Opinions sought about "OptOut" Program

[Brangwen]

I just finished reading info contained at the following site: http://grc.com/default.htm which contains, among other things info about "security leaks" in the form of tagging downloads from certain products like Real. I bring this site to the sysopt members' attention as I'm curious what opinions are about the author of the aforementioned site and the programs such as OptOut. I had never seen this before. My sister in FL brought it to my attention.

Brangwen http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

PS: I am in no way promoting anything. Just seeking opinions and trying to be informative.

[M_Six]

I've looked into this extensively. It is true, this type of software does "phone home" everytime you use it, but that's the price you pay for some "freeware". I have no problem with ad-supported freeware, but I have a major problem with any software installing and running a third party program without telling me about it first. The OptOut program used to be free. Now I guess he charges for it. I believe he maintains a free list on his site of software which uses third party tracking software. I've even pointed this out to Scott K. because some software highlighted in his SysOpt newsletter used it. He posted a note in the next issue covering his feelings on it. The lesson here is, there is rarely such a thing as a free lunch. Read privacy statements on all software downloaded off the net. You'd be surprised (and shocked) what some companies are doing with your personal info.

[Dave_H]

I hate the whole idea about any program
"phoning home". I have been against any form of Spywhere and will never install any program that contains it.

The Steve Gibson utility is still free but soon a new version will be released that users will have to pay for. As of right now, the optout utility will only detect the Aureate\Radiate spywhere.
Here is the current list of programs known to contain this: http://www.infoforce.qc.ca/spyware/

Here is a free utility that will detect not only Aureate\Radiate, but also Conducent\Timesink, Comet Cursor, and Cydoor.
Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoft.de/)
This utility also lists every running task on your system at the time of the test so it could also be of help in trouble-shooting other problems with your system.
Dave

[M_Six]

Thanks Dave_H,

Great find.

[Brangwen]

Thank you, Dave, for the comprehensive reply with the links. Any opinion on ZoneAlarm?

Thx. Brangwen http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[grunt]

Brangwen, you also asked about opinions on Steve Gibson (the author.)

This guy is the real deal and I have no problem recommending his site or products. In addition to Opt Out, he has an area of his site dedicated to probing your machine for "open" ports that nerds could potentially hack into.

In addition, Steve is the author of the best hard drive utility ever, SpinRite.

[BFlurie]

JMO, I agree -- Gibson apparently knows his stuff. He's right that these things could potentially be used to bad effect. But keep in mind this type of thing is his "business" now. I seriously doubt the average user would be compromised (maybe inconvenienced) by this sort of thing. The only thing I consider is if it slows my browsing down & puts a bunch of annoying ads on my window.

[alan]

great link dave for ad aware, been using optout for a while but now im converted will be using ad aware from now on http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
alan

[This message has been edited by alan (edited 08-06-2000).]