Do not buy TurboTax this Year!!! READ READ READ

[The Sauce]

Cross-posted to off topic as well. I think that everyone who is considering using this software needs to know this. I certainly won't be buying it this year.

Some info from newsgroups: "Also, everyone should be aware that TurboTax this year has started using a copy protection mechanism called C-DILLA. It requires an activation that locks it to the computer you first install it on. You cannot uninstall it and reinstall it on a different computer. Make sure you don't buy a new computer after installing it on your old computer - you won't be able to use TT on the new computer if you do. I presume that Intuit will provide some mechanism for overriding this if you call in and wade through tech support, but to do so will surely require a good chunk of time spent on the phone. In addition, the C-DILLA program remains installed and resident on your computer even when you are not using TurboTax, and even *after* you uninstall TT. It uses up approximately 1MB of ram and 4 threads - About 1.5% of a 64MB machine's system resources. Not a lot of by todays standards, but still a significant amount considering that when TT is not running (or is uninstalled), it is completely unneccessary. Also, just imagine if every vendor starts implementing a similiar mechanism, with each one taking up another 1MB of ram. There are also rumors on the internet that CDILLA may also be performing some spyware type activities.

 

[jcovercash]

i dont plan on buying it anyway, They sent it to me FREE in the mail....

I have no idea why, I got the federal and state version.

Illl just put it on my moms crappy comp and format it when we are done.....

 

[Mark R]

The C-dilla program is apparently quite a menace. Relatively little info is readily available however, it uses a number of techniques borrowed from trojans and worms.

1 - it uses 'stealth' install techniques, and attempts to subvert 'install monitoring' programs, preventing them from detecting it's registry entries and files
2 - It remains resident and loads on startup even after it has been 'uninstalled'
3 - It monitors internet traffic and will block or corrupt transfers that it decides are 'unauthorised'
4 - It monitors the use of CD-R or CD-RW drives on the computer. It will block access to the drive, if it decided that you are attempting to burn 'unauthorised' material.

 

[sean2002]

who makes this program, c-dilla, whats there website? ;-)

 

[Mark R]

www.c-dilla.com

 

[Vadatajs]

I remember reading somewhere how to remove cdilla if you have it. I'll try and find it.

 

[Miramonti]

if I'm not mistaken, when I had c-dilla on my computer a year or two ago, ad-aware removed it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: AMDman12GHz
i dont plan on buying it anyway, They sent it to me FREE in the mail....

I have no idea why, I got the federal and state version.

Illl just put it on my moms crappy comp and format it when we are done.....

I got a copy in the mail also. Fine print. Must be activated via the internet. This is the Deluxe which comes with a free E-file of Federal and Free State download.

 

[madthumbs]

Do NOT use Adaware to remove c-dilla!

 

[NicColt]

not new they did the same (or should I say similar) thing last year. Bump

 

[Odoacer]

i have cd-illa and i need it (not at liberty to say why on these boards) but yeah...

it doesnt seem to do anything (i dont think it even shows up in msconfig) but i'm not using any fancy detecting tools so it could be sending out my credit card numbers and social security number every second for all i know

i've had it instaled for a while and no adverse effects so far.... just my two cents

 

[NicColt]

>i have cd-illa and i need it (not at liberty to say why on these boards) but yeah...
>it could be sending out my credit card numbers and social security number every second for all i know

I've been thinking about this statement for over 30 minutes and I have to say this. I understand that it get's installed but what possible reason, or *why* would you need or want such a thing. The only possible thing I can come up with is that it's required to start or run a program, but then again. This is worst than a mensa brain teaser.

 

[Mattlock]

Does anyone know if Kiplinger's Tax Cut has the same software embedded?

Mattlock

 

[Toxic]

I thought Spybot could take it out

 

[Lint21]

Originally posted by: NicColt
>i have cd-illa and i need it (not at liberty to say why on these boards) but yeah... >it could be sending out my credit card numbers and social security number every second for all i know I've been thinking about this statement for over 30 minutes and I have to say this. I understand that it get's installed but what possible reason, or *why* would you need or want such a thing. The only possible thing I can come up with is that it's required to start or run a program, but then again. This is worst than a mensa brain teaser.

My hunch is that he is a developer for a company that uses c-dilla in their products. Or perhaps works for c-dilla directly.

 

[NicColt]

>My hunch is that he is a developer for a company that uses c-dilla in their products. Or perhaps works for c-dilla directly

The Devil himself.... I never though of that.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: madthumbs
Do NOT use Adaware to remove c-dilla!

mind telling us why? Or are you just talking out of your butt?

