Do you accept Spyware?

K

KobeBryantMVP

New member
I think spyware clients are a shame for gnutella community, but please judge on your own and vote!
Woken up through the current "spyware hype" in the Limewire forum, I recently scanned again some of my PCs - and surprisingly found some Spyware EXE/DLLs. Oops, I thought I have been very carefull.

I have to say: Shame on Bearshare and LimeWire that you take part on this dirty business!

To be fair, dont forget that Vinnie Falco's Bearshare was bundled with Sypware since months, but also other filesharing apps such as Audiogalxy, eDonkey, Kazza and more come with 3rd party software today. All together fool newbies which don't know what "Addins" in reality are: Paid spyware parasites. Very ironical when sofwtare developer answer "we didn't know" or "our Addins are no spyware". Just read some details about Gator and eZula which are very "IN": more about sypware and the trouble [2] [3].
Money making isn't everything, if some can't find a serious business concept, then at least don't complain about a bad reputation. Saying this, I hope that portals as Zeropaid will show which client is bundeld with spyware!

The next days I will advice all my friends and customers which use MS Windows to use AdAware and avoid Spyware software wherever possible. Spyware brings expensive firewall concepts "ad absurdum", could steal confidential information or alter shown websites without notice, best idea:

Do avoid infected filesharing clients, choose another one! One advantage of Gnutella is that there are many good clients.

Some open words, Moak
 
I don't even care whether THEY see me or not. It's not like I tried to hide.

[/B]

Yes, - they *might* be. And Windows XP *might* contain a backdoor for the NSA.

That is the difference between possibility and fact. Any possible danger you see in Gator (&c) also applies to any other internet related software. Gator is not the devil and it is as much of a security risk as any other internet related applications (including ICQ or Morpheus for example).
 
I loathe spyware and won't let it near any of my computers. One of the Gnutella programs (not mentioned here to avoid flamewars) nuked my TCP/IP stack , and I had to reinstall the OS to get on the Net again. I was not happy about that.

I won't touch spyware, no way.
 
So far I haven't seen any proof for gator (&c) being an evil spytool, as some people like to state. Surely, I wouldn't install it (for a couple of reasons), but I don't believe those tools are as dangerous as you think. I've not seen any log-files that actually indicate Gator is doing any worse than tracking which websites you visit and how often you visit them.

If you are so afraid of spyware (paranoia?!), - don't use proprietary software.
 
Now there is the second article on Slashdot about Spyware in Gnutella: "The corporate response is that they [Kazaa, Limewire, Grokster] literally didn't know what was in these secondary applications that they were providing to be downloaded and installed alongside their primary program. Believe it if you wish." Read the full story
 
that's what I am trying to say: I have no moral dificulties caracking spyware, as well as adware (most often you get two in one, arent you?)

--Max
 
..so is it possible to say what *is* a safe client (sans spyware?) I'd really appreciate knowing since I've been searching for hours but the ones that aren't known to be bundling it don't specifically say they're *not* - and I'm not ready to make the leap of faith over to "clean" limeware.
 
John, I wonder if you ever met Kultus, Sephiroth, anti-bearshare? I think about casting all of you for the second part of the story. *g*
 
You now have a choice.
You can now block the spyware/adware clients.
You no longer have to contribute your network resources or CPU cycles to spyware clients.
You have the choice, and the power.
http://opensourcep2p.sf.net

Windows and Linux versions available.
 
Originally posted by Morgwen

> who really cares about these spyware clients anymore?

just by using a free client you're fighting back!
 
My main problem with it is the spyware usually runs even when not using the program that installed it (and often hangs around even if you uninstall the original).

The people who write the spyware itself (I'm not talking about the programs that bundle it necessarily) care nothing about the users except how they can further exploit them. Most of these programs are very poorly written, eat up your system resources, and cause crashes and instability galore. I imagine many are also extremely insecure and full of holes that could make you vulnerable to any half-assed 133t h4x0r.

To me they're as bad as a virus or Trojan and should be just as illegal. Nothing should ever be placed on a system without full user consent. These programs absolutely rely on users being unaware of how they work and what they truly do.

Software developers that use them are making a deal with the devil - one that will always cost in the long run. It's basically like a giant neon sign to all future investors saying: "We have no legitimate business plan or source of income".
 
After announcing Windows NT Microsoft hired UNIX developers and they bought into a UNIX company named Santa Cruz Operation. In addition Windows NT complies with the POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface for Unix) standards.

Windows NT had a lot more in common with UNIX than with MS-DOS and although it is just a rumour that NT contained pieces BSD-code, they were at least inspired by it.
 
That's more than enough to qualify it as an "evil spy tool" in my book. Not to mention it opens up holes enabling it to install even more slimeware without the user knowing. That's clear trojan behavior, and in a non-commercial program might land the "developer" in jail.

Let's ask it another way - why should any user allow such parasites on their system? What benefit is there to oRABet the potential risks? Would you want to give yourself pinworms just because they don't really hurt you too much? Would you eat free food if it was knowingly infected with tapeworms? Would you be happy if such food only had a vague reference to "extra added proteins" on the label? "Proprietary" products in other industries could never get away with this kind of abuse.

It's sort of become the V.D. of the software industry. These days, If you're not very careful what programs you go playing around with, you may find yourself with a case of something nasty.

I'm sure these developers would love for people to start thinking of parasitic software as "normal" and acceptable (or at least inevitable). However, commercial software has existed successfully for years without resorting to such sleazy tactics. It's no more than just a poor excuse for lack of financial planning - anyone can be popular by giving stuff away. They could try shareware or donations *before* going with this stuff, but once "the spyware hits the fan" they can kiss any user loyalty goodbye. I find it odd that they seem so surprised to discover betraying their users actually has negative consequences!

Vendors who embrace spyware are shouting their failure to the world - it's the last gasp of dying companies and a red flag to any potential VC. The Gators of the world, like vultures, will be sure to pick the bones clean.
 
Well, I care. The majority of computer users do not even know what spyware is. They are usually the real victims of spyware, and are often infected by spyware clients. You have done a lot to remedy this situation, however. Thanks Morgwen! You have done as much for the Gnutella community as any of the developers, IMHO at least.
 
Thanks!

Yes I care about the spyware, too! But I hope/know that many will switch over to Xolox or other clients, especially now after bearshare will use cydoor!

Morgwen
 
This is the real danger of ad/spy ware. All the assurances a developer may give are worthless if they themselves don't even know what's being installed.

Perhaps we need to ask the Lime developers - how can we ever trust them after they *admit* they've no control over their own product? How do they know other nasties aren't already lying in wait on the HD's of their unsuspecting users? Even when the initial install is ok, there's always the chance the adware will do a behind the scenes "software update" and change that.

These companies are the lowest of the low. This would be illegal done by a person rather that a corporation - these guys are just crying for a class action suit. Developers who fall into their clutches are dooming themselves. You can be sure the slimeware execs will sacrifice and destroy the Limewires of the world before they themselves are finally drowned in their own filth.
 
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