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12/09/2003 05:53:36 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Spyware... SO WHAT?!?
As long as you have firewall and a-v protection, what is so bad about spyware? |
Anecdotal example:
My uncle had some spyware on his machine last week (MyBar) that caused IE to crash whenever it was loaded. Of course because IE is integrated into a lot of things (notably Explorer and Windows Update) his system was in a fair amount of disarray. Thankfully AdAware did the job and sorted it out.
I'm sorry, but spyware has SERIOUS technical issues. |
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12/09/2003 05:55:26 PM · #27 |
I'd like to add to the good advice:
- Make sure you do a Windows Update if you use Microsoft Windows.
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12/09/2003 06:02:58 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by PaulMdx:
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Spyware... SO WHAT?!?
As long as you have firewall and a-v protection, what is so bad about spyware? |
Anecdotal example:
My uncle had some spyware on his machine last week (MyBar) that caused IE to crash whenever it was loaded. Of course because IE is integrated into a lot of things (notably Explorer and Windows Update) his system was in a fair amount of disarray. Thankfully AdAware did the job and sorted it out.
I'm sorry, but spyware has SERIOUS technical issues. |
Sorry, but I stand by my original statement that spyware is harmless. The one you mention (MyBar) is actually classed as a virus, and is included in most anti-virus updates. If people have spyware on their system which is running slowly, the chances are they will have hundreds of items of shareware (which is where the spyware comes from). The resulting mess in the registry is what slows things down. I have spent years in IT support, and do have plenty of experience to back up what I'm saying. And yes, it is imperative that the Windows Updates are kept up to date as well. |
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12/09/2003 06:27:20 PM · #29 |
I see absolutely no good reason to keep spyware on your computer. To support free software? I think not. If ever a file or program that was downloaded without my wishes proved the least bit beneficial or interesting, maybe, but that has yet to happen. Rather, they run constantly, suck up resources, are nearly impossible to configure and are usually just flat out annoying and destructive (pop-ups, etc.)
BALEETED!
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12/09/2003 07:11:46 PM · #30 |
Bobster, spyware can be harmful, it will degrade your system performance, is often poorly written and therefore affects your systems stability. Also you have little/no control of what information it distributes (This can potentially be anything stored on your computer even key presses) and to whom that information is given to.
MyBar maybe classed as a virus by anti-virus companies, but it is still spyware.
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12/09/2003 07:40:23 PM · #31 |
Spyware does report back, by definition it reports back.
Microsoft has been caught doing it, Real Networks and also Comet Cursor to name a few.
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12/09/2003 09:11:55 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by tomlewis1980:
Also you have little/no control of what information it distributes (This can potentially be anything stored on your computer even key presses) and to whom that information is given to.
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i.e. - credit card numbers, passwords, addresses, phone numbers and the list goes on.... |
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12/09/2003 09:38:09 PM · #33 |
| This all sounds very paranoid to me. Microsoft software/os is far more unpredictable and draining on system resources than 99% of all spyware. I use several items of 'freeware' that are useful to me and supported by adware. I don't allow just anything on my system though, but I don't get too paranoid about it either. If spyware does anything harmful to your system, it is classed as a virus by the a-v software makers and removed. Why is spyware any more of a drain on your computer's resources than any other kind of software? People who have loads of spyware also have loads of shareware. The shareware is how the spyware got there. This is the real culprit of slowdown and instability on these machines. |
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12/09/2003 09:41:31 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by Jason:
Spyware does report back, by definition it reports back.
Microsoft has been caught doing it, Real Networks and also Comet Cursor to name a few. |
Yes it reports... but what does it report? Not your name, telephone number, private phone calls, what you had for lunch, etc. Typically they just report what web sites are visited... but they can't trace this down to a particular user... and wouldn't have the time or inclination to anyway. So what if a company has stats on what websites the population as a whole look at? |
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12/09/2003 09:47:38 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Why is spyware any more of a drain on your computer's resources than any other kind of software? People who have loads of spyware also have loads of shareware. The shareware is how the spyware got there. This is the real culprit of slowdown and instability on these machines. |
Because any other kind of software is useful in some way and at least worth the resources it uses up. Spyware does absolutely nothing beneficial.
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12/09/2003 09:50:14 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by mk:
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Why is spyware any more of a drain on your computer's resources than any other kind of software? People who have loads of spyware also have loads of shareware. The shareware is how the spyware got there. This is the real culprit of slowdown and instability on these machines. |
Because any other kind of software is useful in some way and at least worth the resources it uses up. Spyware does absolutely nothing beneficial. |
Spyware is absolutely beneficial. It allows me to use programs for free that I would otherwise have to pay for. |
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12/09/2003 10:19:35 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Originally posted by mk:
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Why is spyware any more of a drain on your computer's resources than any other kind of software? People who have loads of spyware also have loads of shareware. The shareware is how the spyware got there. This is the real culprit of slowdown and instability on these machines. |
Because any other kind of software is useful in some way and at least worth the resources it uses up. Spyware does absolutely nothing beneficial. |
Spyware is absolutely beneficial. It allows me to use programs for free that I would otherwise have to pay for. |
Personally I would dump any softare that installed spyware on my computer like a hot potato. I'll pay for my software upfront, thankyouverymuch.
I don't think we're really talking about quite the same things here either. What I think most folks here are referring to is software such as Gator, ncase, xupiter, etc. These are extremely nasty programs, and are a PITA to get rid of once you have them. They will bog down a machine to the point where it is impossible to get anything done.
The above are a completely different breed than the rather benign spyware that is (knowingly) installed with some freeware.
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12/09/2003 10:29:26 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
I use several items of 'freeware' that are useful to me and supported by adware. |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Spyware is absolutely beneficial. It allows me to use programs for free that I would otherwise have to pay for. |
Even you are getting the two confused. Adware, if used properly, does help the software vendors that use it... though annoying to some end users.
Spyware has no useful purpose except to the companies/individuals using it. There are several flavors of Spyware also, some do as you say, just report back generic information about your habits for general use marketing type stuff. Other flavors can record key strokes and report back very specific information.
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
The shareware is how the spyware got there. |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
When spyware goes over the line, anti-virus definitions are updated to include it. |
What!? You have to be kidding me. It astonishes me that you, as an I.T. person, is actually typing the above remarks. Then to defend it!? I have spent the last three years of my life doing Network/Internet Security specifically and the previous 15 years before that doing every computer related job imaginable. My first job and every thing I have done afterwards has been focused on computers.
Yes, SOME spyware does come in through Shareware programs but because someone repackaged the original program into it. Or a program was written specifically to include it (Kazaa comes to mind). But this is no means the underlying answer to all Spyware installations. Spyware can be installed on your PC just by visiting a website.
Yes, SOME Spyware can be classified as a virus but Spyware is a totally different animal than what virus's are. Sometimes the lines get blurred, but they are different.
(steps back for a second and takes a deep calming breath)
Forgive me if I came across harsh but I have very strong feelings on this. People need to be educated on what happens when they connect their PC's to the Internet and unfortuently everything changes on a daily basis. Do I seem paranoid? Probably. Am I correct to be so? DEFINITELY!
I'll let it drop though. I've said what I wanted to and I see no reason to explain further.
Message edited by author 2003-12-09 22:32:17. |
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12/09/2003 10:31:16 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Originally posted by Jason:
Spyware does report back, by definition it reports back.
Microsoft has been caught doing it, Real Networks and also Comet Cursor to name a few. |
Yes it reports... but what does it report? Not your name, telephone number, private phone calls, what you had for lunch, etc. Typically they just report what web sites are visited... but they can't trace this down to a particular user... and wouldn't have the time or inclination to anyway. So what if a company has stats on what websites the population as a whole look at? |
Whenever something is installed on someones system without authorization or through deceptive practices it is wrong, plain and simple. I understand why many of the shareware vendors are bundling it in their software, but it still doesn't give them the right to deceive the end-user. I also know that a lot of these spyware apps are installed via the Internet/websites where the non-tech-savy folks don't know any better. Someone goes to a website and something pops up and they think they just have to click ok to load the page, when actually they just installed some application.
Now I think people are talking about to different things here too. There is "spyware" which capture and reports information back to someone without authorization or using decptive means, and "adware" which places pop-ups and such on your machine while browsing the Internet. Spyware, I'm totally against, and adware is just annoying.
I could go on and on about this, as I deal with this issue daily. My guys spend hours per week cleaning these damn apps off of our customer's machines.
Anyways..anybody taken any good pictures lately? :-)
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12/10/2003 12:51:31 AM · #40 |
Originally posted by Jason:
something that is trying to execute itself on your PC. |
Until I read this, I had totally forgotten about my past addiction to "Lemmings".
Thanks for the memory. |
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