ESPN site loads spyware cookies

[Turf]

Spyware is the next big computer epidemic after Trojan's and Viruses about to hit. I've been scanning sites recently. I can tell you that ESPN loads about 4 cookies on your computer that come back as spyware every time you click a page. Now I know they're not dangerous spyware, but spyware nontheless.
The reason I mention this is that this site does NOT load any type of spyware cookies, while a lot of other message boards do (no, the other Bills boards don't either).

[Pride]

This will become a huge problem.... believe me, I know.

This is how you fight it!

Lavasoft!

Most people are familiar with freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, interactive content, and file sharing. What they may not realize is that some of the aforementioned may contain code or components that allow the developers of these applications and tools to actually collect and disseminate information about those using them.

They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. The security and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network!

Lavasoft is the industry leader and most respected provider of anti Trackware solutions. We have developed several applications that will provide you with the means to keep your computer or network free of these compromising and intrusive threats to your privacy.


DOWNLOAD NOW (http://www.networkingfiles.net/nf0312/cookie/aaw6.exe)

NOTE: Make sure you update the program after you install it. (It works much like AntiVirus Programs do, so you need to update the "definitions")

[Mr. Miyagi]

:up: Pride. I've had Ad-Aware for a long time, it's free and it works great. :)

[Earthquake Enyart]

Stupid ESPN with that dumb "commercial" that loads up in the banner, then you get the dumb Orbitz popup..... Blah blah blah. If you have a POS pc like I do at work, It has to take at least a minute for all that crap to load....

I don't go there as much as I used to. I have all the nerds here searching for info for me... :nerd2:

[Ebenezer]

I never go to ESPN.

[Cntrygal]

Originally posted by Earthquake Enyart
I don't go there as much as I used to. I have all the nerds here searching for info for me... :nerd2:

:scratch:

WOW! I'm considered a nerd? That's never happened before!

:insane::drinker:

[G. Host]

yeah it is a hassle and I need to log in every time I need to go to a site but it is worth it keeping those cookies cleaned. I also disabled the popups and I am looking for way to change browser in order to turn on/off multimedia content at will like I do cookies and popups.

[LtBillsFan66]

Originally posted by Pride

NOTE: Make sure you update the program after you install it. (It works much like AntiVirus Programs do, so you need to update the "definitions")

How do you update it? I've had the program for a while. I don't see anywhere in the program where you can update.

[lordofgun]

Originally posted by G. Host
yeah it is a hassle and I need to log in every time I need to go to a site but it is worth it keeping those cookies cleaned. I also disabled the popups and I am looking for way to change browser in order to turn on/off multimedia content at will like I do cookies and popups.


www.avantbrowser.com

I never use anything else.

[northernbillfan]

I love Ad-Aware. I also use Spybot Search and Destroy.


Originally posted by billsfanone


How do you update it? I've had the program for a while. I don't see anywhere in the program where you can update.

It's not automatic, you have to update via the net. Lavasoft (http://lavasoft.de/software/adaware/)

Spyware Forums (http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/index.php)

EE called us nerds :bf1:

[Michael82]

Thank you for the latest update, Pride! I needed it. My computer has been screwing up too much lately and i've been getting too many popups.

BTW, It found 29 files. :eek:

[Voltron]

I can't remember all my passwords and stuff so I like the cookie thing. Spy ware is another story all together :angry:

[Voltron]

Originally posted by lordofgun



www.avantbrowser.com

I never use anything else.

THANKS!!! LOVE IT!!!


Makes surfing porn so much easier with out all those popups :D

In all seriousness though It does seem to be a bit slower than IE. Has anyone else noticed that?

[Pride]

As far as updating Ad-Aware. The latest version has an icon towards the top right of the program window. Looks like a globe?? Doing this from memory. Click that and it connects to their server to update. It isnt automatic like AVirus programs, but it is very easy. Click update, and its done.

[Turf]

Originally posted by G. Host
yeah it is a hassle and I need to log in every time I need to go to a site but it is worth it keeping those cookies cleaned. I also disabled the popups and I am looking for way to change browser in order to turn on/off multimedia content at will like I do cookies and popups.

I haven't tried out the free ones. I've been using pest patrol ($39). It has a keylog checker, cleans out cookies immediately on the fly, and does a good job with latest definitions and spyware. I've seen it fix quite a few things, but have no idea how it rates against the free ones that are out.

[northernbillfan]

Originally posted by Travis Hunter


I haven't tried out the free ones. I've been using pest patrol ($39). It has a keylog checker, cleans out cookies immediately on the fly, and does a good job with latest definitions and spyware. I've seen it fix quite a few things, but have no idea how it rates against the free ones that are out.

