US Spyware Bill

[RDS1955]

I can understand Software Companies wanting only people who purchase their software to be using it, but I don't like the idea of the congress giving them authority to snoop my PC without my knowledge or prior approval..

http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3483741

The specific paragraph which caught my eye:

"The bill permits computer software providers to interact with a user's computer without notice and consent to determine whether the user is authorized to use the software. Network monitoring is also exempted from the provisions of the notice and consent requirements of the bill to the extent that the monitoring is for network or security purposes, diagnostics, technical support or repair, or the detection or prevention of fraudulent activities."

This is a "Catch-All" phrase if I've ever heard one...

"PARANOID?!?!?? WHO'S PARANOID??

[Nilfennasion]

How much do you want to bet that Mickeysoft used favours to get this bill under consideration?

Like SPAM, it is only a matter of time before people start suing for a law to outlaw spyware.

[glockjs]

and that SPAM bill is working out oh so well isnt it. there's little to nothing anybody can do with the internet so wide and almost endless. oh wait, there is one thing....protect yourself. i almost dont feel sorry for the people who dont take the time to learn how to protect themselves

[Nilfennasion]

The reason the SPAM laws in Australia are not working as well as hoped has many facets. Among them are a backbone ISP with no will to enforce it. Add to that the fact that there is no right of private action... well, you get the idea.

SPAM is not something a police force can fight. It is something debt collection agencies, those with the time and resources, should work on. As for how this applies to Spyware, well, I believe it should be prosecuted as the same kind of offence. It is simple stealing of someone else's computer resources.

[glockjs]

actually spyware is alot easier to track than SPAM..it usually belongs to a registered company..and those mother f'ers should fry

[Nilfennasion]

Either way, they represent someone stealing someone else's computer resources and using them to conduct business. Legit businesses have a lot to gain by the organised hunting-down of those who persist in this crap, namely the restoration of confidence in the Internet marketplace.

The problem is that the individual whose abilities lie in areas other than IT is not easily able to track down and prosecute these idiots on their own. Hence my idea that collection agencies should offer a certain amount for the right to claim the damages on their behalf. There ain't a police force nastier than the debt collectors.

[Blazey]

and that SPAM bill is working out oh so well isnt it. there's little to nothing anybody can do with the internet so wide and almost endless. oh wait, there is one thing....protect yourself. i almost dont feel sorry for the people who dont take the time to learn how to protect themselves

Can I ask you a question? Where is a good place to learn how to protect yourself? Other than the software I have (PC Cillin, AD Aware and Spybot) I really don't know what else to do. Is there a good book you recommend?

[dvdguy4]

And they worry about identity theft. If the software companies can do it then we might as well just let anyone into our computers. Time to elect new people . Theyre in it for their own personal gain.

[Likos]

What this is great news. Now I can write a little application. Like a cat scratching the dsktop or something. Iffer it for free download. Script in a phone home script. Add the VNC code to it and then have LEGAL access to whoever uses it. Like anyone at say Micro$oft, Intel, Depatrment of Defence, the Presidents pesonal computer....

This proposal is a secrity disaster waiting to happen.

[BobV]

and that SPAM bill is working out oh so well isnt it. there's little to nothing anybody can do with the internet so wide and almost endless. oh wait, there is one thing....protect yourself. i almost dont feel sorry for the people who dont take the time to learn how to protect themselves

As for feeling sorry for those who leave their PC open to attacks I do sympathize with them. Why? Because to most PC users the PC is only a tool , a tool which is a means to an end. Their days and nights should not have to be spent trying to defend themselves against those who would use their PC against them. If so why bother?

[glockjs]

and that SPAM bill is working out oh so well isnt it. there's little to nothing anybody can do with the internet so wide and almost endless. oh wait, there is one thing....protect yourself. i almost dont feel sorry for the people who dont take the time to learn how to protect themselves

As for feeling sorry for those who leave their PC open to attacks I do sympathize with them. Why? Because to most PC users the PC is only a tool , a tool which is a means to an end. Their days and nights should not have to be spent trying to defend themselves against those who would use their PC against them. If so why bother?

i can kinda understand. but then again i once didnt know what spyware was, after the first attack though i did some research and learned how to combat it. maybe im just mad because if it's my friends or family im the one who has to deal with it

[glockjs]

see, exactly what im sayin. decided to call my dad last 5 min of my lunch break...and he's bitchin about his computer bein slow and stuff poppin up. well he made me 20 min late just tryin to walk him through what to do...grrr me"ok go here and here and download this" him"uhhh, it says this after i click download" me"just click yes and download it" him "r u sure, it says ......" me"yes" him "ok what do i do" me"install it" him "it says this and that" me"just click next" him"ok it says.." me"keep hitting next and ok" him"but it says" me"CLICK FREAKIN NEXT, NEXT, NEXT "

[mike1061]

I don't see why it should be up to the indiviual user to protect themselves. A person should not be required to know how to do anything to a computer, in order to use the internet. What are we going to do? give classes before your alowed to take the computer out of the store? How about sign a afidavid that states my 11 year old daughter is not going to use the computer?

My sugestion (which is wrong, and going to get me trashed) is, sombody write a progam, that I can just push a button and send it right back to them. So that when ever I get a pop up, spam, spyware, adware, virus, trojin hourse, junk fax's, phone co. slaming, or any unwanted probe, or change in my life, boom I distroy there computer.
Ok, ok at least delete any mention of my personal info from there computer.
Thanks Mike