opinion requested on toolbars

External Since: Jun 01, 2006 Posts: 152

Laura Fredericks <anonomiss.DeleteThis@CLOTHEShotmail.com> wrote in
news:i5tcj3lijb27l8sd6of1ps4qg72gk3s67m@4ax.com:

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> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:04:28 GMT, Dustin Cook
> <bughunter.dustin.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote in post:
>>I haven't written anything harmful in going on 8 years now.
>
> Only your posts to me.

I already said I was sorry. Smile

>>I'm not so sure the user is aware that he or she gave permission, so
>>can you clarify better how I should judge which toolbars don't
>>deserve
>>attention?
>
> You need to read the EULA yourself. If it's not obvious, e.g. it's
> not a separate paragraph, but hidden in a long paragraph of legalese,
> the you should probably include it.

Noted. thank you.

>>Agreed, but have you seen many that do?
>
> I download *a lot* of freeware. IIRC, almost all made it clear that
> the bundled toolbar was optional, or in some cases, mandatory in
> order to use the program. I know that when I've clicked "no" in
> several cases, the program wouldn't continue the installation. I
> think I remember getting a toolbar only once without my permission.
> Either that, or mention of it in the EULA was so hidden that I missed
> it. Probably the latter.

I try not to download freeware that comes bundled with something that
forces me to install it. Even if I can remove it later, I still don't
like it. It's why I won't use daemon tools on this machine right now. It
wants to install a known adware component. And while it's an optional
thing, I don't approve.

>>I'm thinking detecting toolbars (and clearly labeling them as
>>toolbars, not necessarily malicious) isn't such a bad idea.
>
> I don't think you should detect the Google toolbar, or similar ones
> that are separate installs. These type of toolbars people *seek out*
> and install. Only ones that come bundled and aren't *clearly*
> labeled.

I was thinking about that. But, people asked for the ask.com toolbar too,
and I doubt they asked for the exploit that was found in it. Hence my
delimma. Even the so called "good" toolbars are a security risk.

--
Dustin Cook, Author of BugHunter - MalWare Removal Tool - v2.2d
Email.: bughunter.dustin.DeleteThis@gmail.com
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External Since: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 83

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On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:37:06 GMT, Dustin Cook
<bughunter.dustin DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in post:
>
>> On Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:04:28 GMT, Dustin Cook
>> <bughunter.dustin DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in post:
>>>I haven't written anything harmful in going on 8 years now.

I wrote:
>>Only your posts to me.

>I already said I was sorry. Smile

Ya see, ya DO love me!

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--
Laura Fredericks
4Q's "wicked evil bitch of satire, parody, humor and trollism"

PGP key ID - DH/DSS 2048/1024: 0xC753039A

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