Bing Cashback Can Cost You Money

paltemalte writes "Microsoft and various retailers have teamed up to bring you cashback on purchases made via Bing's price comparison feature. There is a little snag, though — it seems that when you have a Bing cookie living in your browser, some retailers will quote you a higher price than if you come with no Bing cookie in your system."

Comments

Transcribed PDF from Microsoft Legal

[Ethanol-fueled]

Looks like Microsoft already tried to silence him. Here's a partial transcript of the letter sent to him from Microsoft legal after a prior post:

"This firm represents Microsoft blah blah blah you're violating our rights.

Specifically, at this site you are providing information directing users how to misuse the Microsoft Bing Cashback program through unauthorized technical means. Further, on this website you admit that you have personally misused the Cashback program in this regard. Microsoft believes that your actions and the direction that you are providing to others regarding this method of misuse violates various laws relating to computer intrusion, unauthorized access and unauthorized use of information. For example...directing users how to misuse the Cashback program constitutes a knowing and unpermitted access of data in order to wrongfully obtain money and is also unpermitted assistance in providing a means of accessing a computer, system, or network in violation of California Penal Code S502(c)*. This conduct would also violate provisions of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Fraud and Related Activity in Connection With Access Devices, and common law principles under state law.

Microsoft views the misuse of its programs...cease and decist...blah blah...."

Looks like they're taking cues from Best Buy.

* CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE 502(c) "COMPREHENSIVE COMPUTER DATA ACCESS AND FRAUD ACT"
(1) Knowingly accesses and without permission alters, damages, deletes, destroys, or otherwise uses any data, computer, computer system, or computer network in order to either (A) devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud, deceive, or extort, or (B) wrongfully control or obtain money, property, or data.

Hmm, so Microsoft isn't trying to wrongfully control or obtain money? Last I checked, the class-action against Best-Buy was approved. Posting a blog post is tantamount to being an elite hacker who broke into a network and stole trade secrets or money?

Please HELP MISSING PESON !!

[Anonymous Coward]

Please Help Us With this Missing Person:

  http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1629/1113mssingpersonmugshot.jpg

If You Have Information, Please See the Contact Here:

  http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/13/missing-persons-singer-finds-herself-in-jail/

it's ethanol-fueled, dumbfuck

[Anonymous Coward]

YHBT, YHL.

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[Anachragnome]

Meh. Karma is over-rated.

I've had "excellent" karma for a couple years now and I STILL get modded "Troll".

Re:I think I speak for us all when I say...

[recoiledsnake]

I think you speak for all the modpoint-milking karma whores...

Re:Hehe

[Anonymous Coward]

The Protestanrings Reformation inspired a literal interpretation of the Bible, with concepts of creation that conflicted with the findings of an emerging science seeking explanations congruent with the mechanical philosophy of René Descartes and the empiricism of the Baconian method. After the turmoil of the English Civil War, the Royal Society wanted to show that science did not threaten religious and political stability. John Ray developed an influential natural theology of rational order; in his taxonomy, species were staticengagement rings and fixed, their adaptation and complexity designed by God, and varieties showed minor differences caused by local conditions. In God's benevolent design, carnivores caused mercifully swift death, but the suffering caused by parasitism was a puzzling problem. The biological classification introduced by Carolus Linnaeus in 1735 also viewed species as fixed according to the divine plan. In 1766, Georges Buffon suggested that some similar species, such as horses and asses, or lions, tigers, and leopards, might be varieties descended from a common ancestor. The Ussher chronology of the 1650s had calculated creation at 4004 BC, but by the 1780s geologists assumed a much older world. Wernerians thought strata were deposits from shrinking seas, necklaces & pendantsbut James Hutton proposed a self-maintaining infinite cycle, anticipating uniformitarianism

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[inode_buddha]

Looks like you got your wish. I'm sure there's a beowulf cluster working on it as I write. Maybe next time you should invoke Natalie Portman naked and petrified with hot grits.

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[LordAndrewSama]

well, looks like you got what you were expecting. :)

and to stay on topic

Is it legal/possible to use the cashback and wipe the cookie? I haven't RTFA or anything, but it sounds like they're profiting purely from users not knowing about cookies, and they have no legal recourse if someone edits/deletes a cookie on their own machine?

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[roguetrick]

Hey guys, can I join the Karma Killing Party!

Re:Hehe,Christmas gift,shoes,handbags,Tshirts,etc

[coolforsale123]

http://www.coolforsale.com/ Dear ladies and gentlemen Hello, In order to meet Christmas, Site launched Christmas spree, welcome new and old customers come to participate in the there are unexpected surprises, look forward to your arrival. Only this site have this treatmentOur goal is "Best quality, Best reputation , Best services". Your satisfaction is our main pursue. You can find the best products from us, meeting your different needs.Ladies and Gentlemen weicome to my coolforsale.com.Here,there are the most fashion products . Pass by but don't miss it.Select your favorite clothing! Welcome to come next time ! Thank you! ugg boot,POLO hoody,Jacket,Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33,Nike shox(R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $35,Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&g) $35,Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16,free shipping Thanks!!! Advance wish you a merry Christmas.