Re: Security
From: Shenan Stanley (news_helper_at_hushmail.com)
Date: 07/02/04
- Next message: Sue: "Re: somebody please help me"
- Previous message: LuckyStrike: "Re: Hijack This version 1.98.0 now available"
- In reply to: weatherbugjay: "Re: Security"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] [ attachment ]
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 00:17:58 -0500
weatherbugjay wrote:
> Mike mistakenly refers to our product as spyware. it is not. in
> fact, the very same programs he RECOMMENDS running to detect and erase
> spyware.....(drumroll please).....are offered as free downloads right
> from WeatherBug's pages. gosh, either we're masochists who want you
> to run programs that will find us- or NO MAJOR spyware detector lists
> WeatherBug because we are not.
> In fact, we are passionately committed to fighting the spread of these
> technologies because they damage the environment in which we do
> business.
>
> Our formal spyware policy can be found at:
> http://www.weatherbug.com/aws/support/faq_spyware.htm
>
> where you can also find free downloads to what we believe are some of
> the most effective anti-spyware detection programs, as part of our
> commitment to end spyware.
>
> For the record, spyware tracks websurfing activity and sometimes reads
> what is on the user’s hard drive. WeatherBug is not capable of
> tracking your overall web use or deciphering anything on your hard
> drive, nor can it determine what you were doing before you opened your
> WeatherBug program or after you closed it.
> WeatherBug owns and operates the world’s largest weather network and
> we are zealously committed to being the best, most reliable source of
> live, local weather information for millions of consumers, thousands
> of schools, dozens of major businesses, and over 100 television
> stations.
>
>
> Go ahead, run spybot, run adaware, pest patrol, spykiller, spyhunter,
> webwasher, spysweeper, etc. etc. etc.
>
> Please make sure accurate information is posted here- if you choose
> not to use WeatherBug that is 100% your right. but please don't call
> us something we're not. We are fighting along with many of you to get
> tougher anti-spyware laws enacted and to make sure that other freeware
> companies are playing by the same rules we do.
>
> Thanks and feel free to write me directly at jay@weatherbug.com
>
> Thanks
> Jay Hoffman
> manager, customer support team
> WeatherBug
I'm not so sure I saw Mike refer to Weatherbug as spyware. I implied that
it may contain spyware, but I assure you - a definitive definition of
"spyware" should not be used.. Perhaps I should have said "Adware" or used a
more general term instead of spyware - the problem is the line between
spyware and adware is so grayed in so many peoples' eyes, there is no
difference. If it annoys them, it needs to go away. If it slows down their
system in the slightest, has the possibility of putting something on their
screen they definitively did not ask directly for and/or just takes up space
they think would be better utilized, it may have been put into the
"spyware/adware/hijacker/scumware/malware" and various other terms category.
I do know I have had to uninstall it on hundreds of PCs because of
"interference" it causes with various Java-Based web pages and online
database systems.
I also know it is supported by advertising (Adware) that many people would
prefer not to have on their machines.
I also respect the fact that you support it so vehemently.
A similar letter (essentially) to the one you posted above can be found
here:
WeatherBug Removal
http://www.pchell.com/support/weatherbug.shtml
Another Weatherbug Removal site...
http://www.securemost.com/articles/trou_3_weatherbug.htm
Another letter from Jay about Weatherbug, this one a little more "techy".
http://www.itsthecatsass.com/newboard/messages/117216.htm
Another here:
http://www.betanews.com/article/1088142645
And it seems, if you review the various articles on the internet about older
versions of Weatherbug, it did, indeed - contain GATOR at one point.
Can/will you confirm this? If this is so, then I can see HOW WeatherBug may
have gotten on the lists of "Spyware carriers", and then cleaned up.
Weather Bug: More then just Spyware, it's a pain in the ...
http://www.axe-s.com/weatherbug/
Please notice that the above article points out just what I did before the
link.. "This is the OLDER version.."
Having said that - I have nothing REALLY against Weatherbug.. I do prevent
my corporate users from running on their work PCs for several reasons.. And
its main website seems to be on several "blocked sites" lists from some of
the better known Spyware/Adware (Adware) immunization apps. IE-SpyAd
definitely adds it to the blocked/restricted sites list of IE.
In conclusion, I would not call WeatherBug "spyware", but I think it is fair
to call it "an application that uses/contains adware". I mean, the
WeatherBug FAQ state:
"Is WeatherBug really free?
Yes. WeatherBug *** is supported by the advertisers that appear on your
WeatherBug ***. We also have a WeatherBug Plus version for a small annual
subscription fee that is advertising-free and has extra features such as
historical data, PlusCams, MyLocations, airport delays and more."
Is that a "bad thing"? Nah - from a business standpoint, it may be the only
route available and likely the most feasible if it is not a lone route.
Many applications that are very nice use this method to support their
maintenance/development.
Never let one person influence you completely. Feel free to try and read up
about it, for example, here:
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3302-2054-7898510.html?tag=mta
-- <- Shenan -> -- The information is provided "as is", with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any kind, express or implied. In other words, read up before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions.
- Next message: Sue: "Re: somebody please help me"
- Previous message: LuckyStrike: "Re: Hijack This version 1.98.0 now available"
- In reply to: weatherbugjay: "Re: Security"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] [ attachment ]
Relevant Pages
|
