Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: 715 on November 30, 2002, 10:04:29 PM

Title: Question re web 'safety'
Post by: 715 on November 30, 2002, 10:04:29 PM

I just tried to download the v1.2 update patch for Battlefield 1942 from an EA.com recommended server.  The server tried to install gator spyware on my machine.  How common are hostile web pages like that?  How soon before boxed commercial software releases try to generate a tad more money by including spyware in them?  Or do they do that now?

715 the paranoid

Title: Question re web 'safety'
Post by: Starbird on November 30, 2002, 10:14:46 PM

Quite a few companies do that now. More than most people think.

Grab adaware from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

it will go thru your files and registry and tell you what spyware you have installed.

Theres also other sites that will tell you what certain files on your computer are, and what to look out for. I dont have them handy at the moment tho.

Another way you can protect yourself is setting up a good firewall. Only let certain things out, and keep an eye on any programs that want to 'phone home', as it were.

Title: Question re web 'safety'
Post by: WldThing on November 30, 2002, 10:26:01 PM

Thats pretty cool thanks!

Title: Question re web 'safety'
Post by: ALF on November 30, 2002, 11:29:45 PM

Also be sure to send EA a friendly note about how you do not appreciate paying for a product and them not having the courtesy to host the patch themselves or AT LEAST make sure that their official links do not add spyware and such.