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Spyware Analysis of P2P Software

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the dark-side-to-the-dark-side dept.

rhizome writes "Benjamin Edelman, a PhD candidate in Economics and a Law student at Harvard, has analyzed the hidden (or not) additions to a user's machine when they install some of the major Windows P2P clients. He analyzes the length and readabilty of their licenses, what is revealed or hidden in the software's installer and includes screenshots for illustration. Clear, concise and eye-opening."

2 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. LimeWire safrest. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    LimeWire

    Whereas the Kazaa installer showed so many lengthy licenses, LimeWire is notable for not showing or referencing any license agreement at all. See screenshots below, installing LimeWire without any mention of a license.

    Since LimeWire contains no apparent bundled software, its on-disk presence might be expected to be smaller than its 61 folders and 864 files (the second-largest and largest additions among the programs I tested, as measured along those metrics; though simultaneously the second-smallest in both registry keys and values). My examination of the specific files and folders created by LimeWire reveals the reason for the many additions: More than half the folders created by LimeWire and more than 65% of files were associated with the Java runtime that LimeWire requires. Users who do not otherwise seek to run Java software may see these files as a burden. However, those who already have Java a runtime may not require any of these files or folders, making LimeWire's on-disk burden for such users among the smallest of tested programs.

    My hands-on testing of LimeWire's application yielded only ads promoting the paid version of LimeWire, but no advertising for third-party products.

    This article builds on paid consulting I conducted for LimeWire. I thank LimeWire for their willingness to let me share my findings with the public.

  2. LimeWire disclosure by turnstyle · · Score: 0, Redundant
    Certainly worth noting this, from down near the bottom:

    Disclosures
    This article builds on paid consulting I conducted for LimeWire. I thank LimeWire for their willingness to let me share my findings with the public.

    --
    Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda