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IDownload CEO Claims Success
Most sites have laid off 'Spyware' term?
As we were the first to report (picked up by Slashdot), the makers of the IDownload and ISearch ("Crapware"? "Adware"? "Irritation-ware"?) have been sending cease and desist letters to security sites that dub their software "Spyware", "Malware", or even "Foistware". Brian Livingston of the Windows Secrets Newsletter speaks to IDownload's CEO, who claims "The majority of sites we've contacted have taken down or properly classified iSearch." Our users have clearly documented that the software uses unethical installation techniques, and want it gone regardless of what it's called.
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SlickEnW
Premium Member
join:2003-01-21
Seattle, WA

1 edit

SlickEnW

Premium Member

You know what they say

You can't hide whats inside . Would they like it if we called their software 'unkowingly-installed-crap-using-misworded-terms-and-agreements-and-piggybacking-on to-someti mes-worth-while-software'-ware
i also like how their website says 'Free From spyware' instead of 'Free of spyware'

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: You know what they say

Well then lets just call it sh*tware. I don't care what name you give it.

Actually, I do. It is a program that installs without the users permission, does things NO user wants (I dare you to find me one who WANTS spyware/adware/crapware), is very difficult to remove, effects system performance, gathers information.....
Where along the lines did we decide to call it anything but a commercial Virus anyway?

chuch
join:2001-04-11
Tampa, FL

chuch to SlickEnW

Member

to SlickEnW
said by SlickEnW:

'Free From spyware' instead of 'Free of spyware'
Exactly! The software is free because it is funded by spywa...adwa...um...um...
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

I would like to see.....

.....all of these so called sites that have changed their terminology for iDownload.

And, how many have not changed?
hroo772
Darkness Fears Me
Premium Member
join:2002-04-05
Mclean, VA

hroo772

Premium Member

This is...

...Unheard of. I have had to clean off 3 computers that were infected with their crap. I hope these people get sued for that they are doing. I can't stand their product.

Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium Member
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30

Doctor Olds

Premium Member

Spyware IDownload and Spyware ISearch

The same CEO that couldn't/wouldn't name one single site. LOL What a Spyware King! His whole concept is Spyware.

Chiyo
Save Me Konata-Chan
Premium Member
join:2003-02-20
Salisbury, NC
·Hotwire Communic..

Chiyo

Premium Member

Re: Spyware IDownload and Spyware ISearch

\Go !@$% yourself Idownload. How can it be that just because someone critisies your work mean you can sue and take down a website and then gloat about it? Wow I didn't like some of the websites I went to I'm gonna call them crap on my personal website. Are they going to come take my site down because I voiced my opinion. THe internet is no longer of free speech and all that good jazz now it you have money and power you rule the internet god I hate our god damn goverment.

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad to Doctor Olds

Premium Member

to Doctor Olds
Well, he wouldn't want to "shoot a gift horse in the mouth," now would he? (I don't know why, but I just love that phrase. It's like the CEO was channeling the PHB when he said it.)

I'm sure that the real reason he wouldn't name any sites is because he lost the tiny sticky note containing the exhaustive list.

SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

1 edit

5 recommendations

SRFireside to Doctor Olds

Member

to Doctor Olds

We at iDownload are victorious over the Godless infidels. There are no websites that defile our good name.
Sounds familiar.
33591094 (banned)
join:2002-11-19
Canada

33591094 (banned)

Member

Re: Spyware IDownload and Spyware ISearch

Perfect time to wheel that picture out again!

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

Doctor Four

Premium Member

Re: Spyware IDownload and Spyware ISearch

So that's where Baghdad Bob is employed nowadays. Or did
tha riaa lend him to IDownload for their propaganda PR campaign?

banditws6
Shrinking Time and Distance
Premium Member
join:2001-08-18
Frisco, TX

banditws6

Premium Member

Stifling independent review sites?

So independent review sites cannot provide their own opinion of the product anymore? It sure seems like spyware to me, but if I call it that, they're going to threaten to sue me?

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

DaveDude

Member

Re: Stifling independent review sites?

said by banditws6:

So independent review sites cannot provide their own opinion of the product anymore? It sure seems like spyware to me, but if I call it that, they're going to threaten to sue me?
They need a politically correct term, Like ethically challeged software. lol

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA

dadkins

MVM

YO!

Hey, IDownload and ISearch! Your SPYWARE SUCKS! In all definitions, it *IS* MALWARE!

Wanna sue me now? Bring it!

Words to live by:

"Crap is crap. Even if you cover it with Chocolate Sprinkles... it's sill CRAP!"

