Deceptive, Misleading, Delusive, Fallacious ... software

[Vernon Frazee]

Sources,

• MSNBC: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4243032/
  Anti-spyware vendors come under fire
  Interest group complains about 'deceptive' marketing
  By John Borland
  Updated: 11:58 AM PT Feb. 11, 2004
  
  and
  
• ZDNET UK: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/0,3...9146150,00.htm
  Anti-spyware 'deceiving consumers'
  John Borland
  CNET News.com
  February 12, 2004, 12:20 GMT

"Anti-Spyware" products that actually install software widely viewed as spyware:

• Mail Wiper's Spy Wiper and Seismic
• Trek8's Spyware Nuker
• Enigma Software Group's SpyHunter
• Spyban / Look2Me (defunct)

Other programs that present the potential for serious system performance degradation, invasion of privacy and system crashes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Alexa
• Any BuySmarter Product
• BDE/Brilliant Digital
• BargainBuddy
• ClientMan
• ComputerShield
• CoolWebSearch (Some variants use HOSTS file to block access to anti-Adware/Spyware sites)
• Cydoor
• DownloadWare
• Grokster
• HackerSmacker
• IGetNet
• IMesh
• InternetAntispy
• KazaaPlatinum
• Kazanon
• Lop
• MP3U
• MediaUpdate
• nCase
• Newnet
• PC ToolWorks 2003
• Popupguard
• RapidBlaster
• S Scanner
• SaveNow
• SpyDeleter
• SpyHunter
• SpyKiller Pro
• SpyWiper (MailWiper, Inc)
• VirusGuard
• Vloading
• webHancer
• Windows Antivirus 2004
• Xupiter Toolbar
  
• More: http://www.spywareguide.com/spywarelist.html http://www.allentech.net/parasite/FavoriteMan.html

To educate yourself about spyware and adware, the methods of how it finds it's way onto your computer, and helpful suggestions on removing it, set aside a few minutes and read this detailed page: http://www.womelsdorf.com/TIPS/adspyware.html

Anyone wishing to file a formal complaint may do so at https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.s..._ORG_CODE=PU01

[Ridgerunr]

IMHO,this definitely needs to be a 'sticky'!
Thanks Vernon

[Vernon Frazee]

No no, Thank You!

[KatMac]

Lots of good info, Vernon. Definately rates a sticky and well worth passing along to non-members!

[VerLux]

Stickified. Glad to see action is being taken.

It makes me somewhat question their guidelines if Alexa is included in that. There is a difference between purposefully deceiving people into thinking your spyware is a spy hunter and sending information on the sites you visit for the sake of gathering information on the sites people visit. If there is a reason Alexa is there besides the fact that their purpose of existence is to gather and disseminate such information, I'd be interested to know. I notice Yahoo, Google, and Dictionary.com, who also distribute similar toolbars, aren't on the list so I figure it's not a performance issue.

[Ridgerunr]

IMO,the Alexa thing is a false/positive in a way. I think M$ felt it to be a helper when they included it with IE. But i've also heard it can be compromised to include spyware sites in it's list. This site doesn't think it's a baddie as such, but it 'does' tell you how to remove it(other than with SpyBot or Ad Aware):
http://www.felgall.com/brsie9.htm

[techallenged]

Hi,

Another great post!! yes it should be a sticky...

but it's got me to thinking!!! Over last couple of months I've noticed such a huge increase in posts concerning spyware and all sort of other malicious activities.. (yes I know it been going on for years, but its really starting to show now)...

Isn't it about time that Isp's tackled this issue? Or isn't it about time that Governments started introducing Guidelines/legislation to impose the ISP's partial responsibility to tackle these issues?

I'm not going as far as saying the isp's should restrict access to dubious sites or try to block downloads of suspicious software...

I would like to see ISP's acting as Guardians of the internet, educating new and experienced users of the "great WWW" to the pitfalls as well as the advantages of surfing...

Perhaps I am being Naive, but why do the fixes and cautionary tales have to be distributed via forums like vdr.... dont get me wrong.. I love vdr and the like, but I'd rather be discussing the differences in software and hardware as to achieve my goals rather than pointing people to spyware-this and anti-hack that!!!

