Comments on: iDownload: Follow the money http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498 Helping PC users make sense of Microsoft software since 1991 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ken http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-945 Ken Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-945 Ed, your cease and desist letter is probably in the mail. :) This stuff is unbelievable. Ed, your cease and desist letter is probably in the mail. :) This stuff is unbelievable.

]]> By: Ken http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-946 Ken Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-946 As a follow-up to my own comment, this raises a question of how the average user -- or even a more experienced or savvy "power" user -- can avoid downloading bad software from dubious outfits. You mentioned the ICSA lab people, and I wouldn't think of downloading any security software that they haven't certified. Likewise, I try to make it a point to avoid software that doesn't carry Microsoft's "Designed for Windows XP" logo, although I sometimes make exceptions if independent research persuades me that the program will work fine with XP. Are you aware of any other reputable certification agencies, like ICSA labs, who regularly and rigorously test software to ensure high performance, stability, or security with XP? Thanks. Ken As a follow-up to my own comment, this raises a question of how the average user — or even a more experienced or savvy “power” user — can avoid downloading bad software from dubious outfits. You mentioned the ICSA lab people, and I wouldn’t think of downloading any security software that they haven’t certified. Likewise, I try to make it a point to avoid software that doesn’t carry Microsoft’s “Designed for Windows XP” logo, although I sometimes make exceptions if independent research persuades me that the program will work fine with XP.

Are you aware of any other reputable certification agencies, like ICSA labs, who regularly and rigorously test software to ensure high performance, stability, or security with XP? Thanks.

Ken

]]> By: Ed Bott http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-947 Ed Bott Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-947 I think it starts by assuming that any piece of software is untrustworthy until proven otherwise by a preponderance of reliable evidence. Most of the crapware out there, including the stuff that iDownload sells, doesn't survive five minutes' worth of simple Googling. I think it starts by assuming that any piece of software is untrustworthy until proven otherwise by a preponderance of reliable evidence. Most of the crapware out there, including the stuff that iDownload sells, doesn’t survive five minutes’ worth of simple Googling.

]]> By: Ken http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-948 Ken Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-948 That's an excellent working assumption. Unfortunately, Googling also leads the unwary -- or the obsessive tinkerer types like the way I used to be -- to these crapware websites in the first place. :( That’s an excellent working assumption. Unfortunately, Googling also leads the unwary — or the obsessive tinkerer types like the way I used to be — to these crapware websites in the first place. :(

]]> By: Michael http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-949 Michael Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-949 That's exactly it, preying on the innocent. The one time this PC fell victim to spyware, I knew instantly something was happening and I removed the malware programs immediately. However, the average consumer hasn't got a chance. Are they going to read through the EULA? No. Do they understand the risks? No. Are they better off by downloading spyware? No. Then throw in all the deceptive techniques like drive-by downloads and consumers stand no chance. The spyware companies know this. And that's why we have such a huge problem with spyware. That’s exactly it, preying on the innocent. The one time this PC fell victim to spyware, I knew instantly something was happening and I removed the malware programs immediately. However, the average consumer hasn’t got a chance. Are they going to read through the EULA? No. Do they understand the risks? No. Are they better off by downloading spyware? No. Then throw in all the deceptive techniques like drive-by downloads and consumers stand no chance. The spyware companies know this. And that’s why we have such a huge problem with spyware.

]]> By: John Pro http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-950 John Pro Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-950 I contacted 'idownload' with the view to getting their side of the story .... I used their live one on one messenger type help service to ask some questions. The first guy declined to answer anything of substance and then disconnected me without warning. A few hours later I tied again and "Alberto"from the help desk insisted that 'idownload' soft ware was "safe". However he was short on specifics and told me to write to the New York address with any further questions I might have. I checked the address given{google search} and the floor given is a "virtual Office" , rent by the week or even by hour. They virtual office even has a mail service from $60/month. I suspect 'idownload' uses this "glitzy" New York address as a sign of substance and respectability ... Another sleight of hand trick coming from the masters! ....or so it would seem. regards...... johnpro I contacted ‘idownload’ with the view to getting their side of the story ….

I used their live one on one messenger type help service to ask some questions.

The first guy declined to answer anything of substance and then disconnected me without warning.

A few hours later I tied again and “Alberto”from the help desk insisted that ‘idownload’ soft ware was “safe”.

However he was short on specifics and told me to write to the New York address with any further questions I might have.

I checked the address given{google search} and the floor given is a “virtual Office” , rent by the week or even by hour.

They virtual office even has a mail service from $60/month.

I suspect ‘idownload’ uses this “glitzy” New York address as a sign of substance and respectability …

Another sleight of hand trick coming from the masters! ….or so it would seem.

regards……

johnpro

]]> By: Shawn http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=498&cpage=1#comment-951 Shawn Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=498#comment-951 Really good job on this, I am glad that some people are still doing investigative reporting. Thanks for your work here, it is greatly appreciated Really good job on this, I am glad that some people are still doing investigative reporting.

Thanks for your work here, it is greatly appreciated

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