| Charter installs Spyware at installation (cfd.exe) I just had Charter High Speed Cable Internet service installed. While the connection speed is great, I found some spyware installed on my computer after they left.
I did a full search of my system for spyware before they came using a program called Ad-Aware which is available from www.lavasoft.nu
Then after they left, my firewall (Zone Alarm) started to ask me about a program called cfd.exe
After some searching, I found that this programs is from Broadjump Client Foundation. It tracks the internet sites visited and catalogs them and other demographic and sales information on the computer in which it is installed and then sends this information back to the company.
If you want to confirm this, just do a search on your system for cfd.exe and then search for the file on www.google.com
After removing the program, I sent my compaint to Charter. I suggest you do the same.
While I can appreciate the desire for Charter to make additional money on their service, I do not support you doing this at the expense of my privacy, especially when I am not told about it. |
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| said by ollie232:
After some searching, I found that this programs is from Broadjump Client Foundation. It tracks the internet sites visited and catalogs them and other demographic and sales information on the computer in which it is installed and then sends this information back to the company.
To my understanding this is a a troubleshooting tool that has not fully developed/implemented yet. Do you have a website/link that says otherwise...meaning actually says "tracks the internet sites visited and catalogs them and other demographics" ?? Thanks. On a side note..you should be able to remove from add/remove programs without any problems.
[text was edited by author 2002-12-17 16:38:28] |
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| reply to ollie232
I did find this thread: »Got Charter Broadjump software?
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"I'm gonna' need some pliers, and a set of 30 weight ball bearings." -Irwin M. Fletcher |
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 MarillaI Am My Own ArbiterPremium
join:2002-12-06
Belpre, OH | reply to Monster Rain
BroadJump is pretty much flat-out adware, and a read of the site www.broadjump.com seems to uphold that; You have to get past the Market-Speak to realize that, though; People all over the country, with all kinds of ISPs, get their internet connection up-and-running fine without the BroadJump software; It might have some possible applications that would be helpful to a user, but I'm not aware of them. Mostly it is to assist in tracking marketing-related information.
Tracing actual Internet use, troubleshooting connections, and authentication are all done by much more standard means than a proprietary piece of software which no ISP is willing to 'require' for access (none that I know of, anyway)
I'm trying to remember now, but when I first got Charter Pipeline, I don't recall getting any sort of software at all. A guy simply came to the house, asked me to plug it in, and he just made sure the NIC in the computer was set up to use DHCP. Had he broken a CD out, I'm fairly sure I would have had a memorable discussion with him... I absolutely would not have permitted him to install anything. hehe |
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| reply to Monster Rain
Here are a few links to get you started. The funny thing is when you call Charter tech support. They have a standard thing that they read when you ask them about this that says that is important for support monitoring and such. After they finish and you start to ask them about spyware and the monitoring of users actions and tracking, they get very jumpy and told me that they can't talk about that.
»www.interesting-people.org/archi···164.html
This URL is little long, but has some good info on it »Got Charter Broadjump software?
»pub115.ezboard.com/fthechronicle···=8.topic
Also, the following quotes are directly from Broadjump's website at »www.broadjump.com
"The ChannelDirect Program enables providers to offer compelling value-added services to subscribers at specific points of interaction in the service life cycle, when the subscriber is most likely to purchase related services. When a subscriber selects a service, it is fulfilled seamlessly. The entire process is simple and efficient."
(i.e. they allow the sellers to offer their products to end-users when the end-users are trying to buy something)
»Got Charter Broadjump software?
Now the software from suport.com that is on the computer supposedly does some of the same monitoring, but it is required for technical support on your system. Even if support.com happens to also track your usage, at least their software does some good on your system. |
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| reply to Marilla
The only software that is installed that I am aware of is the supportsoft software, that is being deployed as we speak.
»support.charter.com/sdcuser/asp/···inue.y=7
The "Charter support tool" under 'Downloads and game support' section.
I am not sure what is on the CDs that install techs carry, but I do know that tool is installed.
The tool is NOT an spyware tool, it is in fact a tool to back up information on your tcp/ip stack and other connection critical software.
There is the ability for Charter HSD to remotely connect to your computer, but there are ALOT of security features, and the customer is the one who initiates the connection, not vis versa.
Believe me I questioned the security aspect of it ALOT.
