Spyware, Scumware, Is it a crime? - GoFuckYourself.com

Rick Latona · 03-27-2003, 10:57 AM

Why isn't anyone raising hell about this growing problem???

Kat - Fast · 03-27-2003, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Latona
Why isn't anyone raising hell about this growing problem???

Because most people don't want to pay for anything and will put up with spyware.

Because lots of people don't know what spyware is or what it does.

Triple 6 · 03-27-2003, 11:12 AM

The biggest spyware PERIOD is REALPLAYER, owned by GAY O L.

That thing will automatically start at windows startup without asking your permission, but its hidden out of the running apps menu - its in the process menu. POS sends your surfing habits and who knows what else...

FUCK REALPLAYER

LiveDose · 03-27-2003, 11:12 AM

I imagine it has a lot to do with people agreeing to terms & conditions when they press 'ok' and install freeware or shareware.

It does suck though... Like they say "nothing in life is free".

MattO · 03-27-2003, 11:13 AM

If people don't read EULA's they're asking for it, but I do think the companies that utilize spyware should disclose it a little better.
I make a bunch of extra money cleaning spyware off of people's computers around town, so I like that end of it.

Praguer · 03-27-2003, 11:14 AM

Have a friend who got hit, it was anoying for him surfing with windows popping every five minutes, he tried to get rid off the programs but their uninstall.exe does not work. Everytime he tries gets a message about an error in the network connection.

I would not buy at all anything coming up from a thing like that.

Rick Latona · 03-27-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LiveDose
I imagine it has a lot to do with people agreeing to terms & conditions when they press 'ok' and install freeware or shareware.

It does suck though... Like they say "nothing in life is free".

Hold on now. I'm not talking about what the software does to the consumer. I'm talking about what it does to the webmasters. One in 25 of our site visitors get popped by 10 windows. They may not come back because they think we are the ones popping them. And I lost revenue. This is the issue. And it could be happening to you. These programs will cover ads on your sites with the ads that put money in the spyware companies pockets.

NetRodent · 03-27-2003, 11:17 AM

The debate comes down to who should control what the surfer sees: the publisher or the surfer. If the surfer is aware of what the software he/she is installing does, there's nothing wrong with it. On the other hand if spyware/adware is installed that the user isn't aware of, that's rather sleazy.

Praguer · 03-27-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NetRodent
The debate comes down to who should control what the surfer sees: the publisher or the surfer. If the surfer is aware of what the software he/she is installing does, there's nothing wrong with it. On the other hand if spyware/adware is installed that the user isn't aware of, that's rather sleazy.

I am affraid that in most cases the surfer do not have the faintest idea of what is installing on their computers when downloading some cool free software.

People will sooner or later learn to read the TOS. It reminds me the early days of the dialers.

Lane · 03-27-2003, 11:36 AM

it's all in the TOS
you agree before you install

but i think they should force those companies to make a lite version without spyware. kinda like redhat offering their OS for free, but you gotta look carefully to find the link on their webpage, or u'll think you have to pay that $80 for it.

Kimmykim · 03-27-2003, 11:41 AM

Cheesecake Factory for lunch Rick? ;)

Rick Latona · 03-27-2003, 12:10 PM

The debate has nothing to do with the surfer or the software owner, in my strong and aggrevated opinion. What gives the software owner and the surfer the right to enter into a deal through the TOS to modify the surfing experience on my or your website?
Are you saying that it is ok for Toys-R-Us to put a table up in the the Wal-Mart toy section if Wal-Mart and the store patron were cool with it?

corvette · 03-27-2003, 12:25 PM

hmmm, at first glance, i thought that you were referring to this, a link posted by Dr. Guile a while back.

where the software changes the cookie to their own referral code

Mutt · 03-27-2003, 12:47 PM

so make it a policy when you sell advertising that sponsors cannot be downloading spyware and other junk. TGP barons have all sorts of tough rules, programs will ban your ass if you break some of their rules, linklists have rules.

Rick Latona · 03-27-2003, 02:26 PM

Edit:

The debate has nothing to do with the surfer or the software owner, in my strong and aggrevated opinion. What gives the software owner and the surfer the right to enter into a deal through the TOS to modify the surfing experience on my or your website?
Are you saying that it is ok for Toys-R-Us to put a table up in the the Wal-Mart toy section if Toys-R-Us and the store patron were cool with it?

LiveDose · 03-27-2003, 02:39 PM

I see what you're saying Rick. A while back I remember there was a program modifying computer host files and I think adult.com or GFY was one of the many sites effected. I believe Lens was forwarding it to counsel. It would be interesting to hear what came of that.

What was the name of that program/plugin that came out a few years ago that essentially allowed the users to write stuff on webpages they visited? Then others with the same program could see it too...

View Poll Results: Spyware, Scumware, what do you think of it?
It is like setting up a table in someone else's store and selling your own items. Thus, it should be illegal.	18	85.71%
Hey, if it makes money why not?	3	14.29%
I don't understand and recognize that I need to learn quickly	0	0%
I have no opinion therefore no sense of what is right or wrong	0	0%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

03-27-2003, 10:57 AM	#1
Rick Latona The Best Ideas Start Here Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,037	Spyware, Scumware, Is it a crime? Why isn't anyone raising hell about this growing problem??? __________________ Regards, Rick Latona http://latonas.com Latona's - We Sell Money Making Web Properties Note to buyers of websites and traffic: please check our inventory at http://latonas.com/websites-for-sale. If you would like to make an offer on something, just let me know.

