how-to block ads
|
Comments on news posted 2005-03-11 13:28:57: Cydoor has written us an e-mail, asking us to reconsider our use of the term "spyware" to describe their product. In their defense, the e-mail is cordial and contains no legal threats, unlike recent iDownload letters to security related websites. ..
| |
page: 1 · 2 · 3  |
 
pcscdma
Chocobo Chocobo Random Battle
Premium
join:2004-01-14
Winterset, IA
clubs:
| certified by who? I’d like you to note that as an example, two of our partners, Download Accelerator and PalTalk Instant Messenger are either certified as Spyware-Free or are working with the leading Anti-Spyware vendors to be removed from their Spyware list.
--
"The bad news is that we are told that Michael Powell, one of Washington's better bureaucrats, is calling it quits today after four years at the helm of the Federal Communications Commission." - WSJ 2005/01/21 | |
| | | 
Minvaren
Premium
join:2001-07-26
Houston, TX
clubs: | Oxymoron? quote:
unobtrusive ad-serving solution
There's a phrase I don't hear every day. | |
| Shadye
Premium
join:2004-10-21
Fallbrook, CA | It's not spyware. It appears to just act as an ad serving component for someone else's app. I don't see why everyone's knee is jerking. | |
| jekler
join:2000-11-23
Cincinnati, OH
clubs:
| Once a thief I don't care how all these 'reformed' spyware companies WANT to be addressed or what they say they'll do from now on. They saw a gap in technology and went for it. They're not stopping because they realize how wrong it was, they're stopping because they got caught.
They're like MLM people. They're sorry that their last scheme was a sham, but they have this new "business opportunity" and it's the real deal!
These snake venom salesmen don't get more honest, they get more clever. Their new 'product' is just the same old thing with a longer, more technical description.
"We don't peddle spyware anymore, we now offer customized market pipelining solutions through reintegrated data streaming and packet demodification modules!" | |
| 
Dan
Hamilton Tigers?
Premium
join:2002-12-17
Eh?
 ·Rogers Hi-Speed
| Hmmm. 1. - I some how don't think their beaming pixels across the net.
:P
--
Looks like another ID 10 T error. | |
| | 
parkerbryan
Premium
join:2003-03-07
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T FTTP
·Comcast
| Re: Hmmm. said by Dan  :1. - I some how don't think their beaming pixels across the net. :P Beam me up, Scotty!
--
"I am who I am" | |
| 
Spy
Premium
join:2001-09-22
NE | sh--ware. It's junk and always will be. Doesn't matter what you call it , nobody wants it. You can always call it shxxware. | |
| biochemistry
join:2003-05-09
92361 | That Reminds Me This article just reminded me that I need to update adaware and spybot and run them both. | |
| biznatch11
join:2004-11-21
London, ON
| Mild *spyware* more appropriate label They want to be classified as "mild adware", I think "mild spyware" is more appropriate. Their product keeps track of user information (what ads are displayed and clicked on, etc.) and reports back to a server therefore it is definately spyware. However, it only records info from within the program it's bundeled with; it doesn't record info from 3rd party programs (like what websites you go to, programs you run, comp. stats, etc.). So I would call it "mild *spyware*" and let the user decide if the are willing to allow some of their info and stats to be sent to someone else. Calling it just *adware* is misleading because that implies that all it does is display ads. | |
| 
calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| And in the same vein.... Dear Newspaper:
We are writing with concern in regard to your characterization of our model B&E-101 crowbar as a "burglary tool" in your article concerning the break-in at Justin Karl's residence. We would hope that you could refer to our product as a "prying device" in future references.
While it is true that our distributors include the "13th Street Bust-in Boyz" and the "Broadway Window Smashers" street gangs, and our direct mail efforts are targeted at recently released felons, we carefully instruct each of our customers that our product is to be used only in a legal and non-invasive manner.
We are aware that police reports also mischaracterized our product, and we are in contact with the department regarding that.
I'd like to emphasize that our product is used by some contractors in a legal manner.
I also like you to note that Ivan's Demolition and Big Ed's Destruction building removal companies have extolled the virtues of legal use of our product.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information about our product.
Sincerely,
Cal Voiper
--
VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! | |
|
calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| Dear Newspaper:
We are writing with concern in regard to your characterization of our model B&E-101 crowbar as a "burglary tool" in your article concerning the break-in at Justin Karl's residence. We would hope that you could refer to our product as a "prying device" in future references.
While it is true that our distributors include the "13th Street Bustin Boyz" and the "Broadway Window Smashers" street gangs, and that our direct mail efforts are targeted at recently released felons, we carefully instruct each of our customers that our product is to be used only in a legal and non-invasive manner.
We are aware that police reports also mischaracterized our product, and we are in contact with the department regarding that.
I'd like to emphasize that our product is used by some contractors in a legal manner.
I also like you to note that Ivan's Demolition and Big Ed's Destruction building removal companies have extolled the virtues of legal use of our product.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information about our product.