I'm feeling rather disillusioned with this whole internet thing at the moment .....

Sure I'll get over it tho';

Phil

[Eman48451]

Great info Vernon! The Spyware and Adware issues have gotten to be a huge pain in the bass. Thanks for the info.

[VerLux]

Originally posted by techallenged
Isn't it about time that Isp's tackled this issue? Or isn't it about time that Governments started introducing Guidelines/legislation to impose the ISP's partial responsibility to tackle these issues?

What they need to do is support existing business legislation as it applies to internet-based companies. The major blockade to this has been law enforcement's ignorance of computer and internet technology - it's constantly improving, but it's been a long, slow haul.

I wonder if you meant Web hosts rather than ISPs. An ISP is the ability to access information, a Web host is what serves up the "information" (and, sometimes, the code that alters your computers). Holding hosts responsible for their users' content is an ongoing issue.

I would like to see ISP's acting as Guardians of the internet, educating new and experienced users of the "great WWW" to the pitfalls as well as the advantages of surfing...

Well, AOL has always tried to do that - but frankly, they and other ISPs are lucky to still be in business, let alone worry about being their users' babysitters. Hence we have NetNanny, Cybersitter, and other censorware - and customizable settings on what you'd like to filter on email and the web.

Perhaps I am being Naive, but why do the fixes and cautionary tales have to be distributed via forums like vdr.... dont get me wrong.. I love vdr and the like, but I'd rather be discussing the differences in software and hardware as to achieve my goals rather than pointing people to spyware-this and anti-hack that!!!

That's why we have lots of forums here - you can talk about what you like

I'm feeling rather disillusioned with this whole internet thing at the moment .....

The internet is a digital reflection of the whole world, and the same rules apply.

[Sal_gal]

Spybot, Avast and Adaware. Are any of those deceptive?

[Lotsadawgs]

THANK YOU, VERNON!

I've used this to file complaints against VirusGuard & Lycos for driving me crazy for the past few days (see "Caught Some Kind Of Worm?" ). Now I can go after those other shmucks, too!

You guys are really great! (So much to learn, so little time...*sigh*)

Evelyn

[jleekc]

I bought a copy of PC TOOLS 2003 Professional Version for about $10 on the Internet. The package looks like it is from a company CD Micro. I have not installed it because I was waiting for my Norton license to expire. Is this the same program you listed? Did I waste my $10 and is it going to screw up my computer? Thanks.

[VerLux]

Originally posted by jleekc
I bought a copy of PC TOOLS 2003 Professional Version for about $10 on the Internet. The package looks like it is from a company CD Micro. I have not installed it because I was waiting for my Norton license to expire. Is this the same program you listed? Did I waste my $10 and is it going to screw up my computer? Thanks.

I tried to find information on "PC Tools," which led me to www.pc-tools.net - is this the same organization? Then searching for CD Micro brought me to this page - http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/s...ml?jst=s_rs_hl

It doesn't look like the same people, at least not when I skim it. If you have any other information from your order, I'd be glad to help you find info on the company

[usil]

Please add Xoft to this list.

See this thread for more info.

[JoJo Gunn]

Deceptive, Misleading, Delusive, Fallacious

I got the MS Security Update disc today (dated February '04).

I'd like to know why I "have" to have IE6 and OE6 and Media Player 9 and DirectX 9.

Someone tell me how I'll explain to the Mom's and Pop's running '98 that they needed the updates for security, and now their machines crash all the time from extraneous and completely unnecessary "upgrades" foisted on them.

(For those who don't know, the disc has a control that checks to see what version of IE, OE, etc, and throws in the latest and greatest version, whether you need it or not. There's no dialogs giving you any choice in the matter. Hey, all those little old ladies who log onto the AARP aren't typically known for being gamers, but they just gotta have the latest DirectX, ain't that right? ).

Not everyone knows how to explore the disc and find what they need in the appropriate folders, nor do they have a handy neighborhood geek at the ready.