 

[EagleKeeper]

TurboTax Production Activation

TurboTax product activation is quick and easy. It is based on the exchange of numeric codes between your computer and Intuit. These codes are:

The TurboTax Product Key, a unique number assigned to each TurboTax CD (found on the CD sleeve/case or in box).
The Request Code, which is generated when you activate TurboTax. The Request Code encodes elements of the Product Key along with a random number, but contains no personally identifiable information.
The Activation Code, which is the number Intuit sends back to you so you can activate your product.
None of these codes contain personally identifiable information, nor can they be used to identify any personal information about you or your computer's configuration or contents. (See our Privacy Statement.)

During product activation, the Product Key and Request Code are sent via a secure Internet connection to Intuit. The Product Key and Request Code are used together to generate an Activation Code that is sent back to you so that you can begin working on your tax return. Activation is completed either directly via the Internet, which takes less than a minute, or by dialing into an automated telephone activation system. Both options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TurboTax FAQ Production Activation

The Macrovision SAFECAST® product activation technology used by Intuit installs files on your computer when you install TurboTax. These files serve as your product license; in addition, they also manage and protect that license. These files interact only with TurboTax and with each other. Macrovision SAFECAST does not gather any personally identifiable information. It does not examine, modify, or gather information about your computer, your computer's contents, or your activities or behavior, nor does it transmit any such information to Intuit, Macrovision, or any other party.

Q1. What does Macrovision SAFECAST do?

Macrovision SAFECAST enables software publishers to control the licensing and use of their software. Intuit uses Macrovision SAFECAST to ensure that only properly "activated" copies of TurboTax can be used in certain ways. During installation, TurboTax creates securely encrypted license files on your computer that contain user permission information. TurboTax then unlocks (decrypts) and examines those license files as needed.
Q2. What does Macrovision SAFECAST not do?

Macrovision SAFECAST does not:
Gather any personally identifiable information about you.
Examine, modify, or gather information about your computer, your computer's contents, or your activities or behavior, nor does it transmit any such information to Intuit, Macrovision, or any other party.
Scan or examine the contents of your computer's hard disk or other devices to gather information about your files or behavior.
Observe, track or record your behavior, such as which Web sites you visit, which CD-ROMs you use, which files you store on your computer's disk drives, etc.
Q3. Why does Macrovision SAFECAST install extra files on my computer when I install TurboTax?

Some of the files serve as your license to use TurboTax, while others manage that license (for example, allowing it to be activated and checking it for validity) or protect that license (for example, by insuring that only TurboTax can access the encrypted information). These files interact only with TurboTax and with each other. They do not examine, modify, or gather information about your computer, your computer's contents, or your activities or behavior, nor do they transmit any such information to Intuit, Macrovision, or any other party.
Q4. What is C-Dilla?

C-Dilla is a company that was acquired by Macrovision in 1999. Some of the Macrovision SAFECAST technology used in TurboTax is derived from earlier C-Dilla products.
Q5. What is "spyware"?

"Spyware" is jargon for hidden programs that transmit user information to others (usually advertisers) without the user's knowledge.
Q6. Did C-Dilla produce "spyware"?

No. All of the above statements concerning Macrovision technology apply equally to C-Dilla and its products.

 

[Pauli]

I have been using WebTurboTax for the past few years without any problem. Nothing to install on my machine -- no bullcrap to deal with. I guess I am a bit concerned about Intuit having all of my tax information though.

 

[adreamer1st]

This is the first year Intuit did this activation stuff. I know I installed last years on my computer and laptop with no grief. I was a loyal customer of this program..but I don't think I will be buying it this year. I just can't stand programs that install stuff I don't want and won't uninstall it later.

I am sure I could work around it and tear it out manually but what a pain.

From what I understand the other program. Taxcut does not have this "feature". I read on a review by a user on the amazon.com site that taxcut will import your Turbotax info into their program. So thats good.

 

[Toxic]

Hell, I like Turbotax, so I'm going to use it this year anyway. It's about time for a wipe on the HDD anyway. I'll just do it after I get my tax return back.

 

[aircooled]

What's the best alternative to TurboTax this year? Is TaxCut going to use activation also?

 

[DannyBoy]

Ok 2 questions, someone please tell me what TurboTax actually is.

and secondly, a friend of mine works for c-dilla (Diff company now not sure what its called), and all i know of them is that they are a company that work on ways of protecting illegal copying and multiple installations of software. Ive had many talks with him about the work he does and he has explained to me that a lot of microsoft games use c-dillas technology to stop them being copied, (One of the hardest to copy apparently at the time being Flight sim 2000).

What i dont understand is what this turbotax program is, and what c-dilla have to do with it. I would like to find out some information about it so i can discuss things with him. If people were to explain to me what this was about, maybe i could talk to him to discover a "confidential" way of removing this "protection".

Someone explain to me what this turbotax and c-dilla business is please

Dan

 

[AKA]

Just go to the web and use it there instead of installing any software is what I did.

 

[corkyg]

This is another good reason to use an accountant.