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| Vague EULA terms After noticing the posts run all around the issue of what is and isn't collected, I didn't see where anyone mentioned that the EULAs for most spyware/adware state they are free to change the policy at ANY time without notifying the user. So they decide to change it and load some additional piece of scumware from an 'affiliate', something the user never intentionally agreed to.
I've fought with spyware for years (since it actually became a problem) and I tell you, 90% of the folks that get it do not know HOW it was installed - they claim they never agreed to anything. You let one in, either deliberately or not, and its almost a guarantee that in less than a month, you'll find no less than 3 more unwanted packages.
In my opinion, spyware should be treated no differently than a virus legal-wise ... prosecute the companies that author it just like any other 'hacker'! Until you've been on the recieving end of supporting hundreds of Corporate PCs used by average morons, AND have to keep spyware off of them knowing the only reason it is there is to earn some idiot marketer a couple of cents for every popup it does, you can't possibly appreciate the anger over the wasted time removing this crap.
On the bright side, at least Hotbar is one of the easy ones to kill. | |
| There is no question that Hotbar hides the juicy parts of its Terms of Use/License on pages 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this 4500+ word document. Further, its Privacy Policy is 3800+words. Hotbar knows that a great majority of its potential users will not read either document and even if they did most would not understand these intentionally convoluted documents filled with legal-speak. It's fraud and it's deception. Just because its illegal activity is included and spelled out in these documents does not make it legal or right.
Hotbar intentionally deceives and misleads its potential users by putting the "Microsoft Certified Partner" logo on its main pages. Their obvious intent is for the potential victim to believe that Microsoft endorses Hotbar in some way; which of course, is not true. Most people have no idea what a Microsoft Certified Partner is. Hotbar knows this, you know this, and I know this. They count on ignorance to persuade potential victims into a false belief that Microsoft endorses Hotbar. This is intentional fraud.
A while back, Hotbar's fraudulent conduct included a marketing campaign in which they stated they were an "Upgrade to Outlook". Those of us who advise clients on computer safety tell them to download updates for Windows, Internet Explorer and Outlook/Outlook Express. Hotbar intentionally exploited the word "upgrade" to Outlook, when in fact it is neither an upgrade or a Microsoft product.
One thing is for certain. Hotbar is a dangerous and deceptive company which will go to any lengths to line its pockets with ill-gotten gains. They border on criminal activity. One test that was done showed Hotbar installed and icon on the user's desktop for its "WowPapers Chat". Any child could click that link and end up in a sexually oriented chatroom where they are constantly prodded (by popups which appear at random intervals) to provide their Real Name and address. This is against the law in the United States. No one would want their 13 year-old child in a chat room where user names like "BIG_DICK4U" are prowling around. Yet Hotbar makes no mention of this activity yet I have personally seen it. The icon is installed on the users desktop without any mention that it will be installed there. In fact, to de-install Hotbar's WowPapers you have to go to Hotbar's site to download an uninstaller.
The Hotbar company is fraudulent and deceptive. Even its claims of being a New York based Internet company are questionable. Obviously their base is Tel Aviv. Why the deception? This company will go to any lengths to deceive the potential user and get their insidious program installed on as many computers as possible. This is an outrage.
Someone should request everyone who has had computer problems or noticed and spike in spam or unusual computer activity after installing to write to a central address and that someone should file a class-action lawsuit against Hotbar for deception, fraud, and damages. I would think $1 billion would be enough to but these miscreants out of business - don't you?
Hotbar is free to sue me. I'll counter-sue with thousands of others whose systems have been damaged and whose privacy has been violated by this insidious suite of noxious applications. I would dearly to lay a $1 billion class-action lawsuit on this company and put them forever where they belong: Out of business.
Oren? Where are you? | |
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