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guycad: It may take you days and large clumps of hair to get it to work,CyberSchnook:I am so screwed--I haven't had large clumps of hair for years.  |
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 DeVore
join:2001-12-08
Madison, WI | reply to ollie232
Indeed. Actually I've been seeing reports of this becoming more and more common. I don't know what Charter actually uses Broadjump for (EPMD says they're gonna use it for troubleshooting and I have no reason not to believe that) but at the same time I've seen a number of times that text about tracking internet sites and compiling demographics. Do a Google (or a Google groups) search on Broadjump Client Foundation and you'll see.
Regardless of whether it's good or bad, I think it's a serious issue when installers install software on a customer's PC, when the customer isn't technically savvy. Most customers may believe that the software is NECESSARY to have Charter Pipeline.
And, if an installer sets up all of this software, and if the INSTALLER clicks "Accept" on all of the EULAs, then _who_ has actually accepted this? Did the cusotmer accept it? If the customer didn't have time to read and personally click "Accept" themselves, then I don't see how any agreement could be valid, since the agreement would be between Charter and the installer, not Charter and the customer.
Again, I don't know what they actually will use Broadjump for, but just the fact that it might have ANYTHING to do with adware is very distressing.
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Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, by let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances - Sun Tzu, _The Art of War_ |
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| reply to ollie232
I see other ISP's use it as well: »www.broadjump.com/sitemap/sitemap.htm
This link gave some info on bjcfd.exe : »www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist···st_b.htm
I wonder if bjcfd.exe and cfd.exe are the same or different. (I suppose I should know)
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"I'm gonna' need some pliers, and a set of 30 weight ball bearings." -Irwin M. Fletcher |
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| reply to bigbeartech
bigbeartech,
You are correct that the software from supportsoft (support.com) is not pure spyware. As I pointed out in my second post on this topice, it does serve a useful need. Your post explained this a little better though. There is the ability for the company to also track your usage patterns, but it has not become evident that they are doing this, and this functionality needs to be there for the support funcion.
However, the software from Broadjump serves no purpose other than to track your usage and personal information and to allow them to push advertising to you about products and services. While they tell you this a very "marketing way" that tries to convince you that it is a good thing, it isn't. If I want to buy something, I'll go find it myself. I don't need some program (that I didn't even ask for and was secretly put on my computer by Charter) telling me what to buy.
Why hasn't Broadjump started to use this feature in mass yet? It is very simple; they want to get a certain number of people on it before they start their push advertising. Already on TechTV and CNET there has been coverage of them selling your personal demographic information.
Keep in mind that once it is sold it is out there. Your not getting it back. I completely disagree with your "wait and see" stance. |
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 pit_viper1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide
join:2002-07-24
Play_Hockey | Cox, Roadrunner, SWBell, and Sony all use it. It is not spyware nor does it track any of your usage. |
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 HappyBunnyHi. Cram It.Premium
join:2001-06-23
Long Beach, CA
kudos:1 | reply to ollie232
Re: Charter installs Spyware at installation (cfd. As far as Support Soft goes, it is not compatible with macs, so I haven't had to worry about that.
But Broadjump *is*. They are obviously savvy enough marketers to know Mac users are early adopters of new technologies, so they dont want to miss out on that marketing push! However, the Charter tech that installed my broadband last year didnt want to touch my Mac, so I escaped its deathly touch.
Charter is not the only one using broadjump. SBC/Yahoo packages it in their startup cd--so along with the Yahoo marketing mess, you can get ads schlepped to your desktop. It was very difficult to open a new DSL account *without* using the broadjump-infested cd--a novice would have never figured it out--nor indeed even understood why they should NOT install it.
As an aside, I have both a pc and a Mac at work--one thing I have noticed is how many more ads the pc receives. Some of these little nasties apparantly are unable to execute or push themselves into my vision on the Mac, and for that, I thank Steve Jobs
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If you want me to be a good little bunny just dangle some carats in front of my nose. |
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 DewiPremium
join:2001-09-28
united kingd | reply to pit_viper
Actually what does it do. I removed mine an hour after the tech left (he even recommended to do so). I have never been asked about it since, or has it affected my connectivity. If it is not used as a collation device, and tech support never ask for it/about it what do Charter use it for? |
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HappyBunnyHi. Cram It.Premium
join:2001-06-23
Long Beach, CA
kudos:1 | reply to pit_viper
said by pit_viper:
Cox, Roadrunner, SWBell, and Sony all use it. It is not spyware nor does it track any of your usage.
