Re: Hot Bar

From: Susan Bradley, CPA aka Ebitz SBS Rocks [MVP] (sbradcpa_at_pacbell.net)
Date: 05/25/03 

Date: Sat, 24 May 2003 23:01:19 -0700
To: dogma@bcsupernet.com

Hotbar is NOT a Microsoft software. It is a "toolbar" that has spyware
features.

I don't allow it on my systems at the office.

Ev Gilmar wrote:

> My comp tech insists that Hot Bar is legit (under
> microsoft license) - then I ran across this. Does anyone
> know the real truth? I can't find it mentioned on the
> Mircosoft site anywhere. Please reply direct by email as I
> do not frequent this site I am just looking for help.
> Tx Ev
>
> BEWARE of HOTBAR:
> Do not download HOTBAR as it is purported to be Spyware
>
> Download Spybot Search and Destroy
> to easily remove Hotbar. Get it here
>
>
> It may be disabling your ability to send pictures or
> stationery with your email!
> See what ZDNET Readers have Shared
> See what our Readers have shared directly with us
> How to Remove Hotbar
> 87% of People Who Download HotBar Wish They Hadn't. Don't
> Be The Next Victim!
> The easiest way to get rid of Hotbar and other parasites
> is Spybot: Search & Destroy
> The following is from resources on the web (see links
> listed at the bottom):
> "Many people have been tricked into downloading a known
> spyware program called HOTBAR. Hotbar disguises itself as
> a cool tool for customizing your net browser or to "Add
> COLOR to your emails" with unique backgrounds or "skins"
> and even makes itself look like a Microsoft product by
> using the Microsoft(r) trademark. Hotbar is not a
> Microsoft product! *
>
> SpyWare, most often installed on your PC without your
> knowledge, sends information about your web browsing and
> email habits to advertisement companies, which, in turn,
> send you more pop-up ads, junk email, and potentially even
> pornographic emails or virus programs. In the case of
> Hotbar, which is user installed, installing it means you
> are allowing your email address and web browsing habits to
> be bought and sold on the internet." *
> Hotbar not only tracks your online surfing, but may be
> disabling your ability to send pictures or email
> stationery. It is not an upgrade to Microsoft and it is
> not supported by Microsoft, even though it purports itself
> to be an "Upgrade to Outlook." It is far from an upgrade;
> it is not even recognized or endorsed by Microsoft.
>
> If you want to restore your ability to send and receive
> email stationery and pictures, you will have to remove
> this program. We have help for this on our FAQ page,
> Question #20 at http://thundercloud.net/faq
> The bottom line?
> This is not an official upgrade (or ANY upgrade) from
> Microsoft Outlook.
>
> Hotbar is considered Adware / Trackware. It is a program
> that adds graphical skins to Internet Explorer toolbars.
> It monitors all websites you visit to add link buttons to
> its toolbar dependant on the websites you visit. (more?
> click here)
>
> Is Hotbar violating your privacy? Yes, it tracks websites
> visited and forms filled in, even when the toolbar is
> disabled.(more? click here)
>
> Is Hotbar a security violation? Yes. Hotbar has a silent
> update feature, which means, that without your knowledge
> or approval, this software will go to its home website and
> download newer versions automatically. (more? click here)
>
> Does Hotbar cause problems with the computer system? Yes,
> it can slow down you computer cause lockups when you are
> using your web browser or email. (more? click here)
>
>
>
> Information above is a summary of information available
> from the various site listed below.
>
> Typical User Comment from ZDNET feedback:
> shogun323 06-Feb-2003
>
> "I view hotbar as a virus!!!"
> Hotbar broadcasts itself looking to be an update for
> Outlook. It then appends to every email you send duping
> all of your friends to install this "enhancement". The
> manufacturers of hotbar didn't work very hard when it came
> to the uninstallation portion of their software. It leaves
> settings messed up in Outlook that render the program
> useless until you can figure out how fix it. If your
> looking for help from Hotbar's tech support, Good Luck!!
> They never have responded to my email to them and their is
> no phone number listed to reach the by. DON'T DOWNLOAD
> THIS SOFTWARE!!!!!
>
>
> When you install Hotbar, you are agreeing to their privacy
> policy, which states:
>
> TERMS OF USE AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR HOTBAR
> SOFTWARE AND WEB SITE: HOTBAR COLLECTS AND STORES
> INFORMATION ABOUT THE WEB PAGES YOU VIEW AND THE DATA YOU
> ENTER IN SEARCH ENGINE SEARCH FIELDS WHILE USING THE
> SOFTWARE. HOTBAR USES THIS INFORMATION TO DETERMINE WHICH
> ADS AND BUTTONS TO DISPLAY ON YOUR HOTBAR TOOLBARS AND
> WHICH ADS TO SHOW YOUR BROWSER."
> Furthermore, they include this under "Disclaimer of
> Warranties " they state (a) ... Licensee may be exposed
> to contaminated files, computer viruses, eavesdropping,
> harassment, electronic trespassing, hacking and other
> harmful acts or consequences that might lead to
> unauthorized invasion of privacy, loss of data and other
> damages.
> and
> "Licensee shall receive, and desires to so receive,
> various product/service promotions, marketing ads, and
> campaigns of third parties through the appearance of
> links, menus, pop-ups, and other methods on and/or in
> connection with the Service and the Software." Our advice?
> Always read privacy policies so you know what you are
> really agreeing to when using various software programs on
> the internet.
>
> User Opinions and Experiences from ZDNET
> http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3302-2366-10156187.html
>
> RESOURCES:
> View More HotBar Related Information
>
>
> http://smccd.net/portal/announcements/details.asp?ID=435
>
> http://www.simplythebest.net/info/spyware.html
> http://www.safersite.com/PestInfo/h/hotbar_adware.asp
> http://www.readytorun.com.au/start/newstips/spyware.htm
> http://www.ecu.edu/itcs/cas/newsletter/st2002-NOV.htm
> http://www.state.me.us/newsletter/jan2003/whos_spying_on_yo
> u.htm
> http://www.xs4all.nl/~myranya/skins.html
> http://allentech.net/parasite/HotBar.html
> http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_news/2002/dec19/br7.html
>
> This list goes on an on. A search on a major search engine
> for the words Hotbar and Spyware, will turn up dozens of
> related resources.
>
> If you would like to put this page on your Web site or
> send this page to a friend via email, please feel free to
> do so. To send this page by email (Internet Explorer users
> only) click File, Send Page by Email.
>
>
> This page is presented by Cloudeight as public service.
> Please read our Disclaimer
>
> Back to Top Of Page
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> ---------------------
>
>
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.483 / Virus Database: 279 - Release Date:
> 5/19/03

Quantcast