I hate all foot-in-the-door salesmen...equally...

ditto

In many, if not most cases, there are freeware programs without spyware that are available that can be used instead of programs that are in league with advertisers and use trackers. So the "how they keep programs free" is a rationale used for the public, IMO. They want to make money and spyware is how they do it.

There's also a difference between adware and spyware. For example, the free version of Opera has ads. You can read their privacy statement. Ads are displayed but it isn't spyware. I used that for a bit to try it out and then paid to support the product. That's one thing. But spyware (which the user wasn't or isn't always informed about before it's loaded on his machine) is something else. There's some real sleazeware out there and if any of them have cleaned up their acts its due to pressure from the antispyware folks and the proliferation of proggies that can detect and remove spyware.

Also some spyware stuff can really screw up your system or at least the performance thereof, so it's not entirely benign. And some make it almost impossible to remove without damaging your system.

Have you checked out the sites for Adaware, Spybot Search & Destroy and their related forums for info and/or input? There are some others out there as well with lists of programs which contain spyware. Here's the spyware info site (which also has forums) if you're interested:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/

What really gets me is there are programs (like some commonly used games..the egame stuff?) which you BUY and the software contains spyware (timesink for example). I don't mind paying a few bucks for something I want to use, but no way am I going to pay and still have spyware on my machine. It's my machine and internet connection if they want to use it for tracking sites visited, ads, etc, then they should be paying ME for the use of my resources. But really I don't want that stuff on there at all.

Given the choice I don't think anyone would actually want any Spyware on their system. There are those that just don't care... but I doubt anyone actually welcomes it.

Adware is different, not all Adware is Spyware... and the kind that isn't is simply supporting the software developers whilst keeping the software free.

I personally have no problem with Adware, since I am so used to Internet Ad banners I just don't 'see' them anymore, and I do believe the software developers should be rewarding in someway for the (free) software they provide.

I feel Adware bridges the gap between complete freeware and commercial software, and as long as it isn't proven to contain Spyware in any way then I feel it is perfectly acceptable.

I say that all adware and spyware should be taken out back and hung by the neck until DEAD.
Does that answer your question? >

I agree with sig, and Hell Dragon............
Adware is fine, such as the free, full featured version of Eudora. Spyware is evil.

thx guys im actually gonna use some of these points. i myself hate teh stuff and do every possible thing to get rid of it on my computer.

I totally disagree with anyone who doesn't mind adware; I have to endure ads all day, every day, in every way, on the TV, on the Radio, on billboards, in papers, in magazines, on the sides of buses, the list goes on and on, ad infinitum. I do not and will not put up with them on my computer if I have anything to say about it, and I spend my hard earned cash on software that will make sure that I don't have to put up with this non stop flow of drivel and mind numbing garbage. Thank you

Jam, you just contradicted yourself quite badly... you said 'I spend my hard earned cash on software that will make sure that I don't have to put up with this...'.

Well... Adware is free, that's why the ads are there. You don't buy Adware.

If you do buy software of course you won't also have to put up with ads. Most software that is Adware also has a 'pro' version that does have the ads, you have to basically pay to remove the ads.

That's your choice, Jam. I don't use adware either but some people evidently don't mind it and that's their choice and it's their PC. The key for me is "informed consent" and whether the user has the information and opportunity to make that choice for himself.

I don't like spyware or adware. I regularly scan my computer with ad-aware from lavasoft just to make sure that none of that pesky stuff makes it onto my system, or if it does, that I am removing it promptly.

bmetelsky: You might also want to try SpyBot Search & Destroy...it's relatively new freeware and has apparently rapidly surpassed Adaware in capabilities.

i know what im looking for on my computer and i just go about removing it manually

sig101,

Thanks,

I'm going to check it out now.

SpyBot has me sitting fully erect this morning! This has to be some of the best freeware I have seen in awhile. It does what I always wanted Ad-aware to do. Block the stupid cookies and such from getting loaded in the first place. My hosts file is HUGE now but I've noticed that most web ads no longer get displayed either.


While downloading SpyBot I discovered this nice little script. It calls MS Word's spell check for highlighted text in IE. Fantastic for forum use. Might put Jafo out of business.

http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/