How spyware works--and burns

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That's the problem.

You say, You go to site that popup a message asking for permision to install. You click on no and it installs anyways... I have a business do I have the right to hack any computer coming to my website?

I'm not exactly sure how you define "hacking", but as I understand the term, that's not what they're doing. First of all, regarding your example, I agree-- that is stupid, unethical, underhanded and deserving of a snow shovel to the face. But I have never seen such an ad that was able to actually perform an installation of any kind on your computer. I suppose it might theoretically be capable of doing that if you ripped all security from your browser. But all you're clicking on is a picture that is linked. It has only the permissions that a link has, and software installation is not typically one of those capabilities.

Keep in mind also that the user is the one who chooses to initiate a process that leads to visiting a certain website. When you type in www.example.com, you may not be aware of everything that's going to happen, but you are directing your computer to go there. Unfortunately, this leaves the operator of the website an out. They can simply say, "this computer user chose to come to my website. If they did not want to accept the results of that, or did not know the results of that, they shouldn't have come." By going there, you are directing your computer to interact with that part of the internet. This is the same for redirects, etc. By visiting a redirecting website, you are accepting the redirect.

The fact that the Internet is a public thing now does not make it any less dangerous or user-protective. "There oughta be a law..." will not protect you.

Posted by: Martin Marvinski   Posted on: 08/19/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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