Do not buy TurboTax this year! Read Inside

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mdcrab

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2001
2,105
0
0
Also found this at ET "the latest release of TurboTax comes with Macrovisions's obnoxious C-Dilla malware. C-Dilla prevents you from copying the CD by disabling your CD-RW drive. That means it's monitoring your CD writing activities all the time. As if you needed more processes running on your machine. Early reports from some users indicate that C-Dilla has caused interference with other software and that it is inordinately difficult to get rid of, perhaps requiring a low-level hard disk format. And to make things even dicier, Intuit apparently did not overtly inform purchasers of the new TurboTax that C-Dilla was included and would be installed on their systems. " Complete article here:


TurboTax Customers Strike a Blow Against Intuit
 

mdcrab

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2001
2,105
0
0
I recently heard an interesting quote,

"Failure is not an option, it comes bundled with software!"

In the case of TT, it apparently seems its headed that way.

mdcrab
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
4,741
34
91
This needs a bump.

Oh and I just bought Taxcut Deluxe from BB for $24.99 - $5 rebate + free copy of Microsoft Money standard. Just dumped Intuit completely in one fell swoop. :)
 

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
Supposedly Intuit said that they would include an update for TT which gives you the option of also uninstalling C-dilla.
Problem is, when I uninstalled TT, it did NOT give me any such option. And c_dilla remained on my hdd, hidden.
But wait, there's more ;)
As I watched during the TT uninstall, my OTHER hdd's Music folder got snooped. This is where I keep my legal copies of my music.
WTF?! Why is Intuit including a program that appears to monitor my media files, apparently for the life of my computer?!

This sux!
 

techfuzz

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2001
3,107
0
76
I sent an email to TurboTax way back when I first became aware of the outrageous issues associated with their product. Today, approaching 1 month from that date in which I sent the email, I got a response (the one and only). Below is my original email with their response.

--- Begin my email---
Product Activation I had been using Intuit products for some years and most recently TurboTax software, but since I have learned that TurboTax requires the installation of Macrovision's SafeCast I will be taking my tax software business elsewhere. My decision is based entirely on personal privacy which I feel Intuit and Macrovision have infringed upon with the inclusion of SafeCast. The EULA does not specifically mention SafeCast nor does it disclose what it's purpose is. Finally the EULA does not state that SafeCast will ALWAYS be running in memory hidden to the average computer user. Attempts to disable SafeCast between TurboTax sessions have shown to render TurboTax unusable. No method to shutdown SafeCast between TurboTax sessions was included either automatically in the TurboTax application or manually by the user. I'm sorry to say that Intuit has lost this customer due to its deceiving privacy practices and questionable ethics.
--- End my email ---

--- Begin TT response ---
Dear Mr. Ruegsegger,

Thank you for sharing your concerns about TurboTax Product Activation. Feedback from customers like you is the best way for us to know exactly what you're experiencing so we can work together to get you correct information and the best solution. Below is some information concerning TurboTax, Product Activation, and C-Dilla. Note items 4 and 8. You are correct that SafeCast should not be disabled before you are finished using TurboTax. However, item 8 below applies when you are finished using TurboTax for the year.

1) TurboTax 2002 includes a product activation process that ensures TurboTax is used in accordance with the TurboTax software license and services agreement.

2) Product activation ties printing and filing from the TurboTax federal product to a single computer, preventing unlicensed use of the product.

3) The Macrovision SafeCast® (C-Dilla) product activation technology used by Intuit installs files on your computer when you install TurboTax. These files serve as your product license in addition to managing and protecting that license.

4) These files are not "SpyWare." They interact only with TurboTax and with each other.

5) Macrovision SafeCast® (C-Dilla) does not transmit any personally identifiable information to Intuit or any other party. It does not examine, modify, or transmit any information about your computer, your computer's contents, or your activities or behavior.

6) Product activation will not prevent you from using your CD-R or CD-RW drives.

7) Privacy was a key consideration when implementing the Product Activation technology in TurboTax.

8) You can delete Macrovision SafeCast® (C-Dilla) folders and components associated with TurboTax. An uninstall utility is available on our support site at http://www.turbotaxsupport.com/default.asp?platform=1&DocID=836



I am sorry you feel the way you do about Product Activation, and I hope this information helps to lessen your concerns. If you would like to get more information about product activation, please see the Product Activation page at http://www.turbotaxsupport.com/default.asp?platform=1&docid=815. You are a valued customer and your opinion matters. If I can answer any additional concerns that you may have, please let me know.

DonB
--- End TT response ---

FYI, the return email is: DonB_Support@intuit.com
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Too late, Intuit. You tried to pull a fast one, you got caught, and now you want to offer an uninstall utility? No way.
 

RossGr

Diamond Member
Jan 11, 2000
3,383
1
0
Originally posted by: bmacd
what are the alternatives to using TurboTax (besides filing manually and hiring an accountant)?

-=bmacd=-

Go to the Intuit site and file using the web based software, why buy a CD?
 

mdcrab

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2001
2,105
0
0
Go to the Intuit site and file using the web based software, why buy a CD?

When you use web based software, all of your information is stored on their computers. Although remote, there is always a possiblity there system may be compromised or that your info may read by others within the company.

mdcrab
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Yesterday, I bought Taxcut ($9.95 after rebate) and got MS Money free (after rebate w/purchase of Taxcut).

I have used Turbotax for years, but that ended with this year's debacle. Screw Intuit.
 

techfuzz

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2001
3,107
0
76
Well I'm finally done with my taxes for this year. I bought TaxCut, got $5 its price, then I also got for free MS Money AND Home & Business Attorney software. I also picked up a copy of the state version of TaxCut which I also think I got for free after rebate. Finished and filed my return earlier this week. All done until next year! Thanks TaxCut! F' you Intuit!

techfuzz
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,108
3,877
136
For most of us, TaxCut Deluxe is the right choice (to get free TaxCut state after rebate).

However, if you only need TaxCut Standard, you have through 02/22/2003 to get BOTH TaxCut Standard + Microsoft Money 2003 Standard FREE after a bundle rebate. Heck, you could even make a few bucks if you swung some sort of coupon purchase at your favorite office supply retailer, with a filler item or two.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Since people bumped this, here is more info.

The Product activation program C-Dilla actually places code on a hidden sector on the hard drive. It is the same area that many viruses also attack. It is an unstable area of the hard drive to write or keep code to begin with.
 

Turkey22

Senior member
Nov 28, 2001
840
0
0
well it's kinda too late for me, but I file just on their website, I dont use their software, but if I did I would be very pissed. not to mention but for some reason they charged me this year, however it seemed I was within the criteria for free use
 

freegeeks

Diamond Member
May 7, 2001
5,460
1
81
there was a big article about this on Slashdot.

It seems that TT writes to the MBR. There are people who lost their multiboot-os (overwrites LILO ...) config because they installled TT.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
How easy is it to do your taxes with TaxCut compared to TurboTax?

For a fresh start, it seemed the same.

TT works great at importing the previous years info.

TC is able to bring in most of TT data from the previous year. Does not seem a polished as TT but it got the job done.

 

Hammer

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
13,217
1
81
i bought taxcut instead. i hope enough people hear about it so that their sales are hurt and they're forced to dump it next year.