). It's all about fraudulently using the courts or threats of same to halt public discussion and debate.
The courts DO NOT like that shit at all.
webmaster@idownload.com
abuse@idownload.com
postmaster@idownload.com
Free of charge, no logging, no IP information logged, you will completely anonymously delivered. I want to make sure the fine folks at the non-spyware idownload website can get the proper feedback on their wonderful something-ware programs. This is for real, all e-mails sent to idownload@knightmb.dyndns.org will auto-forward to those addresses. I consider it a way of saying thanks to the idownload people and I want to connect them with the people that have a word or two to say to them :-)
Another reply to iDownload.com is at www.kazzasucks.com.
The owner of the site is quite the nerve racker. He even dares iDownload to send him a letter.
We also need to find a way to get companies like Thawte to stop issuing certificates to shitware companies.
"The newly born animals are then whisked off for a quick run through a giant baking oven." --heard on Food Network
Tracrouting to isearch.com reveals that they are hosting at http://www.webair.net/
From webair's Acceptable Use Policy:
Accessing Other Computers or Networks without Authorization -- Accessing computers, accounts, or networks belonging to another party without authorization, or in excess of authorization, or attempting to penetrate security measures on another party's computer, accounts, or networks. Such attempts include, but are not limited to, "scamming" (tricking other people into revealing their passwords), "phishing" (tricking other people into revealing their financial information), password theft, and security hole scanning.
Distributing Viruses and Other Destructive Activities -- Sending Internet viruses, worms, Trojan horses; flooding, mailbombing, denial of service attacks, or engaging in any other activity that disrupts the Webair network or any connected network or that interferes with any user's ability to access or use such networks.
To me, it seems that isearch fits both of these. Send your comments to: abuse@webair.net and let them know what you think!
As long as there's going to be self-propagating and/or dubiously installed software abounding, let's see it share all the music and movie files found on the pc with common file-sharing protocols. Plausible deniability for file-swappers and more content to browse. Until they decide to stop attacking their customer base, I say we should fight back. Power to the people!
iDownload claims that their C&D letters were a success. But all these links responding to the C&D letters look like rejections. Is there any evidence that any website anywhere actually responded to iDownload's cease and desist letters by ceasing or desisting anything at all?
Irritable, left-wing and possibly humorous bumper stickers and t-shirts
I didn't care about spyware. Since I use Linux and Firefox, what do I need to worry about. So I didn't really worry. Let the Windows lusers have their popups and misdirected browsers. I didn't really care. Besides, I've been getting $500 a pop for coming in and re-installing people's Windows machines for them (after extracting their important data they never backed up). So why should I have cared about making this illegal.
But once these people go so far as to have lawyers make threats against people exercising the right of free speech to reveal the truth that in many cases the big media will completely miss (look how often they are led to their stories now due to a blog), now I'm pissed off. So now I fully favor the law being passed against spyware. I just hope they don't screw it up like they did with the law against spam.
But I also favor the idea of creating a SLAPP/CE blacklist. Or maybe there is one already I don't know about. In any case, the idea is to block the bastards right at the router. Obviously the first places to block are their web sites and mail servers found in DNS. But being spyware, it most likely is trying to communicate with home base in other ways, too, and may be doing it without the use of DNS. In such cases, the only way to block it is to put in an access-list or null route it. If it is being directed to do things from home base (once it knows you are infected), then null routing may not be enough and an access-list is needed (either deny or use route maps to redirect the traffic). These people need to be cut off at the jugular.
BTW, the biggest reason I want to see this practice be illegal is so in future cases where they try a SLAPP lawsuit, their lawyers can be taken down with them for failure to properly advise their clients. Getting lawyers disbarred, or even jailed, is one of my favorite hobbies I don't get to enjoy anywhere near enough.
now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
California is a SLAPP (stategic lawsuits against public participation) state. I read somewhere that CastleCop is considering a SLAPP counter claim which would result in the original suit getting tossed and costs awarded. SLAPP legislation is intended to protect speech on matters of public interest in circumstances such as this.
I am not saying a SLAPP counter claim would be easy or cheap for CastleCop, but as I understand it SLAPP counterclaims are almost always successful, especially when the SLAPP action concerns pure speech.
We have to INSTALL porn now? I miss the old days when you could just pop it in the VCR.
paintball
but does not appear to send personal information to a third party without notice
Symantec seems to think it does.
