AOL Security Breach

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They started their downward spiral years ago. This is just something else that will accelerate it.

hmm... Don't use aol .....

most of us are forced to connect to aim servers to chat with our newbie friends.

AOL... it just makes me sick

I agree, now they're trying to sell their "optimized" crap everywhere...

DIE ALREADY AOHELL!!!

That's right up there with one of their employees selling names and adddress of subscribers a while back. I'l still getting mail from that.

O.

Yes, that's right. AOL, America Online, sucks. There are many reasons for this, some well known, others not so well known. AOL even sucks so bad that an entire newsgroup is dedicated to telling people how pathetic AOL truly is. If you visit Usenet, go to alt.aol-sucks, and you'll see tons of posts dealing with the truth of comparisons between real ISPs and AOL. For more discussion between AOLers and real ISPers, go to alt.aol, which features more debate (and arguments ) than a.a-s. Besides the NGs, there are also other web sites that publicize many of the reasons that AOL is a poor service. Some of these can be found in my Links section. »anti-aol.org/knightheart ··· rt.shtml

But they started with so many subscribers. The exodus of subscribers will take a long time to kill AOL.

I like AIM. Don't let aol die

o forgot abt AIM.. AOL live long !

hope this dont affect aol canada, cause i find them reliable, they go faster then sympatico and go bout the same speed as roger, so i find it nice.

I can tell this is going to turn into a debate about which IM client is better. Awesome.

"So we've been in the process of looking into what the situation is, and we've taken some immediate corrective steps to address the issue - although there is no more information, we're working very diligently to provide a resolution to it as soon as possible."

Corporate B.S. to cover up the truth on what's real going on behind the scenes at American Online.

Anyone dumb enough to keep their financial portfolio on AOL servers deserves a little wake up call, what were they thinking????

huh ?

I never understood why one would pay for internet "Browsing service" when you can choose from a bunch of free browsers, also paying the price of dsl for a dial-up connection. What happened to common sense?. When will people learn that AOL is the biggest scam out there. Internet explorer = Free.........Just get an ISP.

I lost my train of though just thinking about it.

said by ShootToThril:

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Internet explorer = Free.........Just get an ISP.

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Oh yeah... there you go... get more secure by using MSIE.

And last time I checked AOL was an ISP, not a browser.

Anyone remember Novell? They started to die like 10 years ago and there doing ok.. It might take aol another 10 years..

"And last time I checked AOL was an ISP, not a browser."

But most AOL users haven't a clue what the internet actually is. All they know is AOL's browser is the internet...that's pathetic!

I have used IE and IE based browsers from the start, not one infection.

AOL *IS* malware!

Yes, AOL sucks.

However, AOL is where it is today because a few years ago when you had to manually configure your Dial-Up networking settings with other ISP's, AOL was pretty much just install and surf like it is today. I think it's safe to say that anyone that has been browsing the web for any reasonable length of time has "most likely" used AOL for one reason or another.

AOL has built a reputation for itself on being easy to use. AOL has all the tools you need for web browsing in one big program. You can check your email, browse the web, and chat with friend via IM or with others in chat rooms. All with your little screen name and password. No need to know your mail server address, no need to download, install and configure other chat program.

Now, I realize that configuring another ISP's services is pretty much as easy as setting up AOL these days. However, the fact remains that you have to use multiple programs to do what AOL 15.4 "super duper otpimized plus deluxe" can to by itself.

The point, you ask? AOL is here to stay... for at least a long long while. The only way to get rid of them is to educate their customers and prospective customers on how to properly setup and use these other programs (Outlook Express, IRC, etc). I, for one, would volunteer my time to a company or organization that offered some kind of free service to help people get off AOL or to help people that are new to the web use a real ISP.

I think most people have heard that AOL sucks from one person or another, but they continue to use it because they don't want to educate themselves. I know whenever I go to someones house to fix a problem, I drop hints as to why AOL is bad, etc etc if they are using AOL. I've been to houses where the person has DSL and STILL pays AOL the 24 bucks instead of using BYOA for about half that. People in general are just lazy. As the saying goes if it aint broke, why fix it?

And yes... AOL sucks!

I once had aol dsl, it was reliable (never went down), consistent and AOL never destroyed my pc. Had aol dsl, and had a clue what the internet is(then again, everybody isnt me).

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The point, you ask? AOL is here to stay... for at least a long long while
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AOL will be around for at least another five years while more and more internet users move to broadband.

I agree with you that a lot of people who use the internet are both lazy and ignorant about security issues. It's just as easy to pop in a cd-rom and let AOL do all the work for you. I disagree with AOL approach to signing up new users to the internet. Likewise, I think people should take full responsibility in what they do with their ISP account. If this means learning about how to set up a ISP account or protecting their computers from outside risks, then you should still know something about what you are doing. If people did this,their would be less malware and spam problems on the internet. I mean that don't just hand out drivers licenses without the person first learning about the rules of the road first.

Would never use AOL, not in a million years.

said by ShootToThril:

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I never understood why one would pay for internet "Browsing service" when you can choose from a bunch of free browsers, also paying the price of dsl for a dial-up connection. What happened to common sense?. When will people learn that AOL is the biggest scam out there. Internet explorer = Free.........Just get an ISP.

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I have dsl with Earthlink and pay $7.95 for Aol with byoa and it is worth it and not a scam at all. I keep it for the following reasons.......

1) e-mail: in new mail you can have 1000 e-mails that are 16mb each, add to that old mail and sent mail and 7 screen names each with that capacity and Googles 1g e-mail looks rather pathetic. Compare that to Earthlinks ever so generous 10mb or my domains 3mb accounts and for this reason alone Aol makes alot of sense.

2) web space: they don't give much.....2mb per screen name x 7 screen names = 14mb.....but it is ad free with no bandwith limits.

3) free....concerts, movie previews, CNN newspass, etc.

So keep telling me that everything that I pay $7.95 for you can get for free....you can't. It always amuses me that those who claim that they are just too advanced to use Aol don't even have a clue about what Aol offers.

said by CapinPete:

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The only way to get rid of them is to educate their customers and prospective customers on how to properly setup and use these other programs (Outlook Express, IRC, etc.)

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I know a good deal about computers, people call me for tech support and yet I still use Aol with byoa for numerous reasons. You couldn't pay me to use Outbreak and the fact that I don't use it doesn't mean that I don't know how to set it up. In fact, even though I have never had a virus, I have become a pro at removing them for all those I know that do use Outbreak.

said by CapinPete:

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I think most people have heard that AOL sucks from one person or another, but they continue to use it because they don't want to educate themselves.

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I am well educated about computers and yes I have heard from arrogant people like yourself that aol sucks but I also am capable of making decisions for myself. I don't quite understand the mentality that has people proclaiming that they are too good for a piece of software. I mean its like if I would say that because I can create things in Bryce (complex 3d graphics program) I better never use Paint (basic graphics program) again cause I'm just too good for it. That just makes no sense at all to have that kind of an attitude.

said by waldoooo:

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Anyone dumb enough to keep their financial portfolio on AOL servers deserves a little wake up call, what were they thinking????

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Why not? Even if someone accessed the AOL portfolio, they couldn't make any $$ on it. They probably could Edit it and screw up your numbers.

Honestly though, pathetic providers like AOL keep idiots off of ISPs like mine and yours alike. Wouldn't you prefer they overpay for shit service and garbage, so as long as to not interfere with your experience?

I love watching AOL get slammed too, but just thought...

See, there is no need to call me arrogant. I didnt make any personal attacks on anyone, AOL user or otherwise. I dont quite understand why you took what I said the way you did.

Sure, people who are in the know can and do use AOL. Yes, it is my opinion that AOL sucks. However, this isnt a personal attack on anyone, simply my opinion. Furthermore, I meant to imply that people who might not use AOL simply continue using it because they don't know any better. Read this carefully and you will notice that it DOES NOT say that people who use AOL don't know any better.

Even though YOU might be "well educated about computers" I am willing to bet that a GREAT majority of the AOL subscriber base is NOT. So as I said before, "most" people use AOL because they don't know any better. If you educate the AOL subscriber base and prospective subscribers, then you have truly empowered someone to make an "educated" decision for themselves.

As far as your "too good for a piece of software" statement, that analogy has nothing to do with this. I certainly dont have that attitude that you mention. I am a Pro at Microsoft Word and I still use notepad for things, go figure, even with my arrogant attitude.:p

said by CapinPete:

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See, there is no need to call me arrogant. I didnt make any personal attacks on anyone, AOL user or otherwise. I dont quite understand why you took what I said the way you did.

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That isn't a personal attack, it is simply an observation of an attitude that comes across as elitist and it just irritates me that you choose to imply that if I knew better I wouldn't opt to use Aol.

said by CapinPete:

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Sure, people who are in the know can and do use AOL. Yes, it is my opinion that AOL sucks. However, this isnt a personal attack on anyone, simply my opinion. Furthermore, I meant to imply that people who might not use AOL simply continue using it because they don't know any better.

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You don't like Aol, that's fine, don't use it but why the need to recruit others to follow in your mindset? And why do you assume that people who use Aol don't know what their options are?

said by CapinPete:

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Even though YOU might be "well educated about computers" I am willing to bet that a GREAT majority of the AOL subscriber base is NOT. So as I said before, "most" people use AOL because they don't know any better. If you educate the AOL subscriber base and prospective subscribers, then you have truly empowered someone to make an "educated" decision for themselves.

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I like to play around and have the what does this button do mentality. I like to take chances and learn new things. I would guess I would fit into your empowered and educated category of people. I ride a motorcycle and with that I fit into the opposite category...I don't care to know how to change the oil or a tire or know how it runs, those are things the bike shop can deal with. Telling my parents, who simply want to get online to send e-mails and look up vacation destinations or whatever that they must learn more about computers in order to use one would be like telling me that I need to learn how to change a tire before I can ride a bike. Its just not gonna happen. But my point is don't assume that most people who use Aol are more like my parents than me...you cannot come to a conclusion about how much someone knows or doesn't know based on what software they choose to use.

said by CapinPete:

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As far as your "too good for a piece of software" statement, that analogy has nothing to do with this. I certainly dont have that attitude that you mention. I am a Pro at Microsoft Word and I still use notepad for things, go figure, even with my arrogant attitude.:p

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It does have to do with this cause you tried to tell me that because I have knowledge I should no longer be using Aol. And that is like saying that because I know what I'm doing in Bryce I shouldn't use Paint anymore.

I don't use AOL but if someone wants to buy their services I say go right ahead. Who the hell are we to call someone a idiot or stupid just because they want to use a service we don't like. You people are just plain rude. I wonder how many of you knew it all the first time you sat in front of a computer.

You are just turning everything around. It doesnt even look like you are actually paying attention to the words I have typed out. Having said that, the point is (and I'm sure you have a smart ass answer for this, too) if everyone who uses AOL was all of the sudden "educated" in regards to computers, they would most likely dump the service, at least as a primary ISP and move on to a BYOA plan.

It's not an elitist attitude. You are the one with the problem. The average person will think AOL, right off the top of their head, when thinking about "internet access". Just like when I think I want Pizza for dinner, I think Pizza Hut or Papa Johns, not the great mom and pop store down the street. Why is this? Maybe its because Pizza Hut and Papa Johns are always being marketed just like AOL. See what I'm saying? A lot of people, given the knowledge, would dump AOL. The same way as if I found a great mom and pop pizza shop, I would dump Pizza Hut.

And just to be fair with you, I had an AOL account with BYOA for quite a while after I stopped using them as my gateway ISP. Just like you, I had my reasons. And my number 1 gripe with AOL is that they are overpriced and I feel consumers are getting ripped off more than anything. You are most likely going to strike back with the whole "my own decision" deal. If that's the case, then it just goes back to the educated decision thing and round and round we go.

Again, you seem to be taking my statements personally. I'm not even making blanket statements. Notice that I always say "most" AOL users, etc, etc. If you obviously don't fall into that category, why the issue? You said you are "educated in regards to computers", then that would mean that you know the other options you have besides AOL. Ok great, so now everything that I have said doesnt apply to you in the least. I'm suggesting that "MOST"(maybe if I capitalize and stuff you will notice it) AOL users would not use AOL if they knew about other options. It has been my "personal" experience that people will switch from AOL when informed of other options. Of course, everyones personal experiences will vary in this area.

I am NOT saying that people who use AOL are uneducated in anyway. I want to believe that you understand what I AM saying.

I will give you this....many people are like sheep in society.....they flock to Aol because everyone uses it and then they flock away from Aol because people like you get them believing that at a certain point its the thing to do.

However, I will stand by what I have said that one cannot judge someone else's computer intellect simply by what software that person chooses to use. And it does irritate me that the mentality exists that when one gains a certain amount of knowledge that they should feel some sort of obligation to leave Aol.

Just using one feature I can illustrate my point....Aol allows for 1000 pieces of mail in new mail each with a limit of 16mb. Earthlink gives me 10mb and my domain 3mb for the entire account. It just seems totally ridiculous to me that I should forfeit a mailbox like that to prove to people like yourself that I can configure an internet connection and e-mail account. Its all fine and good to say that you have knowledge to set up an account that doesn't have ease of use built in but when that account offers less what is the advantage of it?