Some programs that offer themselves as freeware, or offer you otherwise
free services, are doing far more than simply showing you large numbers
of Internet ads. They are also getting into your computer, reading all
of your personal files, and reporting back to their servers. Sounds
like paranoid fantasy? abcnews.com, cnn.com,
and cnet.com are just a few of the news sites covering this story.
One site, TomCat Internet Solutions, has provided an extensive and ever growing list
of those who would surreptitiously, try to get on your computer and
invade your privacy. They know your name, your address, and everyone
else who uses your computer (like your children
and their friends that they chat with online). Who do they sell
this information to? Who ever they want. Keep in mind, as this list
grows old, that all subsequent versions of the software, and any software
by the named companies, is suspect.
Here is
a partial list:
123Search
1.0 (created by Aureate / Radiate.) |
1stRiadaMelt (Supplier:
WinSite. File Name: 1rmit100.exe. created
by Timesink / Conducent) |
3D
Anarchy (created
by Aureate / Radiate.) |
3D
Morris (owned by Cydoor. File
Name: 3DMorris.exe.) |
3rd
Block 2.0 (owned by Aureate /
Radiate.) |
Aadcom
Screensaver Software (Supplier: aadcom.com File Name: vx2.dll. owned
by: Onflow) |
Abe's
FTP Client (Supplier: abes.org.
created by Aureate / Radiate.) |
Abe's
Picture Finder 1.4 (Supplier: abes.org.
created by Aureate / Radiate.) |
Abe's
Image Viewer (Supplier: abes.org. Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
Abe's
FTP Client (Supplier: abes.org. Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
Abe's
MP3 Finder (Supplier: aadcom.com File Name: vx2.dll. Owned
by: Onflow ) |
AcqURL
3.1 (Supplier: abes.org. Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
ActionOutline
1.6 (Supplier: abes.org. Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
Active
1.0 (Supplier: abes.org. Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
Add
Remove Plus! 1.1 (Supplier:
WinSite. File Name: arfree11.exe. Owned
by: Timesink / Conducent) |
Add
URL 1.0 (Owned
by: Aureate / Radiate.) |
AddAce (Supplier:
WinSite. File Name: aasetup.exe. Owned
by: Timesink / Conducent) |
Add
Remove Plus! 1.1 (Supplier:
WinSite. File Name: arfree11.exe. Owned
by: Timesink / Conducent) |
Admiral
VirusScanner (Created
by: Aureate
/ Radiate.) |
Advanced
Directory Printer (Supplier: Segobit
Software. File Name: ADP.EXE. Created
by: Internal) |
Gator (all
versions Supplier: gator.com. Run
by: OfferCompanion) Special
Note: According to Symantec's Norton AntiVirus (NAV), the
Gator installer is infected with the Backdoor.Trojan, allowing
unauthorized access to the infected computer. |
JFK
Research (Created
by: Aureate
/ Radiate.) |
jIRC (Created
by: Aureate
/ Radiate.) |
KaZaA (Dec.
2001 releases up to Jan. 3, 2002. Supplier: kazaa.com.
File Name: DLDER.EXE. Created
by: ClickTillUWin. Distributed
by Cydoor Technologies.) |
LimeWire
2.0x (Dec. 2001 releases and
earlier. Supplier: limewire.com File Name: DLDER.EXE Created by: ClickTillUWin. Distributed
by Cydoor Technologies.) |
Net
Vampire 3.3 (Created
by: Aureate
/ Radiate.) |
Net2Phone (Dec.
2001 releases and later Supplier: net2phone.com.
File Name: DLDER.EXE. Created by: ClickTillUWin. Distributed by
Cydoor Technologies.) |
Yo
Mamma, Osama! (Supplier: twistedhumor.com.
File Name: wnad.exe. Created by: EyeGrab.) |
Most Internet
game demos have spyware and so do most Internet file sharing programs.
The best solution is not to download any programs off of the internet
before researching this issue. Its probably best to beware of anything
affiliated with the companies, Aureate, ClickTillUWin, Conducent, Cydoor
Technologies, Gator, Onflow, Radiate, and Timesink. For more and complete
information, visit TomCat Internet Solutions, which provides a credible list of both confirmed
and suspected Spyware programs. |
