how-to block ads
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keith2468
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-03
Winnipeg, MB
| Better Terminology Needed
What does "installing via the WMP DRM vulnerability" have to do with spying?
Nothing. Spying would be capturing names, account numbers, email, IMs, etc.
So they have a point that calling the product "spyware" is libel (assuming there is nothing other than how it installs to complain about).
The offense is unauthorized tampering with a computer, stealing computer services, and mis-leading computers.
Regarding how malicious "adware" is, there are many legitimate adware products most of us use and enjoy, the free versions of: RealPlayer, QuickTime, Opera, Yahoo Messenger, and even Adobe Acrobat Reader (although the ads are pretty small in the last case).
The problem for most of us isn't that some adware product pays for itself by advertising.
The problem is when the product:
1. installs without explicit permission,
2. doesn't uninstall via the standard add/remove programs interface,
3. puts up advertising outside of its own windows, and
4. captures personal information (IP address, line condition, and game being played not counting as personal information in my book).
5. tries to hide the fact that it is running
6. resists removal
My thoughts on this aren't complete, but my feeling is a scoring system, where the maker or distributer of a product offending 3 or more of those factors, or point 1, should face fines and sanctions.
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(Virus&Hijacking FAQ + Submit suspected malware + Backups FAQ + Security FAQ TOC) | |
keith2468
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-03
Winnipeg, MB
| And Legislation Needed
It is probably going to come down to us needing legislation or government regulations to define what illegal software is.
This would be just as there are government regulations (or legislation) around the world define which guns, cars, motorcycles, aircraft, electric appliances, etc., are permitted and which are prohibited in each country.
With no legal regulation or definitions, and with the malware vendor having the choice of which jurisdiction to bring the suit in, ASW companies (including big ones like MS, Symantec, CA) will be in a vulnerable position. Maybe, even with all their financial resources, a loosing position.
We can wish it wasn't like that, but that is just wasting our time.
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(Virus&Hijacking FAQ + Submit suspected malware + Backups FAQ + Security FAQ TOC) | |
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