chesney09
Premium
join:2004-07-26
Redford, MI
clubs:
| I think it be only...
Appropriate to, AT LEAST, let a user know about the adware/spyware. as stated in the article very well, It isn't the end of the world to have WeatherBug or even Hotbar persay... It is nice to be alerted that there is software on MY computer transmitting ANY data back over the internet connection I PAY FOR, about site I visit, etc. Now, How I choose to respond to that alert is my choice.. At least I have a choice at that point. |
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jsouth
Jsouth
join:2000-12-12
Wichita, KS | Email
Someone should put all of their contact info on newsgroups and other spam lists. See how they like it. Same with their lawyers contact info.
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BTK is Caught!!!! |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| Adware being detected by Adware/Spyware program
Let's see - Hotbar is 'adware', Sunbelt claimed it to be low risk adware - I don't see any harm here. From the cease and desist letter, Hotbar doesn't even want to be visible as Adware by Adware/Spyware removal programs so that they wan make $$$$. If it is adware, and detected, own up to it. |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Too bad I can't see that Hotbar page...NOT!
As they and hundreds of other parasite URLs are in my
hosts file (I'm using the MVPS one).
To paraphrase Mark Twain:
"There are lies, damn lies, and then there is adware
company PR".
Another scumbag adware company threatening legal action
against anti-spyware sites. Seems they don't have a legal
leg to stand on, especially if their product is in
violation of the COPPA (which it appears to be).
--
"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.To RIAA/MPAA - You can sue but you can't catch everyone! |
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wmcbrine
Touched by His Noodly Appendage
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD | OK...
Since they don't want to be known as "low-risk adware", let's just call them "high-risk spyware" from now on. |
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batman45
@charter.com | Agreed.... |
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gukid
@faneuil.com
| Why not just...
make a new ad-ware/spyware/rogue program scanner, as an advanced version of add/remove programs. Heck, maybe microsoft could just add it on. Basicially it would show you all the programs on your computer, and scan for any other programs, flagging them if they
a. display ads
b. track information
and give the user the option of which ones they want to have removed. This way there's no liability, but just informing the user of what's installed.
Or rather, rename the programs even. Call it "Stealthy program detector" and shows all programs you "may not have known were even installed" giving the option to remove them. As the lawers I'm sure know, it's all in the way it's presented. |
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RBFA
@151.143.x.x
| Read Ben's Fracking Article
Hotbar claims that none of the major anti-spyware apps such as AdAware, Spyware S&D, MS Anti-Spyware Beta, etc., detect Hotbar in their malware sweeps.
This particular piece of "low risk adware" is pretty invasive as you will see from Ben's sceenies.
Can someone check to see if Hotbar ("official Microsoft Business Partner") is in any of the def files? I'd check but don't have access to my own PCs at the moment. |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
| said by RBFA:
Hotbar claims that none of the major anti-spyware apps such as AdAware, Spyware S&D, MS Anti-Spyware Beta, etc., detect Hotbar in their malware sweeps.
That claim of theirs is just plain false, at least when it
comes to Spybot Search & Destroy:
--
"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.To RIAA/MPAA - You can sue but you can't catch everyone! |
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mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY | Hotbar is scum, we all know this  |
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wriley
I'M Sick Of Fixing Your Computer.
Premium
join:2001-08-30
Edmonton, AB
clubs:  | Again happy with counter spy
Im glad there is one company who is making no compromises, i would have thought MS wouldnt have bowed to pressure either. |
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novaflare
The Dragon Was Here
Premium
join:2002-01-24
Barberton, OH
| reply to gukid
Re: Why not just...
said by gukid:
make a new ad-ware/spyware/rogue program scanner, as an advanced version of add/remove programs. Heck, maybe microsoft could just add it on. Basicially it would show you all the programs on your computer, and scan for any other programs, flagging them if they
a. display ads
b. track information
and give the user the option of which ones they want to have removed. This way there's no liability, but just informing the user of what's installed.
