Is google/norton/itunes a virus or monitoring structure, amongst others?

Originally posted by Ankil
reply to post by Beachcoma

 

"We only have One Planet"

Speak for yourself

Huh? You've access to another planet? Well, lucky you!

Originally posted by 1337cshacker
I would hardly call it a conversation though, since flyer has not shown any means of constructive communication.

Actually, Flyer's recommendations makes the most sense for people who aren't on the up-and-up with computer technology. Don't get me wrong, I understand everything you posted. On my own personal computer I use nothing but SysInternals tools.. no AV, no FW. Just ProcessExplorer and TcpView.

But I wouldn't dream of recommending it to my clients (I fix computers in my spare time) because even with both a virus scanner and a firewall, they always manage to get their boxes infected anyway If I suggested to them what you have suggested, I'd probably get calls in the middle of the night from them asking me to repeat step so-and-so again despite the fact that I've already printed out a nice easy-to-follow instruction set, which they'll not get anyway... so in the end it's kind of a moot point. But never mind that, otherwise I wouldn't have a nice side income. That was probably the point Flyer was trying to make (though he wasn't as tactful).

Now, let's put aside our computer skillz egos for a while, and let's get back to the main topic of discussion, ok?



Google is in the midst of acquiring DoubleClick. For those who aren't too sure what the significance of this is, the company provides ad-serving services, usually with the help of a tracking cookies which monitors users as they go from site to site. The cookie compiles a list of sites you go to in order to "better serve targeted advertising" to consumers.

Google herself already has a large database of it's users, much like all the other internet ad giants. This acquisition will make her even more formidable. Imagine -- DoubleClick's tracking system combined with Google's AdSense (which analyses the pages you visit to serve targeted ads). A demonstration of AdSense technology can be seen on this very website. Notice how the little text ads at the side of each page seems to fit the subject of discussion on each page?

There's probably no conspiracy here, but it's still worrying the amount of power Google is acquiring. I'm just hoping they still stick to their mantra of "you don't have to be evil to make money."

Some reading material:

HTTP cookie
DoubleClick
AdSense

Originally posted by Beachcoma
""" I would hardly call it a conversation though, since flyer has not shown any means of constructive communication."""-1337

Actually, Flyer's recommendations makes the most sense for people who aren't on the up-and-up with computer technology. Don't get me wrong, I understand everything you posted. On my own personal computer I use nothing but SysInternals tools.. no AV, no FW. Just ProcessExplorer and TcpView.

But I wouldn't dream of recommending it to my clients (I fix computers in my spare time) because even with both a virus scanner and a firewall, they always manage to get their boxes infected anyway

If I suggested to them what you have suggested, I'd probably get calls in the middle of the night from them asking me to repeat step so-and-so again despite the fact that I've already printed out a nice easy-to-follow instruction set, which they'll not get anyway... so in the end it's kind of a moot point. But never mind that, otherwise I wouldn't have a nice side income. That was probably the point Flyer was trying to make (though he wasn't as tactful).

Yes that is true he DID and I'm willing to accept it because its proven fact. He never did with me really, but I'm over it, and fankly don't care. I never recommended using 'our' ways because the noobs wouldn't know whats going on.

Originally posted by Beachcoma
Now, let's put aside our computer skillz egos for a while, and let's get back to the main topic of discussion, ok?

PLEASE!!! Lets do. I left multiple computer forums so I wouldn't have to do this, and refuse to here!! I love it here btw!

Originally posted by Beachcoma
Google is in the midst of acquiring DoubleClick. For those who aren't too sure what the significance of this is, the company provides ad-serving services, usually with the help of a tracking cookies which monitors users as they go from site to site. The cookie compiles a list of sites you go to in order to "better serve targeted advertising" to consumers.

Google herself already has a large database of it's users, much like all the other internet ad giants. This acquisition will make her even more formidable. Imagine -- DoubleClick's tracking system combined with Google's AdSense (which analyses the pages you visit to serve targeted ads). A demonstration of AdSense technology can be seen on this very website. Notice how the little text ads at the side of each page seems to fit the subject of discussion on each page?

There's probably no conspiracy here, but it's still worrying the amount of power Google is acquiring. I'm just hoping they still stick to their mantra of "you don't have to be evil to make money."

Some reading material:

HTTP cookie
DoubleClick
AdSense

Nice wiki links. I worry about googles power honestly. The government should LIMIT the amount of power a company can have, instead they step in and give it the OK. "Ya go ahead, we like google, we have allot of power ourselves you just do it our way ok?"

As far as the conspiracy goes in this goes, it's my opinion now that it it. Thats only because I'm insecure about the world around me and can't/don't trust anyone. Just not worth it in the end. I will have an open mind about it and if someone can prove its not a conspiracy to further control us I would be very glad/relieved to accept it.

[edit on 7-10-2007 by 1337cshacker]

So you're a L33T hacker.
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Here it comes
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WHO CARES???