03-27-2003, 11:12 AM	#3
Triple 6 Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: isN'T everything Posts: 5,394	The biggest spyware PERIOD is REALPLAYER, owned by GAY O L. That thing will automatically start at windows startup without asking your permission, but its hidden out of the running apps menu - its in the process menu. POS sends your surfing habits and who knows what else... FUCK REALPLAYER __________________ SIG TOO SMALL! Maximum 1200x600 button and no more than 30 text lines of ALL SIZES and COLORS. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 6240x4800 instead of a 1024x800.

03-27-2003, 11:12 AM	#4
LiveDose Show Yer Tits! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere Out there... Posts: 25,792	I imagine it has a lot to do with people agreeing to terms & conditions when they press 'ok' and install freeware or shareware. It does suck though... Like they say "nothing in life is free". __________________ Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal

03-27-2003, 11:14 AM	#6
Praguer Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Prague, CZ Posts: 991	Have a friend who got hit, it was anoying for him surfing with windows popping every five minutes, he tried to get rid off the programs but their uninstall.exe does not work. Everytime he tries gets a message about an error in the network connection. I would not buy at all anything coming up from a thing like that. __________________ High Quality-High Definition Adult Content ICQ: 348740763

03-27-2003, 11:13 AM	#5
MattO The O is for Oohhh Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: AUSTIN TEJAS Posts: 10,861	If people don't read EULA's they're asking for it, but I do think the companies that utilize spyware should disclose it a little better. I make a bunch of extra money cleaning spyware off of people's computers around town, so I like that end of it.

03-27-2003, 11:17 AM	#8
NetRodent Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: In the walls of your house. Posts: 3,985	The debate comes down to who should control what the surfer sees: the publisher or the surfer. If the surfer is aware of what the software he/she is installing does, there's nothing wrong with it. On the other hand if spyware/adware is installed that the user isn't aware of, that's rather sleazy. __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." --H.L. Mencken

03-27-2003, 11:36 AM	#10
Lane Will code for food... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 8,496	it's all in the TOS you agree before you install but i think they should force those companies to make a lite version without spyware. kinda like redhat offering their OS for free, but you gotta look carefully to find the link on their webpage, or u'll think you have to pay that $80 for it. __________________

03-27-2003, 11:41 AM	#11
Kimmykim bitchslapping zebras!!!!! Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: In a shack by the beach Posts: 16,015	Cheesecake Factory for lunch Rick? ;)

03-27-2003, 12:10 PM	#12
Rick Latona The Best Ideas Start Here Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,037	The debate has nothing to do with the surfer or the software owner, in my strong and aggrevated opinion. What gives the software owner and the surfer the right to enter into a deal through the TOS to modify the surfing experience on my or your website? Are you saying that it is ok for Toys-R-Us to put a table up in the the Wal-Mart toy section if Wal-Mart and the store patron were cool with it? __________________ Regards, Rick Latona http://latonas.com Latona's - We Sell Money Making Web Properties Note to buyers of websites and traffic: please check our inventory at http://latonas.com/websites-for-sale. If you would like to make an offer on something, just let me know.

03-27-2003, 12:25 PM	#13
corvette Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: scottsdale Posts: 7,880	hmmm, at first glance, i thought that you were referring to this, a link posted by Dr. Guile a while back. where the software changes the cookie to their own referral code __________________ If you need a good company for check writing services, then check out checkissuing, and for webhosting, check out Phoenix NAP

03-27-2003, 12:47 PM	#14
Mutt Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 34,431	so make it a policy when you sell advertising that sponsors cannot be downloading spyware and other junk. TGP barons have all sorts of tough rules, programs will ban your ass if you break some of their rules, linklists have rules. __________________ I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!

03-27-2003, 02:26 PM	#15
Rick Latona The Best Ideas Start Here Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,037	Edit: The debate has nothing to do with the surfer or the software owner, in my strong and aggrevated opinion. What gives the software owner and the surfer the right to enter into a deal through the TOS to modify the surfing experience on my or your website? Are you saying that it is ok for Toys-R-Us to put a table up in the the Wal-Mart toy section if Toys-R-Us and the store patron were cool with it? __________________ Regards, Rick Latona http://latonas.com Latona's - We Sell Money Making Web Properties Note to buyers of websites and traffic: please check our inventory at http://latonas.com/websites-for-sale. If you would like to make an offer on something, just let me know.

03-27-2003, 02:39 PM	#16
LiveDose Show Yer Tits! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere Out there... Posts: 25,792	I see what you're saying Rick. A while back I remember there was a program modifying computer host files and I think adult.com or GFY was one of the many sites effected. I believe Lens was forwarding it to counsel. It would be interesting to hear what came of that. What was the name of that program/plugin that came out a few years ago that essentially allowed the users to write stuff on webpages they visited? Then others with the same program could see it too... __________________ Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal