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Adware Vendor Hotbar Worried About Image
While their 4,562-word EULA targets kids
Anti-Spyware vendor Sunbelt Software last week received a cease and desist letter from Hotbar, who take issue with Sunbelt categorizing their toolbar as "low risk adware". Spyware researcher Ben Edelman digs into Hotbar and finds it installs itself via banner ads on kid websites, and its EULA is not particularly forthcoming. As Edelman notes, there's an increase in adware that targets kids, when kids clicking "yes" may not even be legally binding. Note Hotbar's "anti-spyware" web-page.
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chesney09
Premium Member
join:2004-07-26
Howell, MI

chesney09

Premium Member

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.
jsouth
Jsouth
join:2000-12-12
Wichita, KS

jsouth

Member

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.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

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.

Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium Member
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX

1 recommendation

Doctor Four

Premium Member

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).

wmcbrine
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD

wmcbrine

Member

OK...

Since they don't want to be known as "low-risk adware", let's just call them "high-risk spyware" from now on.

batman45
@charter.com

batman45

Anon

Re: OK...

Agreed....

gukid
@faneuil.com

gukid

Anon

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.
Nanaki (banned)
aka novaflare. pull punches? Na
join:2002-01-24
Akron, OH

Nanaki (banned)

Member

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

Swingerhead
Premium Member
join:2004-04-06
Richmond, VA

Swingerhead

Premium Member

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.

RBFA
@151.143.x.x

RBFA

Anon

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.

Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium Member
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX

Doctor Four

Premium Member

Re: Read Ben's Fracking Article

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:

Glaice
Brutal Video Vault
Premium Member
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Glaice

Premium Member

Re: Read Ben's Fracking Article

Hotbar is scum, we all know this

wriley
I'M Sick Of Fixing Your Computer.
Premium Member
join:2001-08-30
Edmonton, AB

wriley

Premium Member

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.

mers2
Premium Member
join:2004-03-20
USA

mers2

Premium Member

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.
damox
Premium Member
join:2002-01-07
Olympia, WA

damox

Premium Member

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!
GooglinAbout
join:2005-03-27
Jacksonville, FL

GooglinAbout

Member

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.
bedelman0
Premium Member
join:2004-06-20
Cambridge, MA

1 edit

bedelman0

Premium Member

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/spywa ··· 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.

Reddock
@rr.com

Reddock

Anon

Re: More on the MS-Hotbar relationship

»www.microsoft.com/learni ··· 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
bedelman0
Premium Member
join:2004-06-20
Cambridge, MA

bedelman0

Premium Member

compliance with MS logo guidelines

Good find! I've updated »www.benedelman.org/spywa ··· 405.html with a new fifth paragraph that may be of interest. Lots of fine print in the logo usage guidelines, and it looks like Hotbar didn't read it all (or in any event didn't care to comply).
Arthur96
join:2000-12-17
Salem, NH

1 edit

Arthur96

Member

Now this really bothers me


MS Antispy partner?
so i guess all the MS pc's at the campus all have hotbar huh?

Question why on earth did MS remove hotbar from there antispy defs? i KNOW theres no way hotbar could threten
bedelman0
Premium Member
join:2004-06-20
Cambridge, MA

bedelman0

Premium Member

Hotbar's TRUSTe Certificate Revoked

See »sunbeltblog.blogspot.com ··· ked.html : Hotbar's TRUSTe certificate was apparently revoked today for impermissible use of TRUSTe's logo, in violation of applicable TRUSTe rules.

help
@range86-132.btcentra

help

Anon

were do i get it?

were can i download this oni game it looks realy good and i had it on playstation 2 but is there anywere i can download it for free i downloadid it on bearshare but it sed it needed to be updated so is there anywere i can download the game or the update for free? pllz help!!!!!
help

help

Anon

were can i download this oni game it looks realy good and i had it on playstation 2 but is there anywere i can download it for free i downloadid it on bearshare but it sed it needed to be updated so is there anywere i can download the game or the update for free? pllz help!!!!!