You have to be kidding me. Punkbuster is cheat-prevention software, and can be easily uninstalled.
This, my friends, is spyware. It may have good intentions, but it is still spyware.
The EULDA:
Licensee acknowledges that PunkBuster software is optional and is not a requirement in any respect for using or enjoying games that integrate PunkBuster software technology. Licensee also acknowledges and agrees that PunkBuster software is self-updating, which means that future updates will, from time to time and without any notice, automatically be downloaded and installed as a normal and expected function of PunkBuster software. Licensee further acknowledges and accepts that PunkBuster software may be considered invasive. Licensee understands that PunkBuster software inspects and reports information about the computer on which it is installed to other connected computers and Licensee agrees to allow PunkBuster software to inspect and report such information about the computer on which Licensee installs PunkBuster software. Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee's computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication. Licensee understands that the purpose and goal of PunkBuster is to ensure a cheat-free environment for all participants in online games. Licensee agrees that the invasive nature of PunkBuster software is necessary to meet this purpose and goal.
Collecting information about your computer and files, downloading files, and taking screenshots and sending them to a server without your knowledge? Sounds like spyware to me.
Alot of SpyWare is distributed as Craptive(Active) X Componets which doesn't work on the Mac.
Most spyware just comes in app installers or the apps themselves since you're installing a piece of software willfully rather than having IE pop-up with a random dialog box asking you to install such-and-such ActiveX applet.
while people do write more sneaky apps on windows, thats not the problem, the problem is the o say 60% of windows users who choose to stay ignorant, i cant count the times that my common sence advice of 3-point protection falls on def ears, heres my attack plan that i recomend to all who ask
1: first and most impotantly, RUN A GOOD ANTIVIRUS and for the love of god, update it AT LEAST 2 times a week
2: run a software firewall and turn on the windows firewall (windows firewall is weak but it does stop a few script-kiddys) the 3rd party firewall will show you any outgoing and incomeing connections, if spyware calls out, nuke its conection.
3: run spybot s&d and lavasoft's ad-aware to hunt and kill the spy apps
and my next sentense to people about security,
the best security blanket going is osx, if u r realy that scared, or intimedated by windows security, buy an imac
Yes, spyware is [mostly] preventable in Windows. But man, that's a lot of extra steps that are unnecessary on the Mac.
After testing a beta of SP2 for XP, I can tell you that when it comes out spyware will decrease 50% atleast. Due to, ICF improvements and it will be defaulted to on. Improvements in making all downloadable plugin's in IE default to cancel and not accept, and finally in popup blocking as default.
So all of those Spyware prevention steps will get a few steps shorter.
I think the best definition of spyware would be, "Any program that sends data and information without the users express knowledge and consent." In turn most trojans are really spyware, just more harmful then say GAIN.
I think the best definition of spyware would be, "Any program that sends data and information without the users express knowledge and consent." In turn most trojans are really spyware, just more harmful then say GAIN.
Comments
Posted by Placebo & Barto (kinda)
You have to be kidding me. Punkbuster is cheat-prevention software, and can be easily uninstalled.
This, my friends, is spyware. It may have good intentions, but it is still spyware.
The EULDA:
Licensee acknowledges that PunkBuster software is optional and is not a requirement in any respect for using or enjoying games that integrate PunkBuster software technology. Licensee also acknowledges and agrees that PunkBuster software is self-updating, which means that future updates will, from time to time and without any notice, automatically be downloaded and installed as a normal and expected function of PunkBuster software. Licensee further acknowledges and accepts that PunkBuster software may be considered invasive. Licensee understands that PunkBuster software inspects and reports information about the computer on which it is installed to other connected computers and Licensee agrees to allow PunkBuster software to inspect and report such information about the computer on which Licensee installs PunkBuster software. Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee's computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication. Licensee understands that the purpose and goal of PunkBuster is to ensure a cheat-free environment for all participants in online games. Licensee agrees that the invasive nature of PunkBuster software is necessary to meet this purpose and goal.
Collecting information about your computer and files, downloading files, and taking screenshots and sending them to a server without your knowledge? Sounds like spyware to me.
Originally posted by Paul
the OTHER genius bar...
Originally posted by torifile
Virex. How many viruses exist for OS X?
Nice try, but OS X can be a carrier of any number of viruses. Golly! You still think Virex is useless?
Originally posted by ThinkingDifferent
Alot of SpyWare is distributed as Craptive(Active) X Componets which doesn't work on the Mac.
Most spyware just comes in app installers or the apps themselves since you're installing a piece of software willfully rather than having IE pop-up with a random dialog box asking you to install such-and-such ActiveX applet.
sure, they can exist on both, however it's not a real problem on the Mac platform.
Originally posted by alcimedes
i suppose then i'd consider the adware/spyware situation to be the same on Macs and PC's as the virus front.
sure, they can exist on both, however it's not a real problem on the Mac platform.
Ding ding ding!
Originally posted by a_greer
SPY WARE IS PREVENTABLE ON WINDOWS>>>>
while people do write more sneaky apps on windows, thats not the problem, the problem is the o say 60% of windows users who choose to stay ignorant, i cant count the times that my common sence advice of 3-point protection falls on def ears, heres my attack plan that i recomend to all who ask
1: first and most impotantly, RUN A GOOD ANTIVIRUS and for the love of god, update it AT LEAST 2 times a week
2: run a software firewall and turn on the windows firewall (windows firewall is weak but it does stop a few script-kiddys) the 3rd party firewall will show you any outgoing and incomeing connections, if spyware calls out, nuke its conection.
3: run spybot s&d and lavasoft's ad-aware to hunt and kill the spy apps
and my next sentense to people about security,
the best security blanket going is osx, if u r realy that scared, or intimedated by windows security, buy an imac
Yes, spyware is [mostly] preventable in Windows. But man, that's a lot of extra steps that are unnecessary on the Mac.
So all of those Spyware prevention steps will get a few steps shorter.
I think the best definition of spyware would be, "Any program that sends data and information without the users express knowledge and consent." In turn most trojans are really spyware, just more harmful then say GAIN.
Originally posted by scavanger
I think the best definition of spyware would be, "Any program that sends data and information without the users express knowledge and consent." In turn most trojans are really spyware, just more harmful then say GAIN.
Shhhhhh.