I see a few posts below mention that this software picks up applications such as eMule and TightVNC. I am wondering if Microsoft is going to market this application in an attempt to destroy any and all free / open source software. I refuse to use this software on my system, however I would not be surprised if many free / open source applications are deemed spyware. Anyone else find anything marked as spyware that shouldn't be?
I bet Bill Gates definition of spyware is as follows: "Any software that is real spyware, and any software that those communists use. (erm those GPL commies!)"
What scares me the most is that MS will have more control over what software you have on your computer. Another thought just came to mind.. So you have to validate your OS, so they have your name already in a database when you registered (providing you are using a legal copy) Now if you have P2P software the RIAA / MPAA could subpoena MS for your information. A back door for the industry. MS could use this as leverage to use their technology in the movie/music industry as they have tried and failed in the past.
Maybe I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I see a much bigger picture for this software.
Looking at the comments I can see that everyone's attention span is on par with a dog. Did anyone here actually RTFA? The article obviously is very valid since everyone here is trying to do like 4+ things at the same time and doesn't have the attention span to actually get through the article.
"So far, she's found that the average employee switches tasks every three minutes, is interrupted every two minutes and has a maximum focus stretch of 12 minutes."
Well I guess maybe the article took more than 3 minutes to read for most or they were interrupted by IM, email, coworker, phone, blackberry or whatever else. I don't think I get interrupted every two minutes, but a maximum focus stretch of 12 minutes... that's actually really sad. I'd like to think that I can actually focus on some code for more than 12 minutes on occasion.
Spamhammer sounds like the exact same thing I've been thinking about developing. I haven't had the time to do it though. If you make the code available please let me know (seth at zfusion dot com)
Why is "big media" not picking this up. Seems to me like they want to keep this lawsuit on the "down low" Is this lawsuit not enough to make people think, "hey, wait a minute, maybe my vote was not counted properly on the Diebold system I used." But they don't know about this lawsuit in the first place! I firmly believe the past election was fixed, but I am one person who can't prove anything. The lack of security and lack of software being reviewed by the government really scares me.
I personally don't like the idea of the government using spyware but it is similar to wiretapping. My concerns are the following:
a. Would a corporation (MS) work with the feds to allow this software a backdoor to bypass security and be easily automatically installed on the system?
b. What precautions would be made to make sure this software didn't end up in the hands of others and spyware companies?
c. How are they going to get around more savvy users if firewalls are installed on the systems being monitored?
Not that I am looking to commit any crimes, but from things I've seen in the news lately, I worry about the future US government or any government abusing it's powers. On another note.. from what I hear about China, I could imagine hearing about the government there trying to implement this on all systems to try to make sure the average citizen isn't exposed to anti-communistic web material.
I once worked for an internet provider that assigned completely random 8 character passwords to all client accounts. We had few complaints about it. I'm actually surprised that we didn't have more complaints. I think it all comes down to the simple fact that people are just downright lazy. Where I work about 90% of the employees passwords are 'password' which drives me nuts. All password authentication methods should be written to not accept "dumb" passwords.
On another note, I once was asked by a lady that wanted to be refered to as Dr. Jane Doe (I don't remember the exact name) and I was asked "Is it the zero next to the nine or the one next to the "p"?" I repeated what she said cause I didn't get what she was talking about. Everyone else in the room started cracking up. I had to put her on hold.
Anyway.. I have about 6 or 7 different passwords. Sometimes I can't remember so I go through each one, then I have to go back through them cause I'm not perfect and I typed it wrong. When it comes to any device to help secure a system, I'm not sold on any yet cause it's easy to walk off with someone else's possessions even a finger if necessary. A device and a password would not make me feel any more secure. I personally would feel less secure if I had a pin number and a securid cause it's easier for someone to watch me type in numbers.
I'd love to get sued by a spyware/malware company for removing their software from my computer that was not installed with my concent. I would consider it to be such a joke that I wouldn't bother to hire a lawyer. All I would say to the Judge: "Ok, there is me, the ethical and moral citizen. And there is Mr. Spyware the unethical and immoral corrupt business man. If I should be forced to use his software then I should be compensated for it. I want Mr. Spyware to pay me $100 USD for every Ad popup and $1,000 USD for every time I click on an ad."
I can't wait for the spyware / malware wars. All spyware that has it's own spyware removal built in. I can see it now, MS windows more secure due to spyware / malware lockdown. Spyware companies patching IE to prevent other spyware from installing itself. No system would be infected by more than one piece of spyware. The average computer user would be better off than they are now. Not that I am trying to say that I support spyware, just that the average user wouldn't have as many problems with their computers.
One time my work computer got hit with some spyware from a website I went to. I tracked the software back to a guy in Jersey about 2 hours from NYC where I am. I even called his company to see if he existed. His software overwrote Windows Media Player so that every time WM Player was run it would reinstall itself and popup an ad serving window. I was so tempted to go there with a baseball bat and break his legs. Instead I made a complaint to the company hosting his servers with all the proof, however I didn't follow up.
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WTF, Can someone please explain to me why I was modded down? Do I not have a valid point here?
