 Rammer
Premium
join:2001-03-06
clubs:  | is this a joke or what
its not april fools day yet | |
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dadkins
Go For It
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
| LMAO! WeatherSlug *IS* adware!
Claria? aka Gator? DUH!
WhenU? Please!
Crapware is crapware... Spyware/adware/malware, kill it all!
--
No Firefox here, move along! | |
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 | 
a
@utexas.edu | Re: LMAO! bill got serious years ago, where ya been? | |
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| 
Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
·Comcast
| said by dadkins  :WeatherSlug *IS* adware! Claria? aka Gator? DUH! I agree.
I'm sick of spyware vendors trying to define what spyware is.
The end user should be able to discern whether or not what the spyware detection program identifies as "spyware" is something they want.
See the sig.
--
Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble. -William S. Halsey
Kazaa Is Spyware. Gator / Claria Is Spyware.
I'm testing Gmail's spam filters: Broadbandreports1@gmail.com
Spam: 1357 | |
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| | bchoate
join:2004-02-17
Logan, UT | Re: LMAO! I agree, that's like letting microsoft determine what constitutes a monopoly.  | |
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insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
| I hope microsoft chooses to protect its product The fact is these apps will damage windows and in the end force a complete fresh install to rectify some of the problems they create. Microsoft would have to of course know this. As big as they are, why don't they tell these spyware makers to make their programs as easy to install and remove as any legit program in order to not be blocked. I doubt these companies will fight a legal battle against someone who can easily afford years of litigation. | |
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| 
Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| Re: I hope microsoft chooses to protect its product Really is an important test for them if they want to be taken seriously and improve their security image (if there is one there to improve).
The sooner someone the size of Microsoft stands up and declares these programs do have a negative impact on system performance, the sooner the law will force them to clarify their installation procedures, which in turn eliminates a massive chunk of their revenue (unaware users). | |
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| | 
Steve
ho ho ho dammit
Consultant
join:2001-03-10
Yorba Linda, CA
| Re: I hope microsoft chooses to protect its produc said by Karl Bode :Really is an important test for them if they want to be taken seriously and improve their security image (if there is one there to improve). Isn't this the same as wanting Microsoft to be the arbiter of what runs on their customer's machines? People want that?
--
Stephen J. Friedl • Unix Wizard • Microsoft Security MVP • Tustin, California USA • my web site | |
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| | |
insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
| Re: I hope microsoft chooses to protect its produc We are talking about a spyware removal app. Just because I run spybot doesn't mean spybot is the arbiter of what runs on my computer. Because I run it so that programs that I choose to not be on my computer won't get on my computer. In the end I am the arbiter because I choose to run the app. Now if the app was bundled with windows with no way to disable then yes you would be correct in saying microsoft is the arbiter. Also what is so horrible about microsoft providing a spyware app? I think they should provide spyware and virus apps, because when you pay over 100 bucks for an OS, you should get apps to protect it for free. Its not fair to the consumer to make them spring up more cash for basic apps like a virus scanner. | |
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| | |
Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| quote:
Isn't this the same as wanting Microsoft to be the arbiter of what runs on their customer's machines? People want that?
I'm not sure your question makes any sense in regard to the topic.
It's about anti-spyware vendors having a choice of selling out to Claria and WhenU (like Aluria) and weakening their definitions, or standing firm and making it clear these apps use shady installation techniques and have a negative cumulative impact on a user's PC (McAfee). | |
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| | 
T_Hoffman
join:2002-11-10
Clovis, CA
| beautifully put, i agree 100% with karl here. IMO no ones machines are running up to par with spyware apps installed, its just not the same as running fresh off a reformat (then again what is, Spyware is just the worst), spyware bogs systems and its got to go, M$ gotta start the cleansing process for NT based machines,
P.S M$ antispyware has worked great for me, not sure if its a lil different with sig's for removing, but its up there perfectly with Giants form.
--
don't talk to me about my literature, if i was getting graded on a essay and not spending 2secs typing 115WPM post on a forum I might actually go through and correct my mistakes. save it. HEH | |
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a
@utexas.edu | lol, like 60b cash is not protected. the fact is it does help to be computer literate. | |
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insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN | Re: I hope microsoft chooses to protect its product Your statement makes no sense???? | |
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nwrickert
sand groper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business Spyware exists mainly because insecure microsoft software makes it possible. Microsoft could stop spyware cold by changing IE design.