Do you have link?

[Turf]

Hmm, let me think, oh yeah

http://www.pestpatrol.com/

:)

[Turf]

I downloaded lavasofts ad aware. Nice program. It found 7 small things missed by pest patrol, I don't know if they are significant. Of course, having not run ad-aware first and then pest patrol next, it's hard to say whether pest patrol would have found things ad aware missed.
However, the full functionality is not free. It doesn't run in the background unless you buy it for $49. I'm not saying it's better or worse, maybe they complement each other, but at least the free version of ad aware will remove what it finds, whereas the free version of pest patrol won't.

[Stewie]

You guys with your lavasoft or search and destroy are missing out on the easiest method to stop spyware...

Stop using IE :)

Use Mozilla for its robust features, including built in popup killer and the ability to deny all cookies except for certain sites. (IE has a much more roundabout way of doing this, and it disables some functionality you might want).

[Turf]

It's only cause Mozilla isn't mainstream that no one targets it. My guess is that it's weaker than IE security wise if anyone really wanted to get in.

[Typ0]

People are overtly paranoid. A lot of these things are implemented to actually improve the individuals experience on the site. For example. If the site knows you have particular interests they can deliver different content on page loads relative to those interests. While some sites abuse this stuff there are good companies out there who have the right marketing ideas to learn what their customers want and deliver that to them as opposed to making something up and trying to coax them into buying it.

[Turf]

That is true Typo.
But as of very recently, I have seen computers totally demolished by spyware, so much that they can't even maintain a cable modem connection.
If it wasn't so late I could give program names, but I don't want to make a mistake and implement an innocent party. I had no idea spyware was as bad as it is until very recently, and it benefits me nothing if anyone buys any spyware program. Spyware programs don't delete all cookies either, the good ones still work. Run the freebie ad-aware, you'll might be surprised.

[Stewie]

Originally posted by Travis Hunter
It's only cause Mozilla isn't mainstream that no one targets it. My guess is that it's weaker than IE security wise if anyone really wanted to get in.

Just the opposite is true.. Mozilla is many, many times more secure than IE

Mozilla is open source, and has the benifit of a worldwide programming team working out the kinks.. As long as you don't run a beta version, you KNOW for a FACT its secure and its not spying on you.

How do you or I know that IE isn't recording every site you visit and sending that info to Microsoft? Bottom line is we don't. With Mozilla, we know, because its open source.

[Voltron]

Originally posted by paulB


Just the opposite is true.. Mozilla is many, many times more secure than IE

Mozilla is open source, and has the benifit of a worldwide programming team working out the kinks.. As long as you don't run a beta version, you KNOW for a FACT its secure and its not spying on you.

How do you or I know that IE isn't recording every site you visit and sending that info to Microsoft? Bottom line is we don't. With Mozilla, we know, because its open source.


Lemme guess you are a linix person :D :jk: paul

I just don't understand why everyone tries to make Microsoft in to this huge devil!!?? What has Bill Gates done besides have an idea and the marketing knowledge to make the PC what it is today. Of corse Microsoft is going to be like a monopoly, they had a HUGE head start on everyone. Apple marketed themselves out of the market by not opening it up and making their boxes more affordable. The Unix people were too slow to make a package that was user friendly and easy to install. So there was a vacume and Microsoft filled it. I am not saying I would join the Bill Gates army but I just don't see the problem that everyone has with him and his company. I am thankfull to him because without him I would have no job today. Any one that is in ANY IS or IT job should kiss this mans feet for the jobs you have today.

[Stewie]

I have no probem with Gates, in fact I admire him for his entrepenurial success..

That doesn't change the fact that Windows and I/E are closed source systems! This fact alone means that we cannot ever be completely sure what the system is really doing with our hardware (whether it be spying or distributed computing or whatever).

With open source, we know exactly what it is doing, because we can (if we choose) download the source code, read it, compile it, and use it. Thats the biggest advantage to open source software (that and the fact its free).

The only thing I don't like about Microsoft is their tendency to bloat software to the point of no return. I understand that some people need complex features, but why not sell a simplified, stripped down version of their software packages to the 85% of people who don't need anything more?

[Earthquake Enyart]

Nerds.

:nerd2:

[Gunzlingr]

I use Opera, it has built in popup stoppers, and I use Tracks Eraser pro at work to delete all my cookies, logs, IM logs and history. I have it set to delete them when I close the browser. It also has a hide command that makes all browser windows disappear :snicker:

[Voltron]

Sorry Paul didn't mean to make it sound like you hated Gates. I was just raising an Issue I see with a lot of Linix and Unix people. Did not mean to point fingers :shake:

[Stewie]

So'k I didn't take it that way