Spyware

OttoDestruct · August 2003

I just have one question. Who the crap pays these people. I've seen spyware infect systems worse than viruses. Why the f*** arent these programs illegal. And why do people feel the need to include spyware in ANY freeware downloads.

GreyPaws · August 2003

money makes people do terrible things. Marketing is currently the fastest growing industry in the world. What better way to market than spy on users and directly sell them the stuff they most commenly browse for. Nevermind the fack that they are hijacking bandwith.

But sadly, if you read the disclosures or 'ReadMes' or those 'do you accept?' terms of agreement things, they usually talk about gathering information, so if you click yes there isnt much you can say.

DOOManiac · August 2003

Spyware isn't self replicating, and thus not a virus (and thus not illegal). As far as being hidden goes, its actually in the EULA of every program that contains spyware... You know, the EULA nobody reads.

That's how its legal. Yeah, it sucks. :/

Infinitum · August 2003

Ad-aware is your savior. Run it at least every 2 days. (I run it once everytime I go to bed)

Lot of guys out there just dying to **** you off.

saint0z · August 2003

also you agree to spyware when u click "i agree" on the terms of use,
read it sometime

AllUrHiveRblong2us · August 2003

Well a lot of times if the guys giving out the programs are nice (and want to make money but still have their morals) they'll only put the spyware in the normal installation but you can take most of it out in the sustom installation of a program. Coders of free programs gotta eat too, but they can still keep their dignity about it.

Crunchy1 · August 2003

@greypaws: hey, i like money too

@ottodestruct: dont DL free programs from sites like 'download.com'

@DOOManiac: Ive found many exceptions to that...

Spyware

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