If you're thinking of pirating SW, read this

[akugami]

For the type of software it is, I'm not surprised it phoned home. This type of software that monitors internet usage usually also has a black list of sites that are known to violate certain rules. Like porn sites and scam sites. The list of these web sites get updated and usually the program phones home every week or so to update the list. It probably sends in the serial number as a means of identification and it was discovered the program was installed on 3 different computers. Perfectly legit IMHO.

 

[Sureshot324]

Can't believe you made him get 2 more licenses when he didn't even want them. Just uninstall it. He has already broken the law by using program without licences and buying the licenses now doesn't change that.

 

[MangoTBG]

Which piece of software is in question?

 

[mechBgon]

Spector Pro, a spy-on software. Interestingly, it is detected by McAfee antivirus software if you're using the /PROGRAM option or have enabled PUP detection: http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_135645.htm

Anyway, I picked up on the point, which is that others can land you in the hotseat.

 

[xtknight]

That's why you use a firewall and not let the software phone home so they don't know. :laugh: (puts on flame-retardant suit) j/k

Not to mention whoever's installed that Spector software needs to be stabbed in the ass because it's an obvious violation of privacy. Then again, just my opinion, right? There are much better ways to monitor suspicious usage, such as a packet sniffer. Use Ethereal in promicious mode and a switchless traffic router like a hub.

Another reason to use open-source and freeware software.

 

[deepred98]

whoa that is friggin messed up

do a lot of programs do this or is it just firewalls and security programs?

not sure if i'll get banned for this but whatever
does protowall and peerguardian and the like block these types of attempts

i really don't want big brother looking over my shoulder

 

[Hacp]

Moral of the story:

Use a money order, and ship to a P.O. Box every time. Always give a fake phone number and never give your real name.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Moral of the story:

Use a money order, and ship to a P.O. Box every time. Always give a fake phone number and never give your real name.

And never trust a company that makes its living by spying on people.

A decent firewall should easily be able to block this nonsense.

 

[Velk]

Originally posted by: jjones
All the guy needed to do was install a program like ZA, allow this software he's using to access the internet but restrict it in ZA from going to the IP of the software company. Problem solved.

Zonealarm would also prevent him from spying on his employees, so in that case would be counterproductive ;p

 

[Busithoth]

Originally posted by: bersl2
OK, so we're talking about spyware (admin spies on users) containing spyware (program phones home).

Anything that happens to you is a just desert.

Here here.

MS firewall would've warned him about outgoing connection attempt.
but then, would he have known to block it?

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: Doomer
Spector Pro. Companies use it to monitor employees internet usage. Parents use it to spy on the kids. This was his purpose in buying it, to see what his teenaged son was doing on the net. He took it to work with him and installed it on 2 computers there. He owns the company so no heat there.

BTW: What it does, it does very well.

your "friend" owns a business and runs a company, and is old enough to have a teenage son, but have no creditcard and have to resort to paying your by check to use your creditcard?

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Doomer
About a week ago, I paid for and DL'ed a program for a friend who didn't have a CC.

Originally posted by: Doomer
This was his purpose in buying it, to see what his teenaged son was doing on the net. He took it to work with him and installed it on 2 computers there. He owns the company so no heat there.

Shens.

<edit>
Bah... someone beat me to it.

 

[effee]

Originally posted by: Modeps
Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what piece of software you purchased so I can stay away from purchasing anything from them. They have obviously violated end user privacy if he did not register the program and obtained the username from other ways.

the guy installed software that invades the privacy of others... end user privacy? what an irony.
i just find it twisted in that way where you obviously purchase a piece of software meant for spying and then ask to have your privacy respected.

nothing wrong about that. just twisted.

 

[ITPaladin]

SW? FW?

I guess I am not a member of this club.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: ITPaladin
SW? FW?

I guess I am not a member of this club.

This has already been explained a couple of times so far.

Software Firewall