It sure seems like a scam for microsoft to be the enabler of spyware, and then to plan selling anti-spyware programs. | |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | Re: Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business As Ironic as AOL claiming they fight adware by partnering with Aluria.
The whole sector is ridiculously incestuous. | |
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|
a
@utexas.edu | it's not the software that is insecure, it's the users. | |
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| electric_dsl
join:2004-07-20
Pickering, ON | More spyware comes from user initiated installs like kazaa, web bug etc. as well P2P downloads.
IE "flaws" are the minority here. Even if they fixed IE people would still be getting these programs on their PC. | |
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pianotech
Pianotech
Premium
join:2002-12-30
New Castle, PA
| said by nwrickert :Spyware exists mainly because insecure microsoft software makes it possible. Microsoft could stop spyware cold by changing IE design. It sure seems like a scam for microsoft to be the enabler of spyware, and then to plan selling anti-spyware programs. You could not be more incorrect. Spyware exists because USERS don't look at what they're installing or what they're agreeing to when they accept a license.
Some things just have to be blamed on no one but the user, and this is one of them. | |
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| | cybrdude
join:2003-08-16
| Re: Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business And more and more spyware is being spread by TROJANS. My laptop at work became infected SEVERAL TIMES, Norton's new Corporate Anti-Virus finally found the viruses that are classified as a "download trojans". Also, much Spyware is spread by simply clicking on a link, the malicious code acts just like normal HTML data and is downloaded to the system. If you think Firefox will not be affected in the future, you are mistaken. As their user bases increases, these virus writers and Spyware/Adware coders will change gears and adapt.
Kudos to MS for this SW. It has found spyware on my system that Adware 6.0 personal, Spybot, Norton, and others have missed. For the last couple of months I was averaging 2 to 4 cookies a week on my home system (no other files or adware/Spyware), then the MS beta found 200 entries for 9 apps on my system.
Late... | |
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| | TheWickerMan
join:2002-04-09
Enola, PA
edit:
January 10th, @03:20PM
| said by pianotech : You could not be more incorrect. Spyware exists because USERS don't look at what they're installing or what they're agreeing to when they accept a license. Sometimes, but not always. I've read numerous accounts of "drive-by downloads", where the junk was installed without the user even knowing it. I have experienced this myself one time. It was on one of those "free screensavers" sites. I clicked on the download link, and it started a "download manager." This raised a big red flag with me, so I ran Adaware after it was done. The "download manager" installed Comet Cursor. There were around 100 entries for it.
Another time, I was installing a game for my son. Toward the end of the install, it asked me if I wanted to install this extra component. They were somewhat vage about what it did, I didn't like having extra junk on my machine, and I had some privacy concerns about it, so I clicked "no." Interestingly enough, after I rebooted, my firewall caught something new trying to access the internet. It was the very same software I had told it *not* to install.
Even if you are asked if you want to install it, its intentions and terms of service are often vague. And they often make it difficult, if not impossible, to uninstall by regular means. I came across this really nasty one called Virtual Bouncer, on a machine that someone gave me to fix. Removed it thru "Add/remove programs", and it came right back. People who write this junk should be shot. | |
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| dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL
| As far as I can tell, 'weatherbug' is something that is willingly installed by users. It is thus not a matter of IE being 'insecure' or not. Users install weatherbug because they want to.
(This is not a defence of weatherbug. It's obviously adware. Nevertheless, it appears that it only gets on your system if you ask to install it. Can't read/won't read? Your problem.) | |
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| | jazzy112
join:2003-12-05
Fargo, ND
| Re: Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business Actually I recently installed weatherbug and I was able to get away with not installing the crapware with it. I confirmed afterwards by running spybot and ad-aware. You just have to pay attention on that one.
The biggest propogation of spyware is a result of that massive "free lunch" crowd some may call Republicans They want clean roads but don't want to pay the taxes to keep the roads clean. I could go on and on with analogies but one should get my point across.