Here you are nothing but a name, a post and an avatar to everyone else. So f you want to go brag about your mad hacking skills, please do that elsewhere. If you want to engage in respectful discussion with other members, please stay.

Google is in LEAGUE with HLS and will never have its capabilities reduced under this regime.

Sad but VERY TRUE.

S...

reply to post by Springer


Seriously?

If true, this news article I found seems to make scary sense:

Why google wants your genes

Originally posted by Beachcoma
That was probably the point Flyer was trying to make (though he wasn't as tactful).

It was but then Ive never been tactful.

Youve got to keep things simple for the 95% of people who know nothing about computers. Its much easier to tell then to use a firewall, AV and spyware scanner that it is go out and sort the mess theyd have if they tried going without it. Especially if theres kids in the house.

Thanks for the great response. I was also wondering, are there any other pieces of commercial software which may be data mining heavily and monitoring you yahoo being an obvious one. Any thoughts or suggestions?

reply to post by For(Home)Country




No offense, but, if you had the money for Vista Ultimate ... then, you have the money for a decent low-end computer ... OR, you could spend about the same and upgrade your computer. So, for less or equal to the price for Vista Ultimate, you could improve your system to actually run it and another program at the same time.

I just can't understand if you computer is within the last couple years, it should perform better than that, or something has to be wrong. I have a feeling your problem relates more directly to your total memory. I would say with the Aero ... you should have AT LEAST 2 GB RAM ... more would be better. Unfortunately, Vista itself is a memory hog, add in that visual bonus, and it magnifies any lack in memory. This the main reason I hadn't even considered Vista myself yet. I will wait until I can upgrade my memory to 4 GB, and will probably upgrade to a dual-core (or quad-core) processor first.

Example ... I have 1 GB RAM SDDR (200 MHz), AMD 3500+ (2.2 GHz) processor with XP MCE 05 SP2. I have PeerGuardian2, AVG anti-spyware, AVG anti-virus, Windows Defender, Rainmeter (with 6 configs open), ATi catalyst, FlyakiteOSX that also loads up UberIcon, WinRoll, Y'z Shadow ... all of those usually running from startup ... I usually have several other programs and windows open when I am doing anything.

Now, either I did some magical tweaking, or, something is wrong with your computer (such as not enough memory).




I fully recommend protection software to most users ... even most seasoned users. Unless you want to restrict your surfing on the net, or, never go online. Adblock+ and NoScript are great protection on Firefox, but, as soon as you allow something, you are vulnerable, even if it is a trusted site.

Prevention is much better than the cure ... Chlamydia is curable, but, abstaining or wearing protection is much better than catching it and removing it from your body ... and ... what if you run into something that is not curable that a little bit of protection and inconvenience might have helped prevent. No protection is 100%, abstinence is ... so not plugging in the ethernet/phone jack/wireless card is your 100% protection.

I agree, you better know what you are doing to mess with system files, and have backups of all your stuff in case you do mess something up and need to do a destructive restoration. Playing around with things that make the computer run can be dangerous, and without full understanding of each thing, stupid.




Google, I don't trust them. I like playing with GEarth, but, I refuse to use GDesktop or GSearch. You can do a search and find search engines that donate to charity for every search you do. I have lost it, since I currently use a MetaSearch engine.

iTunes, I account it more towards GREED. It came with my computer, but, ws thoroughly disappointed they ONLY let you get covers and info if you have an iTunes store account, which can ONLY be had if you have a credit/debit card. Ridiculous. I do prefer Apple computers though. I will own one again, but this thing I use now works well for its purpose. They both have their pros and cons, anyone who says anything else is biased or 'fanboy' status. Linux can be added to that statement as well.

Norton is such a pain ... it also came with my computer, and after deletion, I still found it in places ... so like AOL (which also came with the computer), it doesn't like to be removed and you have to seriously hunt it down to fully clear yourself of its infection.

I also don't trust YouTube ... and a lot of other sites. oh well

Originally posted by Springer
Google is in LEAGUE with HLS and will never have its capabilities reduced under this regime.

Sad but VERY TRUE.

S...

Then here is a question ...

Why does ATS use Google's search engine at the top of the page?

Why haven't you switched to a different search engine or use your League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to create a search engine best suited for this site. I can tell you from personal experience, and I have read many others ... the Google site search leaves a sour taste in the mouth - poor results and sometimes is the cause of duplicate threads

Originally posted by FreeThinkerIdealist
Why haven't you switched to a different search engine or use your League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to create a search engine best suited for this site.

Because AdSense makes good cents.. hehehe.

But seriously, one of my passive income sources is from AdSense as well, I'm getting pretty decent money just adding my sisters' blogs to the program. I sit on my comfy tush and make money without having to do anything, really. It's not my blog.

Just come across an interesting article about government meddling in the way the internet may be run in the future. Link is below. Any comments?

www.theregister.co.uk...

