Spyware/adware
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Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: General discussion and chat on any topic.
URL: https://forums.webwiz.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=10922
Printed Date: 31 March 2026 at 9:28pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.08 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Spyware/adware
Posted By: Gullanian
Subject: Spyware/adware
Date Posted: 18 June 2004 at 5:32pm
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I consider myself quite a safe Internet user, and aware about spyware and adware problems and how to spot them etc. It really baffles me how the scum of the Universe (AKA 'Save Now') found it's way onto my PC! Adware and spyware wee me off so much! |
Replies:
Posted By: Phat
Date Posted: 18 June 2004 at 9:28pm
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A friend had installed Messanger Plus and said no to the adware when he
first installed. After about 3 weeks the software said there was an
upgrade and did he want to downlaod it. He said yes to the upgrade
which also added adware/spyware at the same time. That's one to watch out for. |
Posted By: huwnet
Date Posted: 19 June 2004 at 3:41am
Messenger Plus has spyware unless you run the advanced setup and turned the "sponsor" (spyware  ) off.
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Posted By: Bluefrog
Date Posted: 19 June 2004 at 12:49pm
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You really shouldnt' complain much about this stuff. It costs a lot of money for people to develop software, and putting in something that tracks consumer habits or serves ads is a great way for these developers to put food on their tables. If people don't like it - they should cough up the few bucks it takes and buy software instead of complaining about it. But I do agree when junk is installed behind your back... that is simply not ethical. Developers / marketers should tell us up front what is being installed. Then we can choose to install it or not. A lot of great software is available to us thanks to sponsors. e.g. Opera, one of the best browsers out there, and getting better all the time. I'm not adverse to clicking on an occasional ad that interests me to help these people make a living. Seems like a more than fair deal to me.
------------- http://renegademinds.com/" rel="nofollow - Renegade Minds - Guitar Software http://renegademinds.com/Default.aspx?tabid=65" rel="nofollow - Slow Down Music |
Posted By: MadDog
Date Posted: 19 June 2004 at 1:53pm
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Totally agree with Bluefrog. its also a good idea to get Ad-aware 6 to scan for spyware. I bought the full version because it includes a program that runs in the background and tells you if something is trying to install spyware. ------------- http://www.iportalx.net" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: pmormr
Date Posted: 19 June 2004 at 6:25pm
i'm very pleased with Ad-aware... i bought the professional version of it... use it on all of my friends and family's computer when they complain about constant pop-ups... easy 20 bucks right there  ------------- Paul A Morgan http://www.pmorganphoto.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.pmorganphoto.com/ |
Posted By: huwnet
Date Posted: 20 June 2004 at 4:35am
When I first scanned my computer for adaware it found 76 programs! |
Gullanian wrote:Posted By: Gullanian
Date Posted: 20 June 2004 at 8:31am
| Yeah adaware is great, been using it for a while. |
Posted By: Bluefrog
Date Posted: 20 June 2004 at 11:52am
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But, do you really want to rob a few poor developers of their small source of income? I'm careful and only install things that I really need. But if I use them, and they serve ads or collect information, but are useful to me - then those guys deserve to get paid for it. We all need to eat. But I would NEVER install Gator... I think it depends. I'm more likely to feel for the little guy than a large corporation. I like people - not entities. A small company counts as people to me...
------------- http://renegademinds.com/" rel="nofollow - Renegade Minds - Guitar Software http://renegademinds.com/Default.aspx?tabid=65" rel="nofollow - Slow Down Music |
Posted By: Gullanian
Date Posted: 20 June 2004 at 1:32pm
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No, I do not support companies that install advertising, or spying software on my computer without me being properly informed. They are unethical, and I do not support unethical business. They clog up computers memory and processing time, they can spawn viruses and they are annoying! If I can get rid of them I will, but note the emphasis on the fact that it was on my computer without me being properly informed of its installation. |
Posted By: pmormr
Date Posted: 20 June 2004 at 1:36pm
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ditto ------------- Paul A Morgan http://www.pmorganphoto.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.pmorganphoto.com/ |
Posted By: zonelinks
Date Posted: 25 June 2004 at 7:05am
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I also consider myself quite a safe Internet user, and aware about spyware and adware problems and how to spot them etc.
------------- http://www.zonelinks.com/ - Enter Search Term |
Posted By: Scotty32
Date Posted: 29 June 2004 at 5:53am
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bullfrog wot do you think of Gator and "CoolWebSearch" i have CoolWebSearch on the computer i use at work and i believe the only way to get rid of it is to format the drive and throw it in the sea it changes IEs homepage to searchx.com or sumfin (ive started usin FireFox now) and theres no uninstall, ive used loads of programs (prob who your talkin about supportin) but they dont work, they get rid of it, but it finds its way back things like MessengerPlus & Ad-Aware your right about supporting, but things that get on your computer without you knowing (eg CoolWebSeach) has gotta be illegal ------------- S2H.co.uk - http://www.s2h.co.uk/wwf/" rel="nofollow - WebWiz Mods and Skins For support on my mods + skins, please use http://www.s2h.co.uk/forum/" rel="nofollow - my forum . |
Posted By: Bluefrog
Date Posted: 02 July 2004 at 8:31pm
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To uninstall crapware on your computer, you sometimes need to modify the registry. That can be a bit tricky, but it usually does the trick. Just delete the files then. You may need to reboot during the process because Windows won't allow you to delete files in use. Just scan through the registry for different strings like "coolweb" or "gator". Should do the trick. I don't mind when they tell me and offer me options, but when a program doesn't tell you - that's a problem. All the more reason to read the license agreement. Personally, I think Guitar and Drum Trainer has one of the best license agreements around
------------- http://renegademinds.com/" rel="nofollow - Renegade Minds - Guitar Software http://renegademinds.com/Default.aspx?tabid=65" rel="nofollow - Slow Down Music |