What I tell my customers is, "If it seems to good to be free, don't download it" Or "If you want a program that offers both free and for pay downloads....PAY FOR IT" For the most part their systems stay pretty clean and I don't have to worry about them calling me and telling me that the "internet is slow" | |
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| | | footballdude
join:2002-08-13
Imperial, MO
| Re: Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business said by jazzy112 :Actually I recently installed weatherbug and I was able to get away with not installing the crapware with it. I confirmed afterwards by running spybot and ad-aware. You just have to pay attention on that one. The biggest propogation of spyware is a result of that massive "free lunch" crowd some may call Republicans They want clean roads but don't want to pay the taxes to keep the roads clean. And that's so different from you wanting Weatherbug and not wanting to pay for it by getting their ads? | |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey | Re: Microsoft is in the pro-spyware business ROFL | |
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|
atangel
Now What??
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Bronx, NY
edit:
January 9th, @12:03PM
| Leave Me Alone You Monopoly MS' biggest problem with trying to be malware vendor is going to be all the monopoly nuisance suites... You are trying to squeeze us out in favor of "X."
They are an Evil Monopoly, but in this instance if they try to do the right thing, they will get blamed and if they do the wrong thing they will get blamed. | |
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| 
SmD Frylock
join:2001-08-09
Farrell, PA
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: Leave Me Alone You Monopoly It's going to take a lawsuit for them to remove anything from their scanner, and unfortunately considering their monopoly status it's a good chance spyware can win that.
The only spyware I see MS not detecting is Alexa. Especially since They use it in IE.
--
Frankly, I no longer fear Hell anymore, because I know Satan will just put me in my old office and proceed to unleash an unending barrage of stupidity towards me. | |
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| | dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Leave Me Alone You Monopoly said by SmD Frylock :It's going to take a lawsuit for them to remove anything from their scanner, Can't anyone around here frigging read?
said by article:
In the case of WeatherBug, the dispute-resolution process paid immediate dividends. On Friday, the company received a response from Microsoft with the good news that the current signatures for Minibug will be removed. No lawsuit. Removed. | |
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|
a
@utexas.edu | i get it, microsoft told you that you had to buy their products... | |
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| | Goldman
join:2002-06-21
Maumelle, AR | Re: Leave Me Alone You Monopoly said by a:
i get it, microsoft told you that you had to buy their products...
That's not the point at all. | |
|
damox
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Olympia, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..
| To do so would be foolish! I doubt seriously that Microsoft would be so foolish. It would definitely be counter-productive. I'm sure they realize that to do so would likely disenfranchise them from even the most ardent Microsoft users. Their whole purpose of getting into the anti-spyware/adware business was to win back some of the trust that has eroded away over the past several years. To do so, would be like giving their endorsement to Linux!
--
DAMOX Proud to be a member of Team Discovery | |
|
| dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL
edit:
January 9th, @05:50PM
| Re: To do so would be foolish! There is absolutely no question about whether Microsoft will or will not remove WeatherBug's classification as 'spyware'. The matter was settled.
said by original article:
In the case of WeatherBug, the dispute-resolution process paid immediate dividends. On Friday, the company received a response from Microsoft with the good news that the current signatures for Minibug will be removed. | |
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| | damox
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Olympia, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..
| Re: To do so would be foolish! said by dave :There is absolutely no question about whether Microsoft will or will not remove WeatherBug's classification as 'spyware'. The matter was settled. said by original article:
In the case of WeatherBug, the dispute-resolution process paid immediate dividends. On Friday, the company received a response from Microsoft with the good news that the current signatures for Minibug will be removed. And they did this because they're deriving some benefit either financial or otherwise from doing so? I am not that familiar with Weather Bug, but I would think that examining Microsoft's motives before accusing them of selling out, would be prudent. I can't imagine that the makers of Weather Bug could pay Microsoft enough to get them to do something unethical, but then again, maybe I'm wrong.
--
DAMOX Proud to be a member of Team Discovery | |
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Stumbles
join:2002-12-17
Port Saint Lucie, FL | That's an easy answer. Microsoft will do what they always do since honest competition is not in their mindset. They will buy up the big spyware guys, integrate them at the OS level and call it innovation.
Wheeeeeee...... | |
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a
@utexas.edu | Re: That's an easy answer. honest competition, jesus, get real. | |
|
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA
edit:
January 9th, @12:52PM
| Read the article The vast majority of anti-spyware providers do not consider WeatherBug to be spyware, including Aluria, our own anti-spyware provider," said AOL spokesman Andrew Weinstein.
Wow what an idiot!
In the case of WeatherBug, the dispute-resolution process paid immediate dividends. On Friday, the company received a response from Microsoft with the good news that the current signatures for Minibug will be removed.
