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Thread: DELL + spyware

  1. #1
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    DELL + spyware

    I've noticed recently that many new DELL computers are coming preloaded with spyware/adware. I'm in 5-6 homes a day and I see just about everything you can think of when it comes to home computers. Good and bad. What happens is when I launch IE and type in the web address I want to go to in the addres bar I get hijacked and taked to a third party search results page. just wanted to let you know how DELL is supplementing their income. The bad part is so many user are so clueless.

  2. #2
    Senior Member nihil's Avatar
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    Hi jabrown

    I find what you are saying hard to believe, as Dell have consistently claimed that spyware/adware is the major reason for their helpdesk calls, so it is costing them money.

    I know they had problems with some of their affiliates using it, but I thought they had fired them.

    I would put it down to user ignorance rather than any policy on the part of Dell. And users will never admit to having done anything, as I am sure you know


  3. #3
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    The default builds of these machines make them very prone to Spyware/AdWare/hijackers almost as soon as they become live on the net.

    Our timing gives them 3-5 minutes to be infected by at least 3-5 'nasties'

  4. #4
    Macht Nicht Aus moxnix's Avatar
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    Your Computer ~~ Your Responsibility

    Responsibility ~ Yes, you're responsible.

    You are sitting at your computer, surfing the web, when your computer declares “You have a VIRUS”. Suddenly twenty to thirty pop ups appear, and your 'Homepage' is reset to 'Mikes Porn Site'.

    Of course, you immediately start cussing the skiddie ~ the malware author ~ or the advertiser that dumped fornicating horse pucky on you. But who is ultimately responsible ------- YOU ARE OF COURSE!

    You didn't protect your self, enough. You have endangered your computer, your identity, and your money. You have thrown a couple of hundred on the bar of a busy bistro, yelled for a drink, and then left to visit the bathroom -- expecting you money to remain where you left it.

    If you are a part of a network, you have also endangered everyone else on it, and even the network its self. The same as if you handed a precocious 10 year old a loaded weapon and then left him alone.

    You are responsible for all your actions, and inactions. You are responsible to update virus and malware definitions, for updating and configuring your firewall, for installing the latest patches for your operating system. You are responsible for me being out of beer ~~ well ok, that is going a little far (unless you slipping in to my house and nipping a bottle or three).

    A little background.

    In the last few months (some of you 'might' have noticed my absence) I have been restructuring my life, and doing quite a bit of malware cleanup on various computers, networks, and systems(?) that were trashed by users who assume that MSN, AOL, Dell, and anyone (or everyone) other than themselves are responsible for protecting them. They not only want their cake, and to eat it also......but also some one to spoon feed them too.

    Now I realize that I'm preaching to the choir, but perhaps one or two of you might suddenly remember to update those definitions you forgot last week, and save all of us a possible headache next week.

    moxnix
    \"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!\"
    Author Unknown

  5. #5
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    Actualy I have read recently that dell have been accused of this. Dell of course strongly denigh it. However I have had to install a few dell systems recently and there are a couple of things that they have introduced.

    First Dell used to supply a full copy of the Win OS on cd. Now you get a piece of paper with instructions to recover the OS, via an short cut on the desktop.

    Secondly, they have started selling there own brand printers, these come with software that moniters ink levels and can auto purchase resupplies. In the same way as Lexmark printers do, some people regard this software as spyware.

    Thirdly, they have bundled some support software, not the old Dell help app. This new software appears to be more invasive than what there was before. I have not had a good look at this new app, that is just my impression.
    What happens if a big asteroid hits the Earth? Judging from realistic simulations involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it will be pretty bad. - Dave Barry

  6. #6
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    Now you get a piece of paper with instructions to recover the OS, via an short cut on the desktop.
    Didn't Packard Bell used to (still do?) that? With restore information on a disk partition just so you are nicely screwed if your HD pops out of warranty.

    Thirdly, they have bundled some support software, not the old Dell help app. This new software appears to be more invasive than what there was before. I have not had a good look at this new app, that is just my impression.
    Anything like the 'Big Fix ' software Evesham supply? The evesham stuff used to work quite well for some of the domers who had bought new pcs. Been a few years since I've sen it though.

  7. #7
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    Didn't Packard Bell used to (still do?) that? With restore information on a disk partition just so you are nicely screwed if your HD pops out of warranty.
    Yep, basicaly any system purchased at stores like PCWorld etc. One of the reasons I brought up the change with Dell, it was one of the points I thought went in favour of Dell, having the OS on CD. I believe PCworld will supply a full OS but you have to pay extra.


    I'm not sure about the Big Fix app..........................The old help and support app was not to bad only connected to the net when opened and gave some good info. The new one is always on and connected, but like I said I have not had th opurtunity to have a good look at it. My impression is It is like the AOHELL support/monitering/maintainance crap bundled with there latest software.
    What happens if a big asteroid hits the Earth? Judging from realistic simulations involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it will be pretty bad. - Dave Barry

  8. #8
    THE Bastard Sys***** dinowuff's Avatar
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    Now you get a piece of paper with instructions to recover the OS, via an short cut on the desktop.
    Everyone is doing this now. HP Compaq, Dell, Gateway. But only Microsoft OEM stuff. Ask for linux installed and you get the media. The Dell servers still come with the M$ media.

    /me thinks its M$ trying to prevent software piracy


    I haven't noticed any strange issues or spyware, but then again I re image all pc's upon arrival.
    09:F9:11:02:9D:74:E3:5B8:41:56:C5:63:56:88:C0

  9. #9
    Senior Member kr5kernel's Avatar
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    How many more people are going to get turned away from microsoft with their "valid windows authentication". All of my windows licenses are legit, but will a person with a hacked copy of xp still be able to receive updates if their copy is proven invalid?

    Also I have had more complaint about the dell support pop-up that freaks people out. That woudl be about the closest thing to spyware I have seen on a dell build. The support pop-up is like the dell version of automatic updates for xp, just more annoying. It freaks people out when they see "dell is getting your information, and is going to broadcast it to dell to see what other software you have that could need updating". yikes!
    kr5kernel
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    Linux: Making Penguins Cool Since 1994.

  10. #10
    Macht Nicht Aus moxnix's Avatar
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    Originally posted here by kr5kernel

    Also I have had more complaint about the dell support pop-up that freaks people out. That woudl be about the closest thing to spyware I have seen on a dell build. The support pop-up is like the dell version of automatic updates for xp, just more annoying. It freaks people out when they see "dell is getting your information, and is going to broadcast it to dell to see what other software you have that could need updating". yikes!
    Just go to ad/remove programs in your control panel and take the Dell support out. It comes out completely, with no problem.
    \"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!\"
    Author Unknown

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