Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Spyware in galaxy near you:Program tracks surfing, delivers pop-up ads, can collect credit-card info
Wired.com ^ | 1/24/02 | Jeffrey Benner

Posted on 1/25/2002, 1:21:36 PM by truthandlife

Edited on 6/30/2004, 2:08:41 AM by Jim Robinson. [history]

The latest scandal over so-called spyware involves a mysterious and particularly insidious program that tracks your surfing, delivers pop-up ads and could even collect your credit card information.

You may not have heard of the VX2 Corporation, but if you've downloaded Audio Galaxy lately, VX2 may know a lot about you.


(Excerpt) Read more at wired.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: computersecurityin

1 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:21:36 PM by truthandlife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
I ran into a peculiar pop-up today at Newsmax. Tried to click on an article and a new screen had to be closed before I could see the article. This has never happened before. Be sure and post when you read about something to block this spying.
2 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:25:47 PM by lsee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lsee
Well, duh, I should have read the last paragraph! And when I went back to Newsmax to recreate the pop-up from earlier, it didn't happen....weird.
3 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:27:55 PM by lsee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lsee
You can download the free software at the bottom of the article.
4 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:28:04 PM by truthandlife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
The first time I downloaded and ran Ad-Aware, it flagged 84 suspect files on my hard drive! BigBrother.com is watching.
5 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:28:18 PM by Middle Man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Bump for later reading.
6 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:31:00 PM by barker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Modell. Audiogalaxy is probably the best music DL site out there right now.

Pop-up ads themselves reek out loud, but lately I'm seeing some that have the corner X way above the top of the screen. Fortunately, hitting Alt-F4 will get rid of such.

-Eric

7 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:32:24 PM by E Rocc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Middle Man
I got 87 outta mine yesterday, still can't find the hidden Windows files. My next box is going to be a dual HD with Linux on one drive, screw MS.
8 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:46:34 PM by steve50
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: steve50
I have a second hard drive on one of my machines, it might just be time to audition Linux. If they ever get a big sponsor like IBM, they might give MS a run.
9 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:51:10 PM by Middle Man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: *computer security in
Bump!
10 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:55:27 PM by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: boston liberty
Ping!
11 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:55:56 PM by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Ad-Aware is a must have for anyone using these P2P type programs. Morpheus is the best file sharing program out there right now and they claim NOT to use spyware in their software. I have been using Ad-Aware and Morpheus for some time now and I have never had any spy issues from them. I feel 99% safe using Morpheus.
12 posted on 1/25/2002, 1:57:35 PM by Mixer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: boston_liberty
I am sorry but I did not put the comma in after the word "Spyware" when doing the search.
14 posted on 1/25/2002, 2:01:06 PM by truthandlife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
I use AdAware at bootup but I still found the vx2.dll file on my hd.
15 posted on 1/25/2002, 2:07:36 PM by KateUTWS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson