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real cute, isn't it?
CNET privacy
IMHO, we should be able to opt in per site rather than having to opt out on everything.
One subscribes to ONE something and gets tracked by hundreds...
I think I'm gonna be a firm disbeliever in web anonymity, even when anonymisers exist.
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Please remember, it's FREE advice! Let the world know what worked so we can learn.
Kind regards, Jaak
Thanks Jaak,
I don't go to CNET much anymore except occasionally the download center. They seem to use every anti-privacy trick in the book. I use to use the CNET catch-up services until one day I heard that they keep a record of all the programs on your hard drive and to make matters worse, they tried to have me download an outdated windows file that Catch-up said I needed. I already had a newer version installed.
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I want my Win98 Emachine back !!!
MAXXIMILIAN'S
Hey max,
just curious...how did they do that(details).the reason i ask is i use cnet often and have had no problem...i think.
i have downloaded some things and it wouldnt install do to newer files on my system,other then that its been a godsend.and i havent noticed antiprivacy tricks...please enlighten me.
p.s.
congrats on Lazaras' birth!what a feeling,huh. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Read the link that Jaak posted Ironwalker, It says that they track everything you own and share it with the world. I don't know why the call it a privacy policy it's more of a publicity policy.
What aer these Invisable GIF's that they refer to? They're new to me.
DA
OK...
i read the policy through the link,and when i registerd with them.i gave them personal info as i do with most,if not all sites that require registration,like this site.
i also,sometimes,choose a newsletter or two to be emailed to me.sometimes i allow them to send my email to other sites.sometimes i just send the personal info and nothing else is checked .ive been doing this for a couple of years and have not recieved mail,email,phonecalls,or bills that i didnt want or expect.
well now that ive been writing this, something did occur a month ago...
my long distance provider was cancelled and a new provider was given(more expensive)without my permission.
a month later when the bill came,i was dumbfounded and was on the phone for hours,being directed to 4 diffrent providers.thats how many hands my crap went through.
after getting $120 credited to my phone bill,i lashed out at my origional long distance provider as to why they switched me without my permission.no answer.i wouldve dropped them but they are the cheapest.i still say that the new provider was there company also.
back to the topic;
other than getting harmless email that i delete anyway if its of no interest,than whats the harm.
btw, that new provider said i filled out a trial application online...i never did that.
i still think someone played a childish prank,(am not blameing internet sites).
am i naive? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
some thoughts and facts could be helpful to my internet wellbeing!
Hi ironwalker,
If you sign up for CNET catch-up services, like I did, whenever you use the service, CNET scans your system for ALL installed software. Now this isn't done, on the sly. That's how the thing works and you know that going in. But they shouldn't be hanging onto that information or giving it out. Also, on the technical side, installing an outdated file could cause problems if it isn't caught. Just my opinion, but there other sites out there that don't do what CNET does in terms of privacy, and you can get the same information.
If you don't use the service by installing their Catch-up program then they can't scan your system. Sorry if I gave the impression that just by visiting CNET or downloading something from the download center, that this scanning occurs. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Hope I understood what you were asking for. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
MAXXIMILIAN'S
[This message has been edited by maxximilian (edited 07-20-2001).]
I understand what you are saying but is it threatening to my system,i mean i wont download something i dont want or need because it tells the version # i have and the # they have available for download...sometimes a pay to recieve upgrade,most of the time not.im not arguing there procedure or why(help pay for the site byselling this info)they do this...but does it matter or is it just paranoia.
are they going to erase me so to speak?
i just want to understand facts and opions.
maybe im naive to something i should be concerned about.
know any similar programs that do the same thing with out the bull****??? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
[This message has been edited by ironwalker (edited 07-20-2001).]
Ironwalker,
I'm probably over-reacting to something like this. I'm a privacy freak where the internet is concerned. They won't do any real harm with the information collected about my hard drive except maybe tell an advertiser that Maxx likes to play MYST, or he uses Macromedia products. So the next time I visit, instead of showing me ads from travel agents, they might show me a gaming site or a graphics program. Extremely minor, I know, but it is a slippery slope when you start collecting data on individuals.
I compare it to something like this. Say you are out shopping at a local shopping mall or strip. Imagine that some stranger follows you around with a pencil and paper and writes down every store you go into, what you looked at while you were there, and what you bought. Then he takes this information and gives it to another stranger. This might not bother some people, but it kinda bothers me.
So what am I saying...? No, you aren't in any real danger from what CNET does. Just a matter of how much information you want other people to have about you. I try to keep this to an absolute minimum. I'm not saying don't use the service. If you feel it has value...continue to use it. Until you actuall install one of the reccomendations there is no harm. And since you are already paying attention to what is being displayed and checking things first, you will be OK. My point is mainly for the people that don't know too much...go there...and install everything CNET says they should have. The scanning and collection of data won't harm your system and is highly unlikely to affect you in any way in the real world. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Sorry about the novel... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
MAXXIMILIAN'S
dacomputers - The invisible GIFS are also known as "Web Bugs". See the Web Bug on my web site.
ironwalker - Changing someone's LD company is called "slamming" and it is illegal. Here's the FCC's page on it. I doubt that it is related to CNET.
One minor point in favor of CNET... Their privacy page may be the most detailed and up front I've seen. They lay it all out instead of using phrases like "data may be shared with our business partners"... which seems to be the code phrase used by most sites that sell your data. They do seem to be using every money making technique available to a "free" Web site. I might buy their stock but I don't think I would register at their site https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Internet advertising has been drying up like my lawn in Dallas during August. This has two results: fewer free programs/downloads and more spyware. jtdoom did us a service by reminding us that, more than ever, we need to check the privacy statements.
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Jerry CTX
Computer (In)Security
Definitely food for thought. When I downloaded Catch-Up and scanned my PC it found 63 updates I should have, that was a might scary. I had just finished performing all my Windows Updates, and Catch-Up was suggesting I download most of these again.
Maxx, you said:....but there other sites out there that don't do what CNET does in terms of privacy, and you can get the same information.
Besides CNet, what other sites are out there?
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--If all else fails, take two aspirins and call VirtualDr--
Ironwalker, As JerryCTX said, you were "slammed" which is against the law, so much so, that you could as an individual could raise all sorts of hexx as a result. Most of the major phone companies have received fines for this very illegal action. But think on this. What is a half million dollar fine to AT&T? To you and me it's big bucks. To them pocket change.
And unfortunatly, not enough people get up and say something about these kind of things.
Not until it affects them and making a quantum jump here - this is probably the biggest reason both parents work at jobs. We allow these things to happen. Enough, I digree.... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Seek knowledge and all else will follow
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Information
[This message has been edited by greengoose1 (edited 07-20-2001).]
Hi Teddybear,
Sorry, I think I muddied the water on this one. What I meant about finding other places, is for general computing information and not necessarily update services. Although, there are probably similar programs out there. I use to go to CNET for just general information about the internet, computer manufacturers, reviews, etc. This is the stuff I was referring to when I said you can get this information at other places. Sorry about the confusion.
Personally, my feelings on how and when to upgrade is pretty simple. If the thing works, don't upgrade. If something doesn't work, and an upgrade is the fix, go to the manufacturer site directly and get the download. I try to get to know what I have on my system, without using these services anymore. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Actually I find the forums like these as the best place to go for information. I am a member of three and it is very rare for me to miss news about a new virus, an update to a utility, etc. For general reading, I go to online versions of the newstand magazines like MaximumPC. I still go to CNET, but I don't use their services anymore. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
MAXXIMILIAN'S
One simple way I check for any bug updates or new versions is to visit the CNET and ZDNET new release download pages. I do this with cookies off. Most of the time I find an update there. Also I have used CNET Catch Up. So far, no banner ads have changed. I get the weekly email alerts too. So far not one spam or offer from any other company.
Just be a smart consumer and read what you are agreeing to.
Thanks all for indulgeing.
i appreciate the feedback,and enjoyed this.
The phone thing was taken care of and not only was the phone co. recording our conversation,so was i,and they asked if i wanted to "put it in the books"so-to-speak,that no changes are to be made without contacting me first...damn,it should've been that way in the first place.
as for C-NET,i have not had any problems and no update was listed that i had already installed,most of all windows updates.
ive sent my info across lots of domains and not one postal mail,phone call,some email.
but because of this thread i will keep an eye on them,and copy the privacy report.
thanks MAX ,hope your enjoying the emachine. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
It's policies like the one shown at Cnet and others that prohibit me from shopping on line. As far as I am concerned, it's BAD business practice, it has driven my business away.
My privacy is MINE, not a corporations. If *I* want MY business spread all over I will request it.
It is disrespectful of me as a humanbeing and as a customer to assume ownership of my privacy and preferences. It says to me they don't want my business or else they would treat me right. So, their loss is my gain. My money is in my pocket where it does me good, and I can shop annonymosly elsewhere.
I don't run their downloads, don't want them. Don't use their cheap freebie junk files and services either. If it means that eventually I will have to go offline, then so be it. I can find other uses for the $240 bucks a year it costs me to be online and protect my privacy better in the process.
I use cash/money orders only in my purchases. It's totally impossible to remain invisable altogether, but trust is something once lost is not easily gained. And the more you own, the bigger your burdens are. I have very few burdens, and I love the freedom more. So, keep it up Cnet and others who impose on people! You loose!
Hey Maxx, thanx for clearing that up...I like to go straight to the manufacturer as well. I just needed some guidance on finding updates; there was great feedback and useful words of wisdom. Can't be too trusting these days...wouldn't want my PIII to end up being an expensive doorstop due to ignorance. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I admit, the discussions in these threads generates enough info to guide most users and their problem/questions in the right direction. This site is very helpful--I'm not intimidated by my PC anymore https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Cheers, Teddy.
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--If all else fails, take two aspirins and call VirtualDr--
You're welcome, Teddybear. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
MAXXIMILIAN'S