Irritable, left-wing and possibly humorous bumper stickers and t-shirts
WAKE UP
Being critical of the misguided economic thinking of this administration doesn't make the AARP a bunch of commie pinko leftwing unamerican bad guys. (OK I'm paraphrasing here). The AARP, after all, is a group that exists for the purpose of advancing the interests of old people. Guess what? Most of us will eventually fit their target demographic. The AARP, like most institutions (except, apparently the US federal government) wants to continue existing and serving its constituents, so they have a vested interest in things that benefit not only current old people BUT ALSO future old people as well.
If the neo-cons actually care about the goals and purposes of Social Security (which I sincerely doubt) they should be welcoming the opportunity to discuss issues on their merits. Instead they resort to name-calling and bullying.
I hope we have the opportunity to discuss this again when you are 65.
IDownload sent out several C&D letters protesting the use of the term scumbags. the CEO of IDownload states "We're not technically scumbags. We're slimeballs. And there's an important distinction to be made."
I see a lot of people complaining about ignorant users who get infected by adware/spyware, again and again, despite being told what to watch out for and things to not do.
What network admins need to start doing is implementing a TOUGH LOVE POLICY, whereby repeat offenders are punished for being stupid/ignorant.
For example, if a user gets himself infected with Spyware more than 3 times, and each time it's determined to be due to stupidity, then he is completely CUT OFF from the network PERIOD. Then, either implement some monetary fine or something that causes PAIN for that user. After X amount of times, if feasible, cut them off permanently.
If a user gets himself infected with Adware more than X times, the same applies, except he's not cut off from the network. Rather some other form of punishment is implemented. Monetary punishments seem to work best.
Then on top of all this, humiliate the repeat offenders by posting their pictures/names on some blackboard for all to see. "Hey look this is the Darwinian candidate of the month!" *giggles*
You put PAIN into this system, and I bet the incidence of spyware/adware at your workplace will declined DRASTICALLY.
eTrade SUCKS
Found this Cease & Desist Order against iSearch/iDownload!!
. ht ml
n de x.php/t10973.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/mm24Feb5/petition
Aswell I found this interesting post and picture of Idownloads Search bar trying to install itself as a Media Player Browser update.... grrr
http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/lofiversion/i
How is parent a troll? Seems right on target to me...
This is pretty typical behavior for spyware/adware.
And I don't think it "damanged" something in the sense that it couldn't be repaired. Look, I'm not defending this crap, but you sound like you've never heard of spyware before.
Get a mac. Honestly.
what spelling mistake?
gullable is a variant of gullible, as is favour a variant of favor (or vice versa)
check m-w.com
iDownload, will get billed for handling each phone call/letter if you indicate you are calling concerning iDownload.
Sunbelt Software are spammers and spam-supporters.
So keep in mind -- as you read what they have to
say -- that they are the enemy.
"Spyware" implies that the program is "spying" on you, which may or may not be true. In fact, this is the excuse that iSearch uses: the iSearch web site claims that their toolbar is not Spyware because it "in no way tracks you or the web sites that you visit."
This obscures the more important fact that there are many other harmful acts that software can do besides just "spying" on users. A more accurate and meaningful name needs to be used for these programs.
Scumware immediately comes to mind.
I said that they were giving in to reactionaries. Where's the connection to me say they were pinkos ?!?!?! None. Nice straw-man argument.
"If the neo-cons actually care about the goals and purposes "
"The AARP, after all, is a group that exists for the purpose of advancing the interests of old people"
That is what they claim, yes....
"If the neo-cons actually care about the goals and purposes of Social Security "
Referring to conspiracy theories that do not connect with reality does not help either. Besides, these ideas of small (NOT radical) privitization were early advocated by Gore and Clinton.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
I was INFECTED by this stuff recently. I had an extremely difficult time removing it from my machine. It would reinstall itself continuiously and had so many roots in my registry it took me hours to weed it all out. When I wrote a letter to the manufacturer. They told me that I should not try to uninstall their software. If I insisted, They would send me an uninstall 'package' taht I could install to remove the installation. The really pissed me off as they wanted me to install more of their software in order to remove the first software.
I didn't bite.
I replied to them that their software had been installed on my machine without my permission and without my knowledge, took over my machine settings and that was wrong. Because of those properties, it was spyware. They got pissy and told me that I was wrong. That it was not spyware and that not utility that I could get off the market could remove their product successfully. They seemed quite proud of that fact.
THe only way I found to successfully remove the infectious dlls and such was to change the security settings on the target executables so that they did not have enough permission to run on a reboot and then reboot the machine and delete all of the dll's and executable you otherwise could not because they were already being actively used.
