Google, Sun, others band to fight spyware, adware

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Spyware and Adware

Even though they proved to be a substantial pain in the tush, I actually admired pop-up ads from a variety of perspectives.
1) They required some level of ingenuity to create. They slid through most spam blocks (at the time)
2) They openly approached you about the subject or product they were promoting, and
3) Even though they required a couple of mouse-clicks, they went away.

However, the same can not be said about spyware/adware.
In sharp contrast:
1) THEY UTULIZE SOFTWARE ROUTINES THAT AS OFTEN AS NOT PROVES TO BE HARMFUL TO THE SYSTEMS THEY INFECT.
2) THEY CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE MOST COVERT FASHION POSSIBLE AND SEEK TO NOT ONLY GATHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION FOR USE DIRECTLY BY THE "SpY", MANY COMPILE THE DATA GATHERED, ASSIMILATE IT AND THEN FURTHER PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF THE INFORMATION TO EVEN LESS SCUPULOUS FOURTH PARTIES.
3) FINALLY, THEY DON'T GO AWAY EASILY WITH THE CLICK OF A MOUSE. THEY USUALLY ARE PERMANENTLY INSTALLED ON YOUR HARDDRIVE (ALONG WITH A RESIDENT BUG, VIRUS OR TROJAN). THE ELIMINATION OF THEM USUALLY REQUIRES AN OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE, OR A "SHAREWARE" DOWNLOAD THAT, WHILE USUSALLY WELL INTENDED, MAY ALSO CONTAIN A PIECE OF CODE THAT IS SOMEHOW UNWITTINGLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM OR ANOTHER PIECE OF VALUABLE SOFTWARE ON WHICH YOU RELY.

While I am consistently an advocate for smaller government and letting the forces of the free market rule, I believe that those responsible for software that invades the privacy of others or in anyway interferes with one's ability to earn a living or be more productive is, by definition criminal.

I know I'm standing on a three story soap-box, but the rules we will eventually be required to enact to keep SPAM, spyware, malicious worm distribution should be substantial. I don't promote filling more jail cells. Let's just make these software guru-wannabees apply their skills toward the production of software that either defeats the type malicious software they previously created or simply have them work on projects that would have otherwise required sizable tax-payer contributions.
END OF SERMON!

Posted by: daveniche   Posted on: 01/31/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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