It **is** adware though. The Broadjump site says this about it:
quote:
BroadJump's ChannelDirect Program, comprised of the leading content and applications providers in today's hottest markets, creates immediate revenue opportunities for broadband service providers through pre-integrated offerings of services such as firewall, virus protection, parental control, and online gaming. The result is that broadband providers are given a highly effective marketing tool to generate new revenue and increase profitability through the presentation and fulfillment of offers, while BroadJump ChannelDirect Program partners are provided an innovative, new channel to market content.
What is that, if not a marketing tool, designed to push stuff at me?
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If you want me to be a good little bunny just dangle some carats in front of my nose. |
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| reply to ollie232
Re: Charter installs Spyware at installation (cfd.exe) If I remember correctly it tried to connect every time I opened a connection . I would check it but there is no way it is going back on the system !
A rule that I have always used , is that any software that wants to send anything out by itself had better tell me clearly what it wants to send and where , and give me a chance to say no.
Anything that I catch trying to "sneak " a connection does NOT get a second chance !
If it is really there to help us , why not tell us up front what info it is collecting and where it is sending it? |
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| reply to pit_viper
techoncall: Just because several other big companies install it as part of their broadband package (you also forgot to mention Yahoo/SBC) doesn't mean that it is spyware.
"Oh Puhlease" is correct with his/her quote. Broadjumps site even says that it tracks your usage so that it can market products, services, and other things to you. You just have to read through the marketing language.
You will end up in a lot of trouble with your computer if you take the word of every marketing person you listen to that is trying to sell you something or convince you that their program is ok. Also, I have called Charter about this 4 times now and only twice was I able to get the service rep to admit what the program really was. They also said that they are required to install the program whenever they install/work on a computer -- even though they do not personally agree with it.
Note: The Broadjump program is very easy to UNISTALL. Simply go to your Add/Remove programs under control panel and remove it. At least, they made it easy to remove. |
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 WolfenxXxHeadshot
join:2001-08-14
Guntersville, AL | reply to ollie232
Im not a charter fan at all because of there lame service in this area. They should not be allowed to do such things.
A connection is very easy to install without inserting there junked up disk on your pc. I get very frustrated at some of the things people and some corporations are allowed to get away with. Its just wrong.
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"A True Leader Leads by Motivation and Inspiration, Not Manipulation or Intimidation" |
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| reply to ollie232
Yeah I got the self install and I knew from reading up on it that charter is DHCP (most everything is these days) so I set my computer to obtain an ip and hooked it up and wahlah.
I refuse to put software on my computer to get net access unless I know what it is.
I learned the hard way years ago not to EVER let a tech touch your computer unless you don't care about anything on it.
This should be one of the first things you ask a potential ISP before you subscribe.
I don't know what charter will say, but you do NOT need it. I am living proof.
I had COX earlier this year and when they switched over from @home they said you had to have the disk they sent out and you didn't. That also installed some funky crap from what I heard. I just changed some settings and once again wahlah.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think that most any cable can always be accessed without any extra software.
DSL that uses PPPoE needs the connection manager, but I think that is it. |
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DeVore
join:2001-12-08
Madison, WI | reply to ollie232
PPPoE is nastiness. I wouldn't go with any ISP that won't do basic DHCP (or manual) configuration for true TCP/IP connectivity.
It should be noted that "Broadjump Client Foundation" is the only program we're aware Charter installs. We don't know for sure that that's the same application discussed on Broadjump.com - "ChannelDirect." We can read what the ChannelDirect system does, but I don't know if that's the same thing being installed on Charter's systems (the cfd.exe file.)
As for the ISP saying that you "need" to install such stuff to get up an running, I'm sure the reps saying this don't realize that you don't really need to do this either. It is pretty invasive, though, when you consider that they tell you "you need to install this to use the internet" and what's really going on is:
- your browser is being branded to Charter
- the installer is likely agreeing to lots of different AUP/EULAs as he/she installs the software
- a remote access client is being installed on your system to give the ISP the ability to control your box
... it's a little insulting, actually, they they just say, "You need to install this to access the 'net" when 1. that isn't even accurate, and 2. they're actually installing all that other stuff. Ick!
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Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, by let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances - Sun Tzu, _The Art of War_ |
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dwozny
join:2002-10-30
Norco, CA | reply to ollie232
the guy that installed my service flat out told me that the "charter software" is spyware and suggested that we both pretend that he installed it.
i graciously agreed and after checking the task list and running ad-aware, am clean as a whistle ! |
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pit_viper1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide
join:2002-07-24
Play_Hockey | The Channel Direct is not bundled on the software. I just installed it on my PC here at home and had some tech support reps make some connections to my PC. Pretty neat stuff.
I had to give the ok like 20 times before they could even connect to my computer. |
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