quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
It simply needs to report a user's actions/movements/preferences.
Then everything on the net is spyware: Servers log your IP all the time! Also, more then half of the websites on the net log your IP address and things you do on the site, they even record what type of browser and OS your are using!
quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
Spyware is often successfully installed because the purveyors rely on human kind's natural tendency to trust those that appear to be reputable;
This goes for A LOT of things, including harmless software which hasn't anything todo with spyware or even adware. So... That's not a defination of what spyware is!
quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
Spyware purveyors also depend on habit, carelessness and social engineering, or innocuous non-descriptive phrases like 'sponsor program' that give no clue about what is actually going to happen.
Again, not a definition.... Besides, no clue? "sponsor agreement", I dunno what more clue you want and also for the details: that's why the EULA is there!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
To illustrate alternative points of view...
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=spyware
The link makes no reference to "without your knowledge"
Read the bold part
quote:
Definition: any software that covertly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet and transmits the information to an individual or company that uses it for marketing or other purposes; also called adware
covertly: meaning
without the user knowing! And since it is clearly stated in the EULA what the sponsor will do, this only proofs again that the sponsor isn't spyware by this definition....
also called as: meaning, people call it that way. It does not mean "is the same as"... eg: you call the adware sponsor, "spyware"... thus this definitions states that quite correctly "also called as"
quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx
For this link, the key point is 'APPROPRIATELY obtaining your consent'.
That is not what it is told there. Read it again...
quote:
Spyware is often associated (again, this doesn't mean "it is") with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. That does not mean all software which provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads. If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair tradeoff (and if you didn't, then you select "I don't agree" and nothing will happen). You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.
The next part clearly talks about the difference between spyware and other things:
quote:
The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.
and that is indeed is the difference between adware and spyware.
Spyware will NOT ask you to agree upon something!!! Once again, it only proofs the opposite of what you are telling...
Also, all adware wants is to show you it's here (with a search bar or popup advertisement), hence ADware.
Another GOLDEN quote from the same site:
quote:
Step 4: Surf and download more safely
Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don't want:
• Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any software you download.
quote:
Originally posted by Sam Spade
yet nothing is done to improve the situation.
Clearly shows that you don't know exactly what your talking about. Do I need to post all the screenshots since the sponsor was added to show you how many things have been improved?
quote:
Originally posted by smurlos
How can I remove the searchbar and the crap it's installed with it?
By simply uninstall Plus! and following the instructions (closing every browser window, entering the validation number in the checkdialog, rebooting, ....). This method works!
However, when you tried to delete it yourself (with programs like ad-aware) that will only screw up the uninstall process. And in that case you can indeed be left with things.
To fix this, you need to reinstall Plus! again WITH the sponsor (so the uninstall routines are fixed again) and right after (without doing anything with ad-aware or anything) uninstall Plus! again...
After all this is done, you can install Plus! again, but don't forget to tick "don't install sponsor" then...
detailed official instructions can be found here:
http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=21598
unofficial instructions can be found here:
http://aux.udcx.com/?action=sponsor
quote:
Originally posted by smurlos
Argh why do people have to even have this crap?
To make a living.
/ 
