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Microsoft estimates spyware is responsible for half of all PC crashes | |
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| Time: 10:03 EST/15:03 GMT | News Source: E-Mail | Posted By: Brian Kvalheim | ||
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It's the newest computer security problem to attract the attention of Congress: spyware, or software designed to collect computer users' personal data without their knowledge. Secretly piggybacking on downloaded Internet software, spyware transmits information about computer usage and generates pop-up advertisements and other annoyances. It often is difficult to uninstall. | ||
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| #1 By 7797 (63.76.44.81) at 4/30/2004 2:12:45 PM |
| sure. why not blame someone else! |
| #2 By 2960 (68.100.3.100) at 4/30/2004 2:33:06 PM |
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""I do not believe legislation is the answer at this time," said commission member Mozelle Thompson. "Instead, we should give industry the time to respond. Self-regulation combined with enforcement of existing laws might be the best way to go.""
Clueless people like this is why we can't get anything done. Spyware removal now takes up at least 30% of my support time, and it's growing weekly. TL |
| #3 By 7754 (216.160.8.41) at 4/30/2004 2:43:56 PM |
| TL, can you lock down your workstations (disable install on demand, etc.)? |
| #4 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 4/30/2004 3:32:27 PM |
| tgnb - You like spyware? |
| #5 By 860 (204.232.11.1) at 4/30/2004 3:54:28 PM |
|
I think tgnb's point is that it's really Microsoft's fault... and I agree.
Microsoft has designed technology that has allowed it to be abused. One common Microsoft mistake is to design a feature-rich program, but they fail to realize that there are plenty of people out there who will misuse those features. Spyware is one such example... ActiveX and Internet Explorer's integration with the OS was a nice feature, but now it's being abused. Ultimately, that is Microsoft's fault... (and of course the undereducated users that use Microsoft products to destroy their computers!) This post was edited by Vermyndax on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 15:55. |
| #6 By 2201 (213.122.182.220) at 4/30/2004 4:13:57 PM |
| #5 this is of course rubbish. Every thing in the world can be misused, does that mean it's always the manufacturer's fault? Is it the fault of Stanley that they make knives that people can use to slash people in the faces? Is it the fault of glassmakers that people will use it to bash someone on the head in a pub? Of course not, in exactly the same way it's not MIcrosoft's fault that there are idiots who will develop things to play havoc with other people's machines. It is the fault of THESE people who are the ones who are developing so-called spyware, not anyone elses! Microsoft are doing well to try and lock down their applications and OS and they could do more, but ultimately it's the fault of the people who look for ways to circumvent it. The only other alternative is a completely dumbed-down OS or application that can't do anything. Of course this is a stupid way to go. |
| #7 By 1642 (66.208.6.173) at 4/30/2004 4:40:14 PM |
| Part of the problem is in identifying spyware. My anti-spyware program tells me that SmartTags in MS Office and SideStep Toolbar are spyware, but I utilize both of them, and don't want to see them removed from my system. I agree that I don't want spyware, but I don't know if I trust others saying what is or isn't spyware. |
| #8 By 135 (208.186.90.168) at 4/30/2004 7:27:49 PM |
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Vermyndax - If that's tgnb's point, it should be placed in the tgnb hall of shame.
I once had a piece of spyware installed on my computer, and it caused me great frustration. The installation caused some component to be added to Internet Explorer which intercepted all of my requests and forwarded them to a server. The thing was, the software didn't work very well, and it resulted in every Internet Explorer request pausing for about 6 seconds. This spyware didn't come from ActiveX. It didn't even come from be browsing the internet and downloading some random piece of software. It came from me buying a game at Best Buy and installing it. It was even a mainstream, quite popular game called Dungeon Keep or something like that. It took me about a month of this pain to realize what was going on, and I downloaded Adaware to find it and remove it. But the way I figure it, is if *I* can suffer from this type of BS pain, then imagine what someone who doesn't know a lot about computers is putting up with. That install wasn't the fault of Microsoft... It was the fault of the game maker. |
| #9 By 7797 (64.244.109.161) at 4/30/2004 8:34:07 PM |
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"I think tgnb's point is that it's really Microsoft's fault... and I agree."
Why would it be Microsofts fault that their product isn't engineered well enough to prevent silly little programs from crashing the entire system? |
| #10 By 19992 (69.170.7.187) at 4/30/2004 9:12:15 PM |
| Sodablue - You're either looking at Dungeon Keeper 2 from 1996 or Dungeon Siege from 2001. Keeper 2 is by Bungie Software and Dungeon Siege is by Microsoft. If the problematic game you had was Dungeon Siege that would have definately been an MS issue all the way around :) |
| #11 By 931 (65.81.131.161) at 4/30/2004 9:26:32 PM |
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this is a crock.
Some? for sure! Alot? probably Half? probably not. If someone where to say bad drivers and spyware combines was 50% of crash.. ok now that I would believe. |
| #12 By 19992 (69.170.7.187) at 5/1/2004 8:58:40 PM |
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#14 Would these morons also seem to confuse their adverbs with their adjectives? Or how about failing to run spellcheck when they call others morons?
I'm not sure why it would be vitally important for a person or persons to understand how energy or communications or food are delivered to their homes. Not everyone has the time to fully understand everything there is to know and still live a happy life. Other things must come first. |
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