winamp and zone alarm

[sparki]

since i've been running zonealarm i have now noticed that winamp tries to connect to the internet when you start it up.

why does an audio player need to connect to the net if you r not even going to listne to streaming audio.

very dodgy !!!


ahh right silly me !!
but you never know ?

[This message has been edited by sparki (edited 03-14-2000).]

[seti]

It checks to see if you have the latest version http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[shadow]

I noticed on the latest version there's an extra window attached to winamp when I first open it with some ads it pulls from the internet, I suspect thats why my ZA asks if winamp can communicate.
PW

[Gomer]

a)it checks the net to see if a new version is avialable.

b)when you insert a cd and use winamp to play it, it accesses the CDDB (cd database) and automatically creates a playlist with the song titles and all the rest of that jazz. Works for just about any CD.

c)That extra window you are refering to is some sort of webrowser. Why winamp has it, who the hell knows? It is annoying but easy to make disappear. Right click the top of the winamp window and uncheck the minibrowser option. All gone.

If it really freaks you out, you can disable it so it doesn't access the net at all but the CDDB feature is awesome.

[OuTpaTienT]

I've always had Winamp NOT check for the latest version. I usually do the same with ALL my software. I figure I can get the upgrades when (and IF) I need them. Sometimes you don't want the newest version of something,...ya know?

Just like I don't want my car driving itself to the mechanic to get a tuneup.....I prefer to remain in control of my inanimate possessions. I'm just funny that way... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[seti]

I'm not running the latest winamp....I had a weird problem where only the right channel would play.

As for automaticly checking for updates....I think it's useful for your softwear to let you know when there's an upadate. I hate it however when it gets pushy about it. The real jukebox beta's wouldn't load if there was an update.

I think every progam should come with an auto-patcher, as long as you can download the patches as well.

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 03-15-2000).]

[U-96]

v.1.

WinAmp installs the following .dll without your permission - notreal.dll

This .dll is activated every time you open WinAmp. It will open an invisible browser on your desktop and having scanned your registry, will send this information to WinAmp Associates, Inc., a global media and advertising company.

Tell all your friends about this code! Your privacy is being violated!!!!

****************************

v.2.

WinZip installs the following .dll without your permission - notreal.dll

This .dll is activated every time you open WinZip. It will open an invisible browser on your desktop and having scanned your registry, will send this information to WinZip Associates, Inc., a global media and advertising company.

Tell all your friends about this code! Your privacy is being violated!!!!

**********************

v.3.

The D.Net client installs the following .dll without your permission - notreal.dll

This .dll is activated every time you open the client. It will open an invisible browser on your desktop and having scanned your registry, will send this information to D.Net Associates, Inc., a global media and advertising company.

Tell all your friends about this code! Your privacy is being violated!!!!

********************************

Anyone see a pattern forming here?

How long before these ficticious incidents (which I just made up) will be on BBS all over the place? How every free and useful internet-related tool contains insidious code that snoops on you? Ignorance and fear walk hand-in-hand...
Why do people worry about Aureate but not think twice about using WinAmp, or WinZip, etc...? Food for thought.

U-96

[seti]

LOL!

Maybe we think they don't need to sell there soul because they have the dough through registration fees and web banners on their site.

Hey, everyone likes a good conspiracy. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[OuTpaTienT]

hehe.

Winamp includes a "mini"-browser window. So, of course it opens an "invisible" browser, but it won't be invisible if you just view it's browser window. (sorry, don't know if you knew that or not.)

[grandslammer]

Yeah, just tell it you don't have an internet connection. It's a dumb program, it won't know any better!

Mike