Or rather, rename the programs even. Call it "Stealthy program detector" and shows all programs you "may not have known were even installed" giving the option to remove them. As the lawers I'm sure know, it's all in the way it's presented.
you know thats not half bad esp to the part up to here
make a new advanced version of add/remove programs. Heck, maybe microsoft could just add it on. Basicially it would show you all the programs on your computer, and scan for any other programs, flagging them if they
a. display ads
b. track information
and give the user the option of which ones they want to have removed. This way there's no liability, but just informing the user of what's installed.
Lets see spyware authors find a way to order such a programs authors to do a damn thing 
--
DSLR security chat at us.ausirc.net chanel #dslr_sec lets pack this channelopen source dns server for *nix and windows »powerdns.com |
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mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
| Counterspy and Spybot
Kudos to both Counterspy and Spybot for not removing the detections for Hotbar. Hotbar doesn't have a legal leg to stand on with respect to Counterspy as it is listed as "adware" not "malware" or "spyware" and the user is given the option of keeping or deleting instead of an automatic delete.
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God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die. |
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damox
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Olympia, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..
| They Should Be WORRIED About Their Image!
If Hotbar is not adware . . . then what the heck is it? I hate Hotbar, and when I see that crap on my friend's systems, I volunteer to remove it for them, along with all the other adware and spyware that is loaded on their computers. I also remove Hotbar at work, just about every time I see it.
"it installs itself via banner ads on kid websites"
Oh yeah, that's really honorable! . . . and they want people to have respect for their crapware? Just the fact that they prey on children makes me hate the company! I think the folks at Hotbar.com are a bunch of scum bags!
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DAMOX Proud to be a member of Team Discovery |
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GooglinAbout
join:2005-03-27
Jacksonville, FL
|  NO, Hotbar is NOT a Microsoft Business Partner
Regarding RBFA's comment: "Can someone check to see if Hotbar ("official Microsoft Business Partner") ..."
NO NO NO.. Hotbar is NOT a Microsoft Business Partner and there is no where this is even indicated. Hotbar uses the "Microsoft Certified Partner" logo, which ANYONE can use if they are capable of programming software and ask for the cert from Micrsoft. It is clearly stated on Microsoft's Certified Partner site area that they do NOT support sites that display this, as follows:
Disclaimer for a Microsoft Certified Parnter:
The partners listed in the Microsoft Resource Directory are part of the Microsoft Partner Program, however Microsoft does not endorse any of the partners or their software, solutions, services and training listed on this site. Microsoft disclaims any and all liability arising out of your use of the partners, software, solutions, services and training listed on the site. All software, solutions, services and training are provided “as is” and without warranty unless provided by the authoring partner.
Hotbar (and a few other well known adware/spyware programs) "proudly" display this logo hoping to fool people into thinking Microsoft somehow endorses their product. For those that have been following Hotbar and its tactics, you will recall that for years they advertised as an "Update to Outlook" which they are not, and never have been. Recently that was changed to "Update your email" which in my opinion is still misleading since they are not an update at all and the wording is used for one reason... to make people think they need to update since every where you turn you hear.. Update! Stay protected! Keep your computer secure.. Update! Update! What a shame these people are even in business. |
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Swingerhead
Premium
join:2004-04-06
Richmond, VA | reply to novaflare
Re: Why not just...
You just need to run IE as a low security user, not admin. That solves the problem completely. There are programs out there that let you run specific programs as specific users. |
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bedelman
Premium
join:2004-06-20
Cambridge, MA
1 edit | reply to GooglinAbout
More on the MS-Hotbar relationship
GooglinAbout, can you give a URL for the text you quote? I'd like to link to it from my piece.
In »www.benedelman.org/spyware/insta···405.html , I explain my sense of the meaning of the MS "Certified Partner" logo -- precisely matching what you describe. But I couldn't readiliy find the disclaimer you reference. |
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Reddock
@rr.com
| »www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpex···logo.asp
It specifically forbids software developers from displaying the logo to make it appear that the software is somehow endorsed by Microsoft, or that the software developer is affiliated with Microsoft. Hotbar strikes out on both.
Reddock |
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Arthur96
join:2000-12-17
Salem, NH
1 edit | Now this really bothers me
MS Antispy partner? |
Question why on earth did MS remove hotbar from there antispy defs? i KNOW theres no way hotbar could threten |
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