I see a few posts below mention that this software picks up applications such as eMule and TightVNC. I am wondering if Microsoft is going to market this application in an attempt to destroy any and all free / open source software. I refuse to use this software on my system, however I would not be surprised if many free / open source applications are deemed spyware. Anyone else find anything marked as spyware that shouldn't be?
I bet Bill Gates definition of spyware is as follows: "Any software that is real spyware, and any software that those communists use. (erm those GPL commies!)"
What scares me the most is that MS will have more control over what software you have on your computer. Another thought just came to mind.. So you have to validate your OS, so they have your name already in a database when you registered (providing you are using a legal copy) Now if you have P2P software the RIAA / MPAA could subpoena MS for your information. A back door for the industry. MS could use this as leverage to use their technology in the movie/music industry as they have tried and failed in the past.
Maybe I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I see a much bigger picture for this software.
Now I can build my robot. My Girl robot. It's going to be the best prom ever.
Looking at the comments I can see that everyone's attention span is on par with a dog. Did anyone here actually RTFA? The article obviously is very valid since everyone here is trying to do like 4+ things at the same time and doesn't have the attention span to actually get through the article.
... that's actually really sad. I'd like to think that I can actually focus on some code for more than 12 minutes on occasion.
"So far, she's found that the average employee switches tasks every three minutes, is interrupted every two minutes and has a maximum focus stretch of 12 minutes."
Well I guess maybe the article took more than 3 minutes to read for most or they were interrupted by IM, email, coworker, phone, blackberry or whatever else. I don't think I get interrupted every two minutes, but a maximum focus stretch of 12 minutes
Spamhammer sounds like the exact same thing I've been thinking about developing. I haven't had the time to do it though. If you make the code available please let me know (seth at zfusion dot com)
Why is "big media" not picking this up. Seems to me like they want to keep this lawsuit on the "down low" Is this lawsuit not enough to make people think, "hey, wait a minute, maybe my vote was not counted properly on the Diebold system I used." But they don't know about this lawsuit in the first place! I firmly believe the past election was fixed, but I am one person who can't prove anything. The lack of security and lack of software being reviewed by the government really scares me.
I personally don't like the idea of the government using spyware but it is similar to wiretapping. My concerns are the following:
.. from what I hear about China, I could imagine hearing about the government there trying to implement this on all systems to try to make sure the average citizen isn't exposed to anti-communistic web material.
a. Would a corporation (MS) work with the feds to allow this software a backdoor to bypass security and be easily automatically installed on the system?
b. What precautions would be made to make sure this software didn't end up in the hands of others and spyware companies?
c. How are they going to get around more savvy users if firewalls are installed on the systems being monitored?
Not that I am looking to commit any crimes, but from things I've seen in the news lately, I worry about the future US government or any government abusing it's powers. On another note
I once worked for an internet provider that assigned completely random 8 character passwords to all client accounts. We had few complaints about it. I'm actually surprised that we didn't have more complaints. I think it all comes down to the simple fact that people are just downright lazy. Where I work about 90% of the employees passwords are 'password' which drives me nuts. All password authentication methods should be written to not accept "dumb" passwords.
.. I have about 6 or 7 different passwords. Sometimes I can't remember so I go through each one, then I have to go back through them cause I'm not perfect and I typed it wrong. When it comes to any device to help secure a system, I'm not sold on any yet cause it's easy to walk off with someone else's possessions even a finger if necessary. A device and a password would not make me feel any more secure. I personally would feel less secure if I had a pin number and a securid cause it's easier for someone to watch me type in numbers.
On another note, I once was asked by a lady that wanted to be refered to as Dr. Jane Doe (I don't remember the exact name) and I was asked "Is it the zero next to the nine or the one next to the "p"?" I repeated what she said cause I didn't get what she was talking about. Everyone else in the room started cracking up. I had to put her on hold.
Anyway
I'd love to get sued by a spyware/malware company for removing their software from my computer that was not installed with my concent. I would consider it to be such a joke that I wouldn't bother to hire a lawyer. All I would say to the Judge: "Ok, there is me, the ethical and moral citizen. And there is Mr. Spyware the unethical and immoral corrupt business man. If I should be forced to use his software then I should be compensated for it. I want Mr. Spyware to pay me $100 USD for every Ad popup and $1,000 USD for every time I click on an ad." I can't wait for the spyware / malware wars. All spyware that has it's own spyware removal built in. I can see it now, MS windows more secure due to spyware / malware lockdown. Spyware companies patching IE to prevent other spyware from installing itself. No system would be infected by more than one piece of spyware. The average computer user would be better off than they are now. Not that I am trying to say that I support spyware, just that the average user wouldn't have as many problems with their computers. One time my work computer got hit with some spyware from a website I went to. I tracked the software back to a guy in Jersey about 2 hours from NYC where I am. I even called his company to see if he existed. His software overwrote Windows Media Player so that every time WM Player was run it would reinstall itself and popup an ad serving window. I was so tempted to go there with a baseball bat and break his legs. Instead I made a complaint to the company hosting his servers with all the proof, however I didn't follow up.