All I can say is
Giant Antispyware you will be missed 
--
anon43@gmail.com
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Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Re: Read the article Makes you wonder just how many people do read an article before posting.
(sorta like researching a candidate before voting)
--
"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose." -- Frederick Douglass | |
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| | 
cork1958
Cork
join:2000-02-26
Fruitport, MI
·Charter Pipeline
| Re: Read the article said by Titus Pullo :Makes you wonder just how many people do read an article before posting. (sorta like researching a candidate before voting) Not many, that's for sure. As it is in most forums!
Same with the voting for President in this years election as witnessed by who won!! 
But, hopefully MS won't mess this already good program up.
--
Spread Opera, fastest browser on earth or Cyberspace! | |
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| Tarmax
join:2001-05-03
Fort Lauderdale, FL
| In the case of WeatherBug, the dispute-resolution process paid immediate dividends. On Friday, the company received a response from Microsoft with the good news that the current signatures for Minibug will be removed. "An Integrity Test for Microsoft"
...Failed.
'nuff said. | |
|
SP_Writer
Premium
join:2002-03-19
Clifton Park, NY
| Where I work.... With the new roll-out of XP (Yes, it took this long to get this far....but that my friends, is another story) there will be no IE. Of course it will be there, but hidden from the users. We are going to Firefox. I know, it's only 400 computers. But 100's of hours of our time cleaning out all this damn adware/spyware/malware/scumware.
And MS is going to charge for Giant? What a joke. | |
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|
See 8 replies to this post |
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| ameslan
join:2005-01-09
Titusville, PA
| Re: Ad(weather) bug I just started using weather-bug so I am not familiar with this kind of thing, can you explain it to me in small words...:D So I gather that it is bad to use this? so it really is a "Bug"? Better to use weather.com or accu-weather.com? If I remove it - will it take all out?
ALso what is the commercials to watch?
Thanks,
Ron
Ameslan
 | |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey | Re: Ad(weather) bug i would remove it via control panel, and most definetly run spy search and destroy to clean up the machine. | |
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quibbly
Premium
join:2003-02-07
Sugar Land, TX | We will see MS in court again We will see Microsoft in court again soon. | |
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| 
Rob
In Deo speramus
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| Re: We will see MS in court again said by quibbly :We will see Microsoft in court again soon. And I will stand behind Microsoft. If these spy ware/aware companies want to sue MSFT for marking their programs as "potential spy ware/aware", them there is a reason. Given the amount of Windows users we have, I can only imagine the thousands (if not millions) of complaints MS receives on a weekly/monthly basis about spy ware/aware.
--
They cannot destroy our society, they cannot destroy our believe in the democratic way. They can destroy buildings, they can kill people and we will be sadden by these tragedies but they will never be allowed to kill the spirit of democracy! God Bless! | |
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Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA | Re: Off topic That thing doesn't work most of the time. I almost always get 'Parser Error'.
--
anon43@gmail.com | |
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Ark
join:2002-06-08
Hudsonville, MI | Re: Off topic I've never had any problem with it. I've only tried the current version 0.5.8 though, with Firefox 1.0. It works just fine for me. | |
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mohito
Premium
join:2003-09-29
New York, NY | Pointing out the obvious How about BBR pointing out a link to "Spyware Warrior", to help us see the obvious. WTF is "Spyware Warrior"? | |
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shimonmor
join:2000-12-30
Sedro Woolley, WA
·wavebroadband
| Double edged sword Well, it's a double edged sword. MS should probably classify this stuff as malware but we are giving MS a lot of power in determining what is and isn't malware. Something they can (will) use to their ($$) advantage.
In the end...only the end users will lose. Again. | |
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SlickEnW
Premium
join:2003-01-21
Seattle, WA
clubs:
·Comcast
| i really don't see why why microsoft would even dare to let these people toy with their software. Using EXPLOITS they are able to take over THEIR CUSTOMERS COMPUTERS and make their experience hell. sorry but if i owned an apartment complex and someone was terrorizing my tenants i'd take care of it post haste. | |
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ssj4android
Redefining Reality
join:2002-04-14
Wyoming, MI | Re: Not too accurate. Hm...Does grokster take magnet links now? Bet that was from Giant. | |
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ph03n1x
join:2003-02-15
Sanford, FL | The reason it's coming up is because of Shareaza, which supports magnet links and also, if I'm not mistaken, allows you to connect to the Grokster (Fastrack?) network.
