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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player Can someone please enlighten me: Is there any real security issue with ViewPoint Media Player or do people just resent it because it gets installed in somewhat sneaky fasion as part of AIM/AOL? My wife and kids like some of the AOL features so I keep the AOL software on board. I was under the impression that the VMP was the integral player within AOL used for certain media files. Is it dangerous? Is it spyware? Will AOL work properly w/o it? I'm confused.
BTW, with regard to AIM I use version 5.2.3277 in conjunction with the last free version of DeadAIM and get no ads or popups. What harm is VMP doing? Just curious.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? | |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
| Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player "The software creates a unique tracking number ("Customer Unique Identifier" is their term). This number and other information is transmitted, without asking, to Viewpoint servers. The software downloads updates and installs them on the computer, also without asking."
Sound like spyware to me.  | |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player OK, I just read the whole explanation here. Even with a "unique tracking number" it would seem they could only track info about the media content played with their software. If VMP only plays content dished out by AOL/AIM, what's the big deal if they collect data about how their own media content is used? Doesn't sound particularly sinister. I wouldn't think there's any way to personally identify me as an individual. Besides, isn't it easy enough to deny access with a basic free firewall like ZoneAlarm? I don't like the idea of automatic updates without permission, but I still don't understand what terrible thing Viewpoint does. Maybe I'm just naive.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? | |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player Just trying to be objective for a moment, I look at it this way. Most of us have been using AIM now for what, maybe five years? Nobody I know has paid one penny for the software itself or access to the AIM network. The software is constantly updated and features added, many of them useful (file transfers come to mind). You can talk to whomever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. You can create as many screen name/identities as you want. As far as I know there's no limit to the amount of buddies you can have. Like you say, all of this is optional. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of this very robust free program, I think you have to expect to pay the piper on some level at some point. In the greater scheme of things, even just in the realm of computer/internet security, this is a relatively trivial matter in my opinion. If one decides AIM's tactics are too invasive or offensive, they can try an alternate IM program like Trillian, modify AIM, or choose not to use Instant Messaging at all.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? | |
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DSL_Steve
Premium
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT
| Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player All right, tell me if I have this right regarding this thread.
(1)Viewpoint Media Player runs the AIM video ads in the upper portion of the buddy list window. and..
(2)WildTangent is for a new AIM buddy-games "feature" that auto updates files used to play these games AND if you uninstall WT and continue to use AIM, it may/will get automatically reinstalled again.
Do I have it correctly? | |
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DSL_Steve
Premium
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT | Re: AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player Can anyone answer my questions above? | |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Not if I don't let it past my firewall. It isn't going to
phone home with anything if I deny it access through Sygate.
I can really see no reason to allow it access if the only
thing it serves as is a vehicle for unsolicited advertising.
If it does this without clear and informed consent (in the
EULA or in the company's privacy policy), then it most
certainly is spyware.
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"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. | |
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Randy Bell
Premium
join:2002-02-24
Santa Clara, CA
| I think WildTangent is more closely "spyware" than the other .. but even in WT's case, you can uninstall that component without affecting functionality of the newest AIM 5.5 instant message client .. so, I guess I fail to see what's worth getting worked up about .. but I understand some are very sensitive to anything that doesn't first ask permission to be installed. I agree with the other comment, that freeware can be expected to have some "ad" type of support else it wouldn't remain freeware forever .. just look at jv16 Power Tools, for example, it used to be free .. but no more .. JMHO. 
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"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13) | |
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