New generation of adware?

So there I was.....standing in the shower thinking about all things technological. I started to recall a few things from the movie Minority Report. Remember that cereal box, that when he poured his cereal into the bowl, it started an advertisement? Well, I realized,"Hey, that is a big possibility for the advertisemtn companies. And, that lil program on that box, that would be considered adware wouldn't it?" Here is a site with a really nice definition of spyware and adware, and the rules abou them, and other stuff, just read:

http://www.clickz.com/experts/archiv...le.php/1483761

So, according to the rules and laws so far (there aren't any), couldn't a company dealing in adware, with another companies permission, start put advertisements on cereal boxes, buckets of laundry detergent, and the like? In my opinion, I think that we aren't that far off from this. Technology is growing and running rampant it seems, so, I don't think it is that far off when we will be pouring a bowl of cereal and listening to a little bear advertise something, and then chucking the box across the room. Wow, as pissed as we can sometimes get at ads popping up on our computer, just imagine how pissed we are going to be when we have to see and listen to these things in our own homes?

And so I'm playing Halo on my XBox, seconds away from finishing off the Covenant once and for all, and all of a sudden --

Pop up: "Click here for hot pron!"

CRAP!!!

Technically they already advertise on the cereal boxes and the like... You have to figure we already have advertising everywhere, even in our showers (look on your shampoo bottle). I mean c'mon it's nothing new. Years ago there wasn't as much advertising as there is now. I think we will get used to it and move on.

On funnier note...Spybot S&D and Adaware for cereal boxes...

He does have a point though. As more and more aspects of our lives "go online", can you imagine how far the problem will progress if left unchecked? We've already just seen our first proof-of-concept cell phone virus, so it's reasonable to say cell phone spyware/adware is equally possible *shudder*. The possibilities are virutally endless.

So I'm getting Spybot on my next cell phone...

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So, according to the rules and laws so far (there aren't any), couldn't a company dealing in adware, with another companies permission, start put advertisements on cereal boxes, buckets of laundry detergent, and the like? In my opinion, I think that we aren't that far off from this. Technology is growing and running rampant it seems, so, I don't think it is that far off when we will be pouring a bowl of cereal and listening to a little bear advertise something, and then chucking the box across the room

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Well, I think that they can print what they like on the box, but as soon as they include electronic devices, the law will step in.

Like maybe the box has a couple of hundred nylon ball bearings and 2 ounces of C4 in it???? :eek:

Also, it would be rather expensive?...............and wouldn't we take our scalpels to the boxes and remove the battery and components?

I cannot honestly see it happening.

Cheers

Yes, you see, we have NO laws in place right now. I think, right now, the most people conscious about this subject is the IT people, the "nerdz". We know about adware, and spyware, but most everyday people don't really think about it. (hobbdebub, you know how my mom is about that spyware and adware, because she thinks my firewall is causing her home page to change, and not spyware *rolls his eyes*) Don't you think it will be a big eye opener if they were to see an advertisemnt for Levi blue jeans when they open the lid on their Tide Detergent? I seriously think laws should be implaced to put limits on ads. Otherwise, the only limits right now are, well, none. And as for people getting used to it, I highly doubt that. Ads are annoying to we IT guys, just as much as I think ads in the home will be annoying to the other people.

On another note about the laws, how would we go about getting someone to think about laws? Would we all just band together and send e-mail or snail mail to congress, or our respective Senators on the subject? Or do you think they would even listen to our rants about adware?

Check out my thread on the SPY Act. It has already begun.

But the question arises: Where do you draw the line? If you can limit advertising, how far do you limit it? When does it become a violation of free speech? Problem is, things aren't too simple. If I were dictat--erm, president--I would definately push for something though. ;)

Well, how about "homeland security"

My point about C4 and shrapnel meant that scanning for electonic devices wouldn't work for products where you expect to find them?..........if cereals and detergent are expected to, then you cannot have "homeland security"

OH.............for C4, read "semtex".............it doesn't smell of marzipan ;)

Cheers

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So there I was.....standing in the shower thinking about all things technological

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I usually get washed in the shower duder. seek help

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And so I'm playing Halo on my XBox, seconds away from finishing off the Covenant once and for all, and all of a sudden --

Pop up: "Click here for hot pron!"

CRAP!!!

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I see. If I were you I would consider that a blessing. Now you can beat it in front of your TV too as to distribute the stains throughout the house.

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I usually get washed in the shower duder. seek help

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Singings fun too. I think some people walk out dirtier than they walk in.

-Cheers-

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Originally posted here by AngelicKnight
....cell phone spyware/adware is equally possible *shudder*.....

So I'm getting Spybot on my next cell phone... [/B]

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In fact, Celular PPT here is ahead of you. I had started to receive spam thru SMS. Amazling that: most are from Celular Company ("buy this feature", "go to xxx Store and get a gift to upgrade your celular phone") and so on. Ive been told that you can buy a software from ppt to allow you send sms messages to any cellular (of that ppt) from your windows box. Figure out what a spammer can do with that....

Amazing. And you gotta wonder, what do they think they're accomplishing? I mean as an aside here, let me pose this question: Perhaps I'm naive, but how can these people really think they're going to sell us something by forcing annoying ads on us? Don't they realize we all growl and close out the ads soon as we see them now? Are there still that many idiots who go "Oh! How interesting!" when they get this crap? I suppose so if the problem perpetuates so, but it's hard to fathom people that idiotic...Same thing as telemarkters -- "Oh sure, keep calling me relentlessly. THAT'LL get me to buy your product!"

Are these guys actually seeing big returns from using this crap?

From AngelicKnight:
Are these guys actually seeing big returns from using this crap?

The returns are sufficient to maintain the current expansion of the campaigns.
They do not expect to hit 10 out of 10, they WILL get 10 out of a 1000, and that 1% is the reason for it all.

As for the comment: are there STILL that many idiots out there ?

The old saying still counts: There's one born every minute.

Heh heh, duely noted. ;)

Oh I can definitely see the advertising blitz coming where EVERYWHERE we look we are bombarded with ads. TV sitcoms are now getting paid for product placement and just about every event is being sponsored.

I trully expect that with the progress of technology in the non-computer world comes more ways for advertisers to _hit you_ with their ads. Take a look at E-Ink (http:///www.e-ink.com) - that coupled with new batteries which are on thin strips the thickness of film...bingo! Couple this with GPS devices getting smaller, location context will be added to the capabilities.

Now if I only could invent these things and make MILLIONS....but then I would be considered an adware propagator or facilitator :(

Existence of anti-spyware laws?
* Sure is, at least in US: the Utah Spyware Control Act (HB0323) - attached. And the senate and house is looking into this (US senate and US house that is). Angelicknight noted the SPI Act...
* Senate: introduced the Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge (SPYBLOCK) Act
* House: legislation that would require that consumers receive a conspicuous notice prior to downloading spyware. House bill 2929, dubbed "The Safeguard Against Privacy Invasion Act," or SPI Act

Wow. I never heard of that e-ink stuff. Thanks for the reply and neat link ric-o. And also for the laws. It actually makes me feel better to know the government may actually pass those laws. That would at least be one victory.