Sincerely,
Cal Voiper
--
VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies! | |
| 
gilligun
Shipwrecked
Premium
join:2002-11-22
Denver, CO | The Professor agrees.
Spieware
Pie in the face LOL
Tastes like hehe Lemon!:D | |
| | 
schnuggles
Stays Crunchy In Milk
join:2003-06-07
Deming, NM
| Does anyone have a (current) copy of the EULA for this company? I attempted to get one from the cydoor website, but they require flash, which I don't (and won't) use.
I've got a Criminal Law final tomorrow, but could look it over during the spring break.
--
Salus Populi Suprema Est Lex-Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC) | |
| | 
funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Skype
| Re: Let's take a look at the EULA said by schnuggles :Does anyone have a (current) copy of the EULA for this company? I attempted to get one from the cydoor website, but they require flash, which I don't (and won't) use. Since it is not stand-alone software, it shouldn't have a EULA ...
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA | |
| jimbo2150
join:2004-05-10
Youngstown, OH
| Spyware can be defined as any program or website for that matter ('code' in general) that tracks your movement online for any reason (like displaying customized ADs). No, GoogleAds is not spyware, they go by the information presented on the site that they are located.
Cydoor, by far, is Spyware. I like to call spyware AdwareX2 since it spys on you and creates Ads.
Spyware on the other hand is a little better, yes it does make pop-up ads and annoying banners but does not track you in any way. Spyware I consider to be a step in the right direction, but not quite there...
Personally I would like to see ALL spyware and adware abolished.
I tell you what, I was more likely to click on an interesting AD Banner on a website in 1995 when thats ALL they were, just an image banner. All this spyware/adware/moving ads, etc. causes me to forget to even look at anything interesting as I am more consumed in CLOSING ADS!
--
- "Techie" Jim | |
|
funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC
·Verizon Online DSL
·Skype
| The letter-writer's message says that it is a requirement that their hosts software discloses that an ad-generating program will be installed with the software. And, because of this requirement, it lends legitimacy to Cydoor.
Sorry, Cydoor, but you know as well as we do that people don't read those damn things. Right or wrong, they simply don't.
I don't mind AdWare, as long as I have a choice. I don't mind you knowing that you've sent me the Phoenix College ad 17 times in the past week -- although I wonder why you send it an 18th time if I haven't clicked it yet. I don't mind that you know that I've clicked on the Ad for my own wireless spy camera...
I do mind that this is done sneakily ... when I did not knowingly opt-in, and now I can't uninstall it -- if I even know where they're coming from!! AdWare became MalWare because of this -- you guys shot yourselves in the foot.
If you want to add legitimacy, then make it an obvious and complete panel in the installation wizard that puts it up front and simply:
SuperSoftware is advertiser-supported. You will see ads while using this software.
Do you want
• more info about our ads? (how often, how big, how g-rated, noisy)
• to know about our data collection and privacy policy? -
• to stop installing SuperSoftware, or install it later?
• to install advertiser-supported SuperSoftware now?
Also:
1. Have standards. Don't sell out to annoying advertisers who want you to serve ads that will just piss people off and soil -your- reputation.
2. Be family friendly.
3. Be quiet, at least until clicked.
4. Obey OS conventions. If the host app is not in the foreground, neither should its ad be in the foreground. Flash the taskbar button like a good little application. You may assume the foreground above the host application.
5. Name your host application with every ad -- so we know what is causing the ad.
6. Cleanly and completely uninstall with the host application.
If you follow the above advice, you may go far.
However, lose the name Cydoor, it is forever tarnished. Your history not uninstalling, or installing after being told not to, or hidden/missing EULAs by your host software -- has tarnished your name but good!
If you've turned over a new leaf, then call yourself something else. Cydoor means something now, and it's not good. As in, "careful you don't step in the Cydoor!"
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA | |
| | 
masterwolfe2
Resident Redneck
join:2001-03-07
Hiawassee, GA
| Re: Several Observations said by funchords : Cydoor means something now, and it's not good. As in, "careful you don't step in the Cydoor!" ROFLMAO 
--
Comcast HSI and DVR (DCT-6412), Huntsville, AL | |
| 
SPAD xiii
Premium
join:2003-08-31
Marion, OH | If there's a problem calling it SPAM.
Why don't we call it...
Software Formerly Known As SPAM
| |
| 
footballdude
Premium
join:2002-08-13
Imperial, MO
| This reminds me of the chocolate sketch from Monty Python.
Seller: 'It clearly says in the ingredients list, Lark's vomit'.
Cop: 'It should have a huge flashing neon sign saying, 'Warning! Lark's Vomit!''
(paraphrase, but you get the idea)
If you're installing software bundled with other software, don't hide it in the EULA, put it right out front. 'Attention, installing this software will also install Cydoor client software which will track ad stats and send them to their servers. Do you wish to continue?' | |
| 
C0deZer0
Oc'D To Rhythm And Police
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL | If Cydoor cannot admit that their software is malignant by nature, then it is their failure and they rightly deserve to be called spyware. | |
| | | |
|
