From: Kenneth Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear Listers, Having coming recently from the peecee world, I am aware that many websites put spyware and mini programs onto your computer while searching on the net. In the old world, I had a program from LavaSoft called Ad-Aware that erased all this spyware. It was a freeware program.
Is there any such shareware or freeware program for the Mac (OS X Panther) that will delete these pieces of junk? I looked at Connectix's program, but it is a bit pricey for what it does.
There is no "spyware" in the traditional sense embedded in programs for the Mac.
There *are* some of programs that do version checking via the internet, and others that send your registration information back to the maker. RealPlayer offers you the OPTION of sending back data about your connection to help them improve the service, and Apple now has built-in crash-reporting that offers you the OPTION of sending them data about your application crash if you have one. Some people consider this "spyware" but I do not.
To me, "spyware" is defined as "hidden software, usually part of another program, that, unknown to the owner, performs malicious actions (such as keystroke recording) or relays information about the user or their computer without consent." Limewire on the PC is a good example of spyware (Limewire for the Mac does not, to the best of my knowledge, have spyware in it).
Keystroke recorders and other such software is available for the Mac, but again that doesn't seem to me to fit the definition of "spyware" unless you (the owner) are using it maliciously against other people (who are unaware).
For those who are paranoid or have reason to be concerned, a utility called "Little Snitch" allows you to monitor and block any OUTGOING connection on your computer. This offers reassurance that no unauthorised activity is taking place.
_Chas_
Have you noticed that this administration's harshest critics are ... lifelong Republicans?
Richard Clarke, Paul O'Neil, John McCain, Scott Ritter, John Dean ... and the list goes on ...
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