Spyware, Scumware, Is it a crime?
 

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.

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

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".

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.

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.

:2 cents:

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.

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.

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.

Cheesecake Factory for lunch Rick? ;)

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?

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

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.

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?

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...:helpme