RTFM bro

I think it is, it fucks with your internet connection, slows the computer down, might as well just be a fucking virus.

Yes, I might be a virus, as well as it might be an anti-virus, firewall, some server (say apache, mysql etc) or anything else. Good point! :upsidedow

I'm giving up on this discussion. I did a quick search for the phrase "is spyware a virus" and by some people's definition it's not: "By definition no. A virus is intended to harm a computer or network. Spyware is intended to track for advertising purposes."

And I know what cyberxxx is trying to say about the whole "replication" thing as spyware doesn't replicate itself from one computer to another.

Fuck all that nonesense.

It enters a system, unknowingly and unwillingly and by every account "infects" that system. Whatever someone wants to call it, it's a pain in the ass.

:2 cents:

Not correct again. Virus may not harm your computer at all! Some viruses are absolutely harmless, however they have the ability to replicate themselves.

Hey guys, don't try to discuss with a professional system programmer :winkwink:

I know how to write a virus, I know how to write a worm, and I know how to write a spayware. I just don't write them because I'm not crazy. Period.

Hmmm... maybe, OR...


Fraud (misrepresentation of commercial intent) = Felony


Assault* (uninvited trespass of the "body) = Felony *(Obviously not a physical assualt in this metaphor, but the e-equivalent, which would be invasive, aggressive entry with the intent to steal or harm)


:question


The approriate law to address the issue here does NOT YET exist, which is among the reasons I wanted to go through this exercise.

We're facing activities here that are (I think we all agree on this point) crossing lines beyond which the law SHOULD get involved.

What I have discovered by reading the posts in this thread is that many of you ARE distracted enough by the technical differences between Viruses and Spyware to be UNABLE to consider the comparison I intended -- based on effect, not infection vector.

The reason I posed the question as I did is not because I don't understand the difference between the different types of programs -- I do, as well as any of you, I assure you.

The reason I framed the comparison as such is simply because in the case of "Viruses", we (all of us, as prospective plaintiffs) can immediately benefit from the fact that the law has both precedent of action and scope of inclusion, across a broad range of cases. So that if and when we decide we've had enough of what Spyware distributors are doing (and getting away with in the guise of e-marketing), we can rely on the understanding of DENIAL OF SERVICE we have achieved via the pursuit and prosecution of Hackers and e-Virologists. But, to do that, we have to begin to separate the method from the effects.

Let me leave you with this link to the FCC Web site. If I were a prosecuting lawyer, looking for root precedents that I might apply to make a case against someone who had "taken over the TV remote control, and [told me] who [I] can talk to on the phone and who [I] can't..."

I would think of ways to applying this FCC violation to our medium -- Section 301. And that, my friend IS a felony.


j-

Ok, a knife in your back (ass) is also a VIRUS!!! Need more reasons? Ok, here they are:
1) Fuck all that nonesense.
2) It (a knife) enters your body, unknowingly (sometimes you can't see a killer behind you) and unwillingly (no one will willingly put a knife into his back) and by every account "infects" that body.
3) Whatever someone wants to call it, it's a pain in the ass (sure I think that a knife in the ass could cause a real pain :1orglaugh)

well, to be honest, after I made my post I thought about it a little and decided that if I wanted to press the issue I guess kidnapping could be involved in your 4th scenario as well . . . but did not fell it was part of the discussion . . . you got the idea, it is just the level of the crime

Computer Virus is a program or piece of computer code that is installed or executed onto any computing device without the knowledge of the owner and runs against the owner's wishes. Most computer viruses will disrupt or alter the normal operation of the infected computer. Some computer viruses are destructive, permanently damaging data files or programs on a computer.

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/IT/policy/definitions.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Spyware can closely resemble computer viruses, but with some important differences. Many spyware programs install without the user's knowledge or consent. In both cases, system instability commonly results.

A virus, however, replicates itself: it spreads copies of itself to other computers if it can. Spyware generally does not self-replicate. Whereas a virus relies on users with poor security habits in order to spread, and spreads so far as possible in an unobtrusive way (in order to avoid detection and removal), spyware usually relies on persuading ignorant or credulous users to download and install itself by offering some kind of bait. For example, one typical spyware program targeted at children, Bonzi Buddy, claims that:

He will explore the Internet with you as your very own friend and sidekick! He can talk, walk, joke, browse, search, e-mail, and download like no other friend you've ever had! He even has the ability to compare prices on the products you love and help you save money! Best of all, he's FREE! [1] (http://www.bonzi.com/bonzibuddy/bonzimail.asp)
A typical piece of spyware installs itself in such a way that it starts every time the computer boots up (using CPU cycles and RAM, and reducing stability), and runs at all times, monitoring Internet usage and delivering targeted advertising to the affected system. It does not, however, attempt to replicate onto other computers ? it functions as a parasite but not as an infection. [2] (http://www.spywareguide.com/product_show.php?id=512)

A virus generally aims to carry a payload of some kind. This may do some damage to the user's system (such as, for example, deleting certain files), may make the machine vulnerable to further attacks by opening up a "back door", or may put the machine under the control of malicious third parties for the purposes of spamming or denial-of-service attacks. The virus will in almost every case also seek to replicate itself onto other computers. In other words, it functions not only as a parasite, but as an infection as well.