We pass laws to stop people like this and all they do is find a new way to skirt the law, while the boy down the street, who was just goofing around and made a mistake, gets arrested and sent to jail under that same law. Our approach to fixing these problems is obviously not working. Why does everyone insist on continuing down that road? We write laws that contain templates to check to see if someone is 'bad'. If you fit the template, you are bad and go to jail. The problem is that the bad guys you are really after simply alter themselves just enough, so they no longer fit the template, and skate free. We need to target these people SPECIFICALLY not generically as we are doing now. We are harming people who don't deserve it and curtailing our own freedoms with this method. It is not showing ANY results that matter. Stop the nonsense, PLEASE!
"If we can hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate!"
by any other name is still spyware. In any other aspect of the modern business world, this model of misrepresenting itself, or completely concealing itself, or damaging your equipment, stealing your data, or capturing your information would be prosecuted as the fraud and theft and vandalism that it IS.
Question Authority before IT questions You
How is parent a troll? Seems right on target to me.
A post can be both Troll and right on target -- both Troll and Insightful, Troll and Interesting, Troll and Funny, etc. Being a Troll doesn't necessarily negate the better qualities of a post.
As with people: we are both creatures of light and creatures of darkness. Just ask anyone who's ever hurt the one they love.
-kgj
-kgj
maybe speach is not a variant of speech? but i could be wrong ;)
I forgot what I wanted to say, but honestly, it was important.
When I use essentially the same search, I see 673. WTF?
//Information does not want to be free; it wants to breed.
where is the word speach in the comment he was replying to?
my bad, how i was reading the posts, 'speach' was right above the post.
I forgot what I wanted to say, but honestly, it was important.
Ok, so iDownload isn't 'spyware'. Let's have a vote as to what it is:
John_Chalisque
Please refrain from calling iDownload "shit-eaters". Several species of bacteria use organic waste as their nutrition source. This causes said waste to be decomposed to soil, which is then used by plants as their source of nutrition.
Several species of backteria also live in the human gut, eating the "proto-shit" found there. This is vital for the correct functioning of human digestive system, and the reason why antibiotics can cause stomach problems if measures are not taken to prevent them: they kill not only the disease-causing backteria, but the "shit-eater" bacteria as well.
So, as a summary, shit-eaters are absolutely vital to the correct functioning of both the biosphere and your own body. They perform their dirty job quietly, efficiently and without complaint. They do not deserve to be likened to a bunch of vicious, vile, harmfull parasites like iDownload.
iDownload doesn't eat anyone's shit; they forcibly feed their shit to anyone whey can.
Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.
As a Canadian FedGov IT Manager, SpyWare has been the bane of my existence for a number of years. I recently considered approaching my legal team and a couple of items have come to our attention.
a) Software installed on any government machine without the users knowledge or permission, violates around a dozen Federal laws.
b) Information collected without a proper Privacy disclosure statement, violates Canada's new Privacy Law.
iSearch & iDownload violate both A & B. Their ELUA does not adhere to the proper Federal guidelines with respect to our new Privacy law and it constitutes action.
It's time the little folk stop getting hammered by these inhospitable companies and let big brother do our job. I'm moving forward in the coming months to engage any company that violates A or B.
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter F. Drucker
And they give IE away free. It's like a crack dealer giving free samples. If you're not running a broken IE, why would you pay MS for their "antispyware" product. (I predict it will contain a "phone home" component, thus meeting one of the definitions of spyware itself.) The conflict of interest is stunning. Most consumers will buy it though. Sigh
Interested in a Flash-based MAME front end? Visit mame.danzbb.com
If we applied to what normal people do online (and then blame), what would you say if somebody cashed those "Loan Checks" sent in the mail? Most people know its a acceptance of a loan. Yet, common sense is thrown out the window on the net.
if the loan check looked familiar (like the GUI of most installers, with OK buttons and other "regular" UI objects that are called from the user's OS) then even MORE people would be tricked.
so with this analogy, the "loan check" might look more like a check from your job or a family member, and in my opion is the same kind of deceptive trick, regardless of the fine print.
EULA's and fine print both take for granted that no one takes the time to read them and determine what they mean in layman's terms.
Spyware CEO: Too many good advertising companies are getting out of the business. Too many advertisers aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."
Spyware requires ActiveX. Now of course XP boxes are still vulnerable to viruses and worms that might attack them if unpatched.
sulli
RTFJ.