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When Spyware (authors) Strike Back
Posted February 23, 2005 – 3:23 pm by Yakov Shafranovich in TechnologySlashdot is running an interesting story about a piece of spyware called “iSearch” which blocks all attempts to uninstall it, and even its own uninstall program still leaves it installed. Now it seems that the company behind this obnoxious piece of spyware called “iDownload” is sending cease and desist letter to sites refering to their product as “spyware” (see here and here).
The cease and desist letter claims that:
spyware is a phrase within the public conscience that has a specific meaning. A classification of Spyware is usually reserved for those programs that not only have the ability to scan an end-user’s computer, but also seek to remain unnoticed or hidden, and also seek to gather personal information such as passwords, account numbers, etc. of the end-user. iSearch does not fit this profile.
iSearch does not qualify as Spyware. iSearch is a toolbar that in no way attempts to remain hidden or evade detection. Continuing, unlike Spyware, iSearch does not gather any personally identifiable information about end users, does not collect data about the user’s web usage, does not collect any information entered into web forms, does not share information with third parties, does not send or cause to be sent unsolicted e-mail, and does not install items such as dialers on the end user’s computer.
Like spam, spyware may have many definitions. However, in parallel with a common definition of spam as “email that you don’t want”, spyware is “software you don’t want”, and of course iSearch fits right in. Things like inability to uninstall it, straight lies when using their own uninstall program which in fact does nothing, and even sending data without the permission of the user are all part and parcel of this. Additionally, stopping users from accessing their browser and changing the homepage is also spyware since users lose control of their computers.
(cease and desists letter can be sent to legal /at/ shaftek [dot] org)
Tags: security —
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2 Responses to “When Spyware (authors) Strike Back”
P.S. Its programs like these that give another good reason to switch for Firefox and Linux.
… and Opera.
By Daniel on Feb 23, 2005