Shoutbox

Dear Patchou,

I just accidentally accepted the installation of messenger plus's sponsor program (it is cleverly disguised as a licence agreement - safe in the knowledge that nobody reads them). So, knowing a little of Hijacks and spyware I had a look at the software installed.

The sponsor program changes the user's internet explorer start page to 'mysearchnow.com' a search engine (complete with annoying popups) which goes through a list of sponsored links to things like 'viagra', 'diet pills' and 'loans', and as such it is almost completely useless.

This would be ok, if the user could simply change the start page back to google (or whatever it was before) but unfortunately the software goes to some trouble to stop the user from changing their homepage to anything other than 'mysearchnow'.

Firstly, it installs routines which reset IE's homepage back to 'mysearchnow' whenever IE starts. Then, if these are removed, it has a routine that will reinstall them when windows starts.
It also places numerous entries into the registry which will also reset IE's homepage.
Not to mention all the annoying favourites and rubbish like that it installs.

This is very disappointing, hijacks like this are a very real problem on the internet today, and you can say "it's my sponsors fault" all you like, but by distributing this rubbish with your software you are advocating its use.

For a popular program like messenger plus, you should have no problem finding a sponsor without such underhand methods. By dealing with your current sponsor you are doing a disservice to your large and loyal fanbase - many of whom are children and will struggle to work out where the hijack came from, let alone how to remove it.

I have a great deal of respect for you as an independent software publisher like myself and messenger plus is an excellent piece of software, but this sort of practice is simply unethical and takes advantage of less experienced computer users - the very people software publishers like you and I are trying to help.

I recognise that this is your choice to make, but I beg you - find a new sponsor and clear your conscience. (don't become a 'kazaa'-like hate figure)

Yours Sincerely,

Dogger.