Morac
join:2001-08-30
Riverside, NJ
 ·Comcast
| Get consent
I think any software (not just spyware/malware) that installs or updates itself without the consent of the user should be banned.
And I don't count clicking "OK" at the EULA agreement written in lawyerese at install time as consent.
1. A program should specifically say that it is going to be installed, what files will be installed and where and give you the option to cancel the install.
1a. If an installation program installs other software besides itself (like AIM does), it should give you the option to not install that software or at least tell you it will do so and give you the option to cancel the entire install.
2. If a program needs to self-update itself then it should ask you each time it needs to do so. There can be a check box where you can give future consent if you don't want it to ask you in the future.
Any software that doesn't follow these 2 simple rules should be illegal.
The only possible exception I might give is to automatic installation of OS critical patches and anti-virus updates. I only say that because morons would never update otherwise. Even that should at least tell you it is doing so though and give you the option to disable it.
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"snmp: the standard e-mail protocol on the Internet" - LinkSys user manual (page 17) |
