Gator/Pop-ups/Cookies...

[Orsorum]

'K, so I ran AdAware a minute ago... came up with a fully installed version of Gator. The thing is, I've done no surfing whatsoever (no one else has used my computer), signed no popups, etc. And, yet, it somehow got installed.

My question is this... Why isn't this illegal? If I've given no consent to their use of my computer, and it still gets installed, why isn't this an invasion of privacy? Hacking is illegal; why isn't this considered a form of hacking, or maybe even a virus?

Just curious what y'all think.

 

[spanky]

it could've been installed along with other programs. i know kazaa used to be packed with spyware. other programs (freeware usually) come bundled with gator.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
it could've been installed along with other programs. i know kazaa used to be packed with spyware. other programs (freeware usually) come bundled with gator.

Yeah... but still, if there's been no informed consent... the only programs I've installed in the last ten hours are StarCraft and Brood War.

 

[Hoeboy]

i post the same kind message awhile back. i only recently found out that AudioGalaxy has gator packed in. when you install any program and click through those licensing agreement, be careful! gator can come with it.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Hoeboy
i post the same kind message awhile back. i only recently found out that AudioGalaxy has gator packed in. when you install any program and click through those licensing agreement, be careful! gator can come with it.

I know that a lot of programs do have that built in... but even if I don't install any programs... if it's hidden in the license agreement, with unclear or misleading wording, isn't that considered illegal?

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Zakath15

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
it could've been installed along with other programs. i know kazaa used to be packed with spyware. other programs (freeware usually) come bundled with gator.

Yeah... but still, if there's been no informed consent... the only programs I've installed in the last ten hours are StarCraft and Brood War.

u prolly agree to some TOS by clicking next, next, next, etc...

another reason i always choose custom install. it doesn't install inself. somewhere along the line, either u did, or someone else was using ur pc.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: spankyOO7

Originally posted by: Zakath15

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
it could've been installed along with other programs. i know kazaa used to be packed with spyware. other programs (freeware usually) come bundled with gator.

Yeah... but still, if there's been no informed consent... the only programs I've installed in the last ten hours are StarCraft and Brood War.

u prolly agree to some TOS by clicking next, next, next, etc...

another reason i always choose custom install. it doesn't install inself. somewhere along the line, either u did, or someone else was using ur pc.

*sigh* Grrr.... same with cookies!!! Most frustrating thing in the world... stuff like "valueclick", etc.... I don't even browse more than three or four sites, and it ends up in my cache... grr!