Rent-to-own laptops used to spy on people having sex, FTC says

If you so happen rent your computer from rental store, you could be spied on the FTC says. Rent-to-own companies initially uses the software to check down stolen PC's or if you fail to pay for the computer, they would remotely shut the machine down.

The software was developed by DesignerWare LLC. These companies would ask for your personal information and even watch you through webcams. The FTC wants the companies to stop using the software however, they are not required to remove it from the machines.

However, these rental companies are forced to warn the renters that the software is there and basically it is up to you whether or not if you decide to use their PC's

This is nothing new to me, everyone want get into the spying game. I am really surprise that no lawsuits or complaints files as of yet for invasion of privacy, then again..your life is private anymore.

So any comments...




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reply to post by sylent6


I am not a lawyer, but it seems like a stretch to be able to sue someone over something you willingly participate in with full knowledge of what is going on. You said they have to tell them right?

I did not know there was such a monster a "rent to own" computers.


First thing I would do if I was renting one of these would be to format the HD and install a version of Linux....

Originally posted by billy197300
reply to post by sylent6

 

I am not a lawyer, but it seems like a stretch to be able to sue someone over something you willingly participate in with full knowledge of what is going on. You said they have to tell them right?

But what about the customers that got their PC's before the ruling and weren't told of the software.?

They weren't told and to me, it's illegal spying as much as a peeping tom would be in violation of such laws.

Peace

Can't watch you doing the vertical mambo if you don't have a webcam or unplug it. Problem solved.

If you ever happen to rent a laptop, be cautious not to have sex with that thing's lid open, and the webcam pointing at you!

this is one of those situations where it pays to be paranoid HA i bought a brand new laptop for my daughter in college and the first thing i told her was to cover up the built-in webcam before even turning it on!

reply to post by n3mesis

Or you can just goto your device manager and disable the webcam.

reply to post by gladtobehere


If people are renting computers, I doubt they're very savvy about how to use them.

Originally posted by ecapsretuo
If you ever happen to rent a laptop, be cautious not to have sex with that thing's lid open, and the webcam pointing at you!

edit on 27-9-2012 by ecapsretuo because: (no reason given)

black tape, problem solved

My TV, laptop, tablet and cell phone all have cameras. When I do something nasty/naughty I just stare at whatever lens is closest and mouth dirty words. Hopefully I'll frighten anyone willing to watch. Meow.

Originally posted by RobertF
I did not know there was such a monster a "rent to own" computers.


First thing I would do if I was renting one of these would be to format the HD and install a version of Linux....

yep, and they charge so damn much.. you can rent to own tvs, couches, beds, all sorts of things.. but again, if you rent to own a 1,000 machine, they tax so much u end up paying like 1,500 for it.

Well, first point is that if someone has a laptop, knows it has a camera that is actually within field of view to such things going on, and leaves it that way anyway....they get what they deserved. I don't even have a webcam plugged IN...and my Laptop one is disabled at the system level and kept that way because of how easy it's become to trigger them from remote.


I'd also say in all seriousness, if someone doesn't know how to find and defeat this software or take a machine...any machine....and clone the drive (so it looks all nice and proper for the rental store when it goes back someday) but then install their own software, it's literally hoping for the best of human nature from an industry (rent to own) whose whole purpose is to take advantage of people.

Save some money up and just buy a cheap floor model special from Best Buy or Craigslist. Rent to own maybe..kinda...sorta for some people may work for TV's or Washers or something..but not computers. It's so much trust in the hands of the slick talking shyster who sold ya on paying too much for the thing in the first place.

reply to post by RobertF


or you could cover the webcam.
unless the screen is the webcam O_o

Even if i did rent my laptop i wouldn't care. Ima porn star, im sure they'd just end up sending me a check in the mail along with free merchandise n gift baskets ...... Might end up sending their girlfriends/wife too, I'm that good....

reply to post by dayve

I think the real concern is that they'd have the access to turn on or use the Webcam in any way. I've yet to see software with anything like this level of ability that doesn't ALSO give complete and total access to the whole file system too.

"Copy (client computer) -> (ACME Rent-To-Own Server) on nightly or weekly or whatever schedule while it's idle. Who'd even know? How many actually run bandwidth meters to track data flow in those terms and see it happen? I'd just never trust an outside person with such access in the backdoor of my comp. Even my school graphics are copyrighted material I created... Everyone has stuff not intended for the public, right?

reply to post by billy197300


No your right but before, I don't think they're telling people. Now I'm pretty sure they knowledge the fact that the computer has a tracking device and they're able to shut it down but, collecting personal information, logging keystrokes, and viewing you on webcam is a whole another story all together.

The way technology as soooo advance in the last..what 5 to 10 years, everything we do is being monitor. We might as well be walking in the nude these days.

I have rented a laptop from a rent-a-center but the first thing I did was wipe the hard drive, then weeks later I seen the same laptop at a pawn shop for half the price. Return it to rent-a-center the next day after another wipe.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Originally posted by jude11

Originally posted by billy197300
reply to post by sylent6

 

I am not a lawyer, but it seems like a stretch to be able to sue someone over something you willingly participate in with full knowledge of what is going on. You said they have to tell them right?

But what about the customers that got their PC's before the ruling and weren't told of the software.?

They weren't told and to me, it's illegal spying as much as a peeping tom would be in violation of such laws.

Peace

Yea, I think thats what they're doing. No one knew about until someone (ats member) found out and cause an #hit storm about it.

But even still, it appears the FTC doesn't really care otherwise they would have them to removing the spy software, not the tracking devices.