The damage caused by spyware, in contrast, usually occurs incidentally to the primary function of the program. Spyware generally does not damage the user's data files; indeed (apart from the intentional privacy invasion and bandwidth theft), the overwhelming majority of the harm inflicted by spyware comes about simply as an unintended by-product of the data-gathering or other primary purpose.

A virus does deliberate damage (to system software, or data, or both); spyware does accidental damage (usually only to the system software). In general, neither one can damage the computer hardware itself (but see CIH virus). Certain special circumstances aside, in the worst case the user will need to reformat the hard drive, reinstall the operating system and restore from backups. This can prove expensive in terms of repair costs, lost time and productivity. Instances have occurred of owners of badly spyware-infected systems purchasing entire new computers in the belief that an existing system "has become too slow." Technicians who hear complaints about a computer "slowing down" (as opposed to "becoming outdated") should probably suspect spyware.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware...re_and_viruses

While spyware and virus carry slightly different definitions they are spoken about under the same breath.

:1orglaugh Dude, you're a systems programmer and comparing knife attacks to a computer virus. :winkwink: Here's my thought; if it looks like a virus and acts like one I'll call it one. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.

In regard to 2HousePlague's point he was trying to make, I think it's an interesting point. I'd also go off topic and say email spammers should be penalized in much the same way harmful virus writers are penalized - all the billions spent on spam control, bandwidth, individual's time sorting through it, etc. Spam comes into my email box unwanted and sometimes crashes the email client, much like harmful, unwanted programs crashing my system.

[/end off topic]

50 virus and/or spyware programs

edit: 51

How are we viewing a 'spyware/adware' those annoying "you've just visit a porn site, does your wife and children know? click here to remove all evidence" faux-windows warning boxes.

Is the 'you installed it, your fault' voided if to the uneducated user it was a windows system warning

Wrong! Because they are different. It's like in a real life. For example: Grippe, HIV and Herpes are viruses, Typhus, Anthrax, Plague and Gonorrhoea are NOT VIRUSES. Believe you or not, but it's true. BTW, do you know how they (say Herpes and Plague) are differs? :winkwink:

P.S. Russian educating system still ricks!!!

Spware can easily be labeled as a computer virus when looking at a broad definition.
Definition:

"A parasitic program written intentionally to enter a computer without the users permission or knowledge. The word parasite is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, thus continuing to spread. Though some virus's do little but replicate others can cause serious damage or effect program and system performance. A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system." -Symantec

A functional definition of a computer virus must include the fact that it creates damage to the computer system "infected"; either inadvertently or deliberately. This definition is somewhat simplified and does not cover all virus types, but is sufficient to show the major differences between viruses and so-called "Trojan" programs, which is that the virus replicates, but the Trojan program does not.


http://www.actlab.utexas.edu/~aviva/...us/whatis.html


A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.


http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/v/virus.html



What is a Virus?
A virus is a manmade program or piece of code that causes an unexpected, usually negative, event. Viruses are often disguised games or images with clever marketing titles such as "Me, nude."

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp




Really depends where you look:

http://www.google.com/search?num=100...computer+virus

What the FTC says about Spyware--

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2005/03/050307spywarerpt.pdf

I'm comparing a virus and a knife especially for non-programmers like you just to show all the nonsense of your statement.

Wrong. Spyware doesn't looks and doesn't acts like a virus. HOWEVER, the virus could combine the ability of spyware, as well as it can combine the ability of adware, the ability of file destructor (shredder), the ability of media player (when viruses play some music of show you some animation) etc :winkwink:

Spyware - The "Other" Virus

Thank you -- VERY useful.

Looks like the FTC is looking at exactly the lines I suggested above...



j-

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

As I said above, viruses can bring the spyware modules to your computer, but it doesn't mean that spyware is a virus. It's like a mosquito that could bring a malaria to your blood. But this doesn't mean that malaria is a mosquito. Do you see that I mean?.. ;)

I now declare "spyware" a official virus of the internets.

Nuff said.

Everybody back to work.

Without question, LYNCH THE BASTARDS!!!!!!!

Bring me One person (Just ONE) that thinks getting spyware/malware, or whatever you want to call it, was a good thing, and he/she liked it.
Just bring me ONE!

Yes, cause it slows down every machine.

I hate Spywares.

I wanted to bump this thread to call attention to two maggotware publishers whose programs have been fucking with my computer for more than a week ...

1. Prutect (www.prutect.com), and

2. CoolWebSearch (www.coolwebsearch.com*) *re-directs to www.searchmeup.com.

Check out the prutect.com site -- I think it speaks for itself.

The WhoIs on CoolWebSearch.com identifies one "InterWeb Solutions" as the registrant -- in Tortola -- LOL -- figures.


j-

"you're not welcome in the schoolyard anymore, jimmie" -- works REAL well.

absolutely.