//* Fullcirclephoenix *// | |
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jafoman
join:2002-10-13
Porter Ranch, CA
edit:
January 9th, @04:26PM
| Adware Technically, the free version of Weatherbug does include adware. Does this mean that Opera is also shown as Adware? I also use a program called DVD Profiler which in the unregistered version, shows ads too. Are these all considered adware?
I always think of Adware as something that causes popups outside of any application, where all of a sudden you'll get a browser window with advertisements...
jafo | |
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| 
Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T Yahoo
| Re: Adware Minibug is targeted as adware by both Spybot Search & Destroy
and Ad Aware, but only because it displays ads in the program
window (which are easily blocked using ad filtering software
or a hosts file). It is also bundled (at least for version
5.03, which is what I have) with the My Search toolbar,
which can be opted out of. The EULA for this component is
pretty clear on what it does.
So Weatherbug as adware is mild compared to some of the
other junk out there. It doesn't hijack your browser,
display unwanted popups outside the program, track your
web surfing habits (except for the banner ads within the
program), alter your Winsock settings, and it doesn't
force an unwanted toolbar on you. I emphasized
'force' because if you opt out, it isn't installed.
--
"Kayura or Badamon, whichever you are, you should know that I will never give up this battle. By the will of the Ancient, I shall succeed!" - Shuten (Anubis) from the Ronin Warriors. | |
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| | Scaramouche8
join:2004-09-10
Philippines
| Re: Adware Weatherbug has actually been de-listed by the majority of spyware scanners out there since it's pretty clear as to what it does, and the search bar is opt-in and explained relatively well. We removed them from our own detection a few months ago (while still classifying them as a carrier and detecting the spyware itself).
--
In the interest of full disclosure I should say that I work for FBMSoftware, makers of ZeroSpyware a spyware-removal tool. Opinions posted do not reflect my employer's unless otherwise noted. | |
|
Vvian Kalyss
join:2003-10-14
Stage 5.0
clubs:
| It's all about the money Man... listen to you guys. You think one app is gonna help stem the flood? If MS can't/won't block a few questionable programs, that's why you have other programs like Spybot and HijackThis.
I sure as hell don't expect 100% protection from the Giant-turned-MS product. Personally, I think they shouldn't bow to pressure -- hell, I hope this causes some of those stupid spyware companies to force themselves go legit adware. I'd like MS to say something like, "we're not classifying you as malware per se, but since uninstalling your application is so difficult (link to examples), we are including it in the threat list." And LIST them out. If they want to stop whining, they should clean up their act.
What MS is gonna do isn't so important to me than what the impact is on the creators of spyware products. The crap ones will always be crap (e.g. CWS), but the ones lurking in the grey area (like Weatherbug) need a firm kick in the ass to come clean completely.
--
Mikami Vvian, resident Girlfriend of Steel, care of the Tokyo-3 Middle Daughters Club | |
|
keith2468
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-03
Winnipeg, MB
edit:
January 9th, @08:07PM
| I Suspect MS Hates Invasive Adware I suspect MS hates invasive adware even more than the folks at the dedicated anti-adware anti-spyware companies.
Adware authors, like virus authors, have seriously hurt MS's reputation, have hurt the individual reputations of developers, managers and marketing people who work at MS, and have caused tremendous support and development costs to be incurred to MS, hurting MS's bottom line, and hurting the careers of many MS staff.
So the only way I can imagine MS pandering to adware companies is if the courts or legislators force them to.
That said, MS has deep pockets, and a corporate presence in many countries, which means MS can be profitably sued.
So MS probably won't be able to adopt the "shoot first ask question later" approach smaller companies and individuals can get away with.
MS will have to study adware (and spyware) to determine that it really is installing without permission or carrying out unauthorized activities, before MS can label it as spyware or malicious adware. Otherwise MS faces being sued.
Not MS's fault, it didn't write the laws. But it means that those of us who are really fussy about security will want to continue to run other AS and AAW products even if MS were somehow able to perfect MSAS.
(If you hate adware, lobby congress to make advertising with it illegal.)
--
(Virus&Hijacking FAQ + Submit suspected malware + Backups FAQ + Security FAQ TOC) | |
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An Integrity Test for Microsoft
·