Awaiting your Cease and Desist letter(so I can start the bar-b-que!)

EGeezer
Premium Member
join:2002-08-04
Midwest

1 edit

2 recommendations

EGeezer

Premium Member

Re: crap ?

Princeton weighs in on current issues ...

britt519
Premium Member
join:2005-02-24
Slidell, LA

britt519

Premium Member

Re: crap ?

LOL! That is great

not quite right
I'm not cool enough to be a Mac person
join:2001-06-23
Puyallup, WA

1 recommendation

not quite right to dadkins

Member

to dadkins

Re: YO!

said by dadkins:

Hey, IDownload and ISearch! Your SPYWARE SUCKS! In all definitions, it *IS* MALWARE!

Wanna sue me now? Bring it!

Words to live by:

"Crap is crap. Even if you cover it with Chocolate Sprinkles... it's sill CRAP!"

Awaiting your Cease and Desist letter(so I can start the bar-b-que!)
Damn it! You beat me to it!!!

hdman
Flt Rider
Premium Member
join:2003-11-25
Appleton, WI

1 recommendation

hdman

Premium Member

You know that little white spec on top of......

This garbage is MALWARE....PERIOD. That little white spec on top of chicken shidt is still chicken shidt.....

Amazing how this company feels they can intimidate any website that offers a review of their product as BAD. I hope the CastleCops stick to their guns with regards to their review and assessment of this garbage.

To the iDownload CEO: You product is not only Malware, it is JUNK. I hope your vendors run as far as they can from you in the coming days....
friscotx64
join:2005-01-24
Frisco, TX

friscotx64

Member

What's in a name?

"A rose by any other name ... "

"Democratic Republic of Vietnam"
"People's Republic of China"
"Democratic People's Republic of Korea"
"German Democratic Republic"
"Lao People's Democratic Republic"
etc.

Right.

Calling yourself by a high-sounding name doesn't make it true.

Denying a name - which others have called you - doesn't make it false.

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad

Premium Member

Scare Tactics

Why do I think that this whole C&D scheme was a scare tactic with no real plans for lawsuits. They send out a bunch of C&D notices, claim success with an unspecified number of unnamed sites, and use that "success" to pressure other sites to cave. Not the brightest of plans, but then again this is coming from someone who used the phrase "shoot a gift horse in the mouth." (Why does that remind me of something the PHB would say on Dilbert?) The CEO again threatened lawsuits, but I somehow get the feeling that this is a toothless threat from a slimy company. (Oh, no. I called them "slimy." I am therefore disparaging the iDownload brand and might be sued by them!!! )

sivran
Vive Vivaldi
Premium Member
join:2003-09-15
Irving, TX

sivran

Premium Member

Re: Scare Tactics

quote:
(Why does that remind me of something the PHB would say on Dilbert?)
Because you've seen the Dilbert cartoon, and can actually -hear- the voice actor saying it? (I can, that's for sure!)

Or perhaps because this guy IS a PHB...

Vamp
5c077
Premium Member
join:2003-01-28
MD

Vamp

Premium Member

They should call it whatever they want...

I think sites should be able to call it whatever they want, you shouldnt be able to "cease a desist" other peoples opinion on something.

If I wanted to setup an anti-microsoft site saying windows is spyware I Should have the right to do so.

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

1 edit

DaveDude

Member

Re: They should call it whatever they want...

said by Vamp:

I think sites should be able to call it whatever they want, you shouldnt be able to "cease a desist" other peoples opinion on something.

If I wanted to setup an anti-microsoft site saying windows is spyware I Should have the right to do so.
Well thats Consitutional, which liberal judges usually rule against.

StraitShoot
Who Loves Ya Baby? - Theo Kojak
Premium Member
join:2003-02-08
Clinton, MA

StraitShoot

Premium Member

Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on IDownload...


After all they have THESE products here, they can't be ALL bad... LOL...
»www.idownload.com/suppor ··· &catId=1
Just kidding, these folks are EVIL!

IDownload, you can plead your case all you want, the masses will drag you down! Spyware jerks!

burgerwars
join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA

burgerwars

Member

Re: Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on IDownload...

Also see: »abcnews.go.com/Technolog ··· 2&page=1

I can't say more because iDownload will probably sue me too.

rwbullet
join:2002-01-31
Keller, TX

rwbullet

Member

crap is crap

If I have to boot into safe mode to remove software because it keeps re-installing itself after being uninstalled, like the iSearch toolbar, then that piece of crap is nothing but malicious software. GG! idownload, try again.
dick white
Premium Member
join:2000-03-24
Springfield, VA

dick white

Premium Member

Where can I send a donation...

for the DSLR legal defense fund. It looks like being the last repose of truth is going to require a lawyer to fend off their petty harassment.

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

jsouth

Member

Re: Where can I send a donation...

Nahh. Just counter sue for trying to stifle free speech.
wiggum
join:2003-05-05
Seattle, WA

wiggum

Member

IDownload CEO Claims Success

If they were really so innocent, couldn't they convince the website operators without C&D letters?

i.e. explain why their software isn't spyware.

I haven't had any experience with their software, but it always pisses me off when a company sends a C&D letter instead of just asking nicely.

wiggum
lesopp
join:2001-06-27
Land O Lakes, FL

lesopp

Member

Turn about is fair play.

Maybe we should all send them cease and desist letters advising them to stop trying to install any code, or script, or program, or tracking cookies, or components thereof, on our PCs.

Further it could serve as an express written notification that we categorically reject in perpetuity any and all of their products.

Unregistered user

Anon

Re: Turn about is fair play.

That occurred to me, too. Tell them that if they use browser vulnerabilities to install their junk, you'll sue them for the cost of removing it, billable at an hourly rate of $75.

Really, maybe that's the way to get back at these slimeballs. Go after them for unauthorized access to a computer system. Force them to defend their slimy business practices in front of a court.

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

Doctor Four

Premium Member

Re: Turn about is fair play.

said by Unregistered user:

Really, maybe that's the way to get back at these slimeballs. Go after them for unauthorized access to a computer system. Force them to defend their slimy business practices in front of a court.
That could even be grounds for Federal prosecution under
the USA Patriot Act. I'm sure that not only home users
are affected by their product, but also businesses and
government owned computers. I hope their CEO likes his
new accommodations if the Feds go after IDownload: Gitmo.

Rhobite
Premium Member
join:2002-02-24
Waltham, MA

Rhobite

Premium Member

Call it whatever you want

You can call it "puppies-and-rainbows-ware", it doesn't change the fact that they trick their users into installing it. I don't care if your software cures cancer and balances my checkbook - don't use deception to get it onto PCs.

Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

3 edits

Transmaster

Member

I tried

to find a photo of iDownload's CEO, Arlo Gilbert but there is nothing which is a terrible disappointment because I wanted to make a stick on with it so I could glue a copy in a urinal.
Hello Arlo I am pissing on you.....

••••

OceanaJones
join:2004-10-18
Suffolk, VA

OceanaJones

Member

Boycott

Maybe the best defense is to boycott the companies that use
IDownload and ISearch. Hit them right square in their pocketbooks. If an unwanted pop up sends you to a site of "their" choice, take the time to notify them of your intention to support a web wide boycott of the arrogant way they get customers. You know their attorney(s) are laughing all the way to the bank. If they really have attorneys.

Grail Knight

Premium Member
join:2003-05-31
Valhalla

Grail Knight

Premium Member

Re: Boycott

Boycotts sound good.
Will have to wait to see how Ad-Aware fairs in the retail sector to see if the past few days will even faze them.

christos
join:2002-01-09
Bridgewater, MA

1 edit

christos to OceanaJones

Member

to OceanaJones

Small claims court suits?

Maybe its time for me to start sending a bill to all the crapware companies for the time it takes to clean a machine. Wait 30 days and if they don't pay (which I am sure they won't) file the bill with the local small claims court. I am sure they will not show up at the hearing, which means the judgement will go my way. A few thousand of these small claims against the principals of crapware companies might get their attention.

Time for me to read up on small claims.

catseyenu
Ack Pfft
Premium Member
join:2001-11-17
Fix East

catseyenu

Premium Member

Take The Money & Run?

Try this one on for size...
Pump up the name and numbers with some cheap publicity, sell out... take the money and run.
The clown's probably read the writing on the wall and is looking to sucker some other sleaze ball into buying him out before legislation is passed that outlaws this crap.
GamerSupreme
join:2004-08-31

GamerSupreme

Member

Couldn't think of a title...

Why do people say that the anti-spyware companies got Cease and Desist letters because of voicing their opinion on their website?

In actual fact they categorized it as Spyware/Malware/Foist ware in their search definitions.

Also here everyone is going on about iDownloads bluff of taking it to court but if its that obvious then why don't the anti-spyware companies see that?

And finally in my opinion, if it uses shady installation techniques then 99% of the time it has something sinister to hide so if they are in the 1% they should state why they exploit flaws otherwise their software is unwanted and should be removed if installed.
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