November 30th, 2004
I've just installed Kazaa-Skype, and I've got 2,509 adware files
After temporarily disarming my PestPatrol anti-spyware program, I downloaded and installed the free version of the new Kazaa-Skype package today.
Then, around 10 a.m. Pacific Time,I firedmy PestPatrol back up. Right now, it is still counting the spyware, adware, scumware, pests-whatever you want to call it -that came along for the ride and Kazaa parked on my hard drive.
Right now, it is4 p.m. and PestPatrol is still beachcombing the digital sectors of my beleaguered hard drive.
The latest count: PestPatrol has found 2,509 pests. The program has identified most of this digital detritus as Gator/GAIN/Claria files.
There are two ways to look at this issue. Adware and spyware slow your system down, and the worst of their breed (apparently not a problem on Kazaa) can compromise your online anonymity. Plus, it seems that on this download, my toolbar picked up an extra search engine that I don’t need or want.
The counter argument is that in the free version of Kazaa, you don’t only get the core product, but the free Skype. So, with that in mind, it is only fair thatKazaadevelopers Sharman Networksget some of their money back by selling deep code access to the Gator/GAIN/Clarias of the world.
I won’t urge you one way or the other. Free is good. Whether you are willing to put up with thousands of adware objects in exchange for free calls (and, if you have no conscience, free music) is up to you.
But let me tell you what I am going to do. As soon as I post this item, I am going to beeline over to Add/Remove Programs and banish them from my PC. Then, I am going to instruct PestPatrol to obliterate all this stuff.
No more being squeezed by Sharman. See ya later, Gator.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