As a computer professional I can tell you WITHOUT A DOUBT.. YES!

Not so much Norton, Norton just sucks.. however -

Google Desktop scans and records ALL OF YOUR FILES. ALL OF YOUR INTERNET HISTORY, ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION (Including location).

Google (standalone search) - RECORDS ALL OF YOUR SEARCH HISTORY IF YOU HAVE A GMAIL ACCOUNT YOU ARE REGULARLY SIGNED INTO. WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT IT JUST RECORDS YOUR IP ADDRESS.

ITUNES - Notorious for recording information in an extremely un-secure fashion.

OK here it is, gulp, I use Norton Internet Security and I know what the problem is.
Its the automatic live update service, it runs at random intervals frequently.
I just upgraded to 2007 recently because I was happy with 2-3 years previous use of Nortons products.
But they screwed up with this one, I have to keep manually closing down the live update feature in services.msc because the Live Update OFF feature on the program doesnt do anything (it still updates).
BUT although I stop the process in services and switch it to disabled for start up type it resets itself to auto after 2 pc start ups. then I have to disable it again manually in the services.
Once its off though it is off and no longer do I wind up with a string of LUCALLBACK and all that rubbish in my task manager.

So the lesson here is to disable it, disable it again a couple of boots later and repeat.
Ive come to no resolve for switching it off fully.
Nothing else of the Norton product interfears with my PC.

Now some will say ohhh move on, but the problem is I want an all in one package.
I dont want to use a seperate firewall, antivirus, anti spyware, anti this and anti that, Norton sorts it all out for me, pop up blocking, intrusion blocking, spyware and all the other little bits and bats.
Its not all about a firewall and an anti virus, theres other things I need controlling, and apart from the stupid auto update switching itself back on after every second boot its done the job for me and has done for 3 years nearly since I got my first pc.

Oh and I dont look at kiddy porn and I dont bank online so I couldnt care less who wants to see what I do, its really not very interesting.
I just want to have a healthy fast running pc that isnt offering me viagra, porn, poker or weight loss pills.

[edit on 9/10/07 by eagle32]

Originally posted by FreeThinkerIdealist

Why does ATS use Google's search engine at the top of the page?

Why haven't you switched to a different search engine or use your League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to create a search engine best suited for this site. I can tell you from personal experience, and I have read many others ... the Google site search leaves a sour taste in the mouth - poor results and sometimes is the cause of duplicate threads

I concur! "Breaking News" with the pinging back and forth with Google to check and see if some one has posted something similar, and you get no results. Then you post the thread, either to get flamed for posting a thread that had been posted 20 minutes before you, or you have someone else's thread taking off even though you posted yours last night, and they posted theirs during the morning rush.

I don't know, I have had this happen like 5 times in the last month, and it has gotten to the point that I don't think I will bother posting any new threads, unless it is not 'breaking news'... Sorry to derail this thread if it does, I just never realized it was a google search for some reason. Makes sense why it is fickle.

DcoMoreau

Originally posted by blowfishdl
As a computer professional I can tell you WITHOUT A DOUBT.. YES!

Not so much Norton, Norton just sucks.. however -

Google Desktop scans and records ALL OF YOUR FILES. ALL OF YOUR INTERNET HISTORY, ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION (Including location).

Google (standalone search) - RECORDS ALL OF YOUR SEARCH HISTORY IF YOU HAVE A GMAIL ACCOUNT YOU ARE REGULARLY SIGNED INTO. WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT IT JUST RECORDS YOUR IP ADDRESS.

ITUNES - Notorious for recording information in an extremely un-secure fashion.

Heh, almost makes me sad I have gmail. I use gmail just because its total own compared to any other webmail out there, and I refuse to use M$'s (or any other) inferior mail clients. Whenever I do a google search for something questionable, I use anonymouse, so it cant trace an IP at least.

Please now add windows update to my list of subversive programs.

The reason asked me three times in half an hour if i wanted to install updates, I said no each time and when i was out of the room in the interval, whatever it is programmed with, installed and rebooted my computer. This is BS. This makes me think that I need to format my hard drive again, as I have all other, useful data, backed up remotely.

reply to post by djaybeetoo


You can set it to not install, not download, or, turn it off all together.

I would like to hear comments on how necessary some of 'the geek squad' feel ... with or without other modes of protection.

reply to post by FreeThinkerIdealist


Sure, but then there are stealth updates that download without your permission.

Confirmation of stealth Windows Update

And the worst part is that it actually messes up your PC.

Stealth Microsoft update breaks "repaired" XP

Microsoft is just pure evil...

Thanks for the input, to reboot this thread, what are your thoughts on the move to censor and corporately/governmentally control the internet?

I was on gizmodo or techeblog the other day and I saw that Blockbusters was due to release a legal download service. Is this a start of a new trend?

Or a way that corporations are trying to co-opt the grey area of P2P downloading? Are they late to the party or do you think this is a good idea?