Exactly. And because they are dealing with a closed-source solution, there is no direct way of knowing. What's to say an ActiveX component isn't briefing scanning a user's browser cache and reporting that information to an MSFT server. Without a sniffer between the box and the 'net, most people wouldn't be the wiser.
MSFT is just amazing at the depths they will troll to invade a user's privacy. This article only highlights how deep MSFT has their hand up the proverbial *** of the end-user. Data-mining a user's browsing cache? Are you serious? If they can read from the browser cache, what ELSE can they do? And how far will they go? If Joe User has been surfing pr0n sites and accidently comes across something he should see, will MSFT know about it? Will they inform the authorities?
With Microsoft's recent advertising acquisition, will they use this technology to data-mine and serve up targeted advertisements? If they know Joe User is browsing car sites, will they serve up GM ads because GM is an MSFT partner? Will those ads overlay or replace existing ads from other companies? Don't believe it can't happen. We just had a link a day or so ago about spyware doing it.
I cringe everytime I see a computer running an MSFT operating system now. Seriously.
This almost sounds like a dying man gasping for air. Sales from Vista (despite tainted projections) aren't nearly as high as expected. Widespread adoption isn't happening (companies and Federal agencies are shunning Vista for now). MSFT has had to turn up the screws on piracy to recoup lost dollars. Cue the OSS FUD about patent infringement that allows MSFT to squeeze Fortune 100 companies for cash. Now this -- MSFT's attempt to be the identity manager of the Internet.
Not on my computers on my networks. Not now. Not ever.
These merchants, Netflix, Blockbuster and others signed with people with very low ethical standards. These spyware vendors install software without consent, fool people, irritate people with pop-ups etc. And these companies thought that is how they should get their customers. It should not surprise anyone, least of all these merchants, that the spyware vendors use every trick in the book and then some to cheat them and charge fees and commissions. Let them go bankrupt.. Do you really believe BlockBuster sought out a spyware company to perform advertising? If so, that would be a bombshell. A kiss of death for BlockBuster. (How could this be proven?)
I'd wager that BB and NetFlix, when deciding how to spend their advertising dollars were pitched by these "dynamic marketing companies" (aka spyware companies) about new on-line marketing and referrals plans. Once they are notified that they are in bed with spyware companies, I'd wager (am a betting man lol) that they drop the spyware companies ASAP.
"No offense, but isn't that the same as all other types of advertising? If you feel you are getting enough for your money, you buy the advertising. If you don't, you don't."
From what I read, the merchants are paying for advertising results that they would have received for free. That, in turn, forces merchants to spend more money on advertising and ultimately results in higher prices for consumers.
Slashdot Mirror
Will that prosecutor from Law & Order (who's in the TD Ameritrade TV ads) throw the book at the bad guys now?
Hey, you don't have to tell me about ActiveX:
:D
bash-3.00$ uname -a
SunOS phoenix 5.10 Generic_118855-33 i86pc i386 i86pc
I'm just saying for all those still clinging to the Redmond teet.
Exactly. And because they are dealing with a closed-source solution, there is no direct way of knowing. What's to say an ActiveX component isn't briefing scanning a user's browser cache and reporting that information to an MSFT server. Without a sniffer between the box and the 'net, most people wouldn't be the wiser.
MSFT is just amazing at the depths they will troll to invade a user's privacy. This article only highlights how deep MSFT has their hand up the proverbial *** of the end-user. Data-mining a user's browsing cache? Are you serious? If they can read from the browser cache, what ELSE can they do? And how far will they go? If Joe User has been surfing pr0n sites and accidently comes across something he should see, will MSFT know about it? Will they inform the authorities?
With Microsoft's recent advertising acquisition, will they use this technology to data-mine and serve up targeted advertisements? If they know Joe User is browsing car sites, will they serve up GM ads because GM is an MSFT partner? Will those ads overlay or replace existing ads from other companies? Don't believe it can't happen. We just had a link a day or so ago about spyware doing it.
I cringe everytime I see a computer running an MSFT operating system now. Seriously.
This almost sounds like a dying man gasping for air. Sales from Vista (despite tainted projections) aren't nearly as high as expected. Widespread adoption isn't happening (companies and Federal agencies are shunning Vista for now). MSFT has had to turn up the screws on piracy to recoup lost dollars. Cue the OSS FUD about patent infringement that allows MSFT to squeeze Fortune 100 companies for cash. Now this -- MSFT's attempt to be the identity manager of the Internet.
Not on my computers on my networks. Not now. Not ever.
I'd wager that BB and NetFlix, when deciding how to spend their advertising dollars were pitched by these "dynamic marketing companies" (aka spyware companies) about new on-line marketing and referrals plans. Once they are notified that they are in bed with spyware companies, I'd wager (am a betting man lol) that they drop the spyware companies ASAP.
"No offense, but isn't that the same as all other types of advertising? If you feel you are getting enough for your money, you buy the advertising. If you don't, you don't."
From what I read, the merchants are paying for advertising results that they would have received for free. That, in turn, forces merchants to spend more money on advertising and ultimately results in higher prices for consumers.
No question there are bigger issues than just two merchants. One has to start somewhere though. How about Investor Relations at BlockBuster?
Hi Ben, Great work...as usual. Have you notified Blockbuster or Netflix about your findings?