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Kazaa labeled top spyware threat

Written by James Delahunty @ 26 Nov 2004 10:40 User comments (16)

Kazaa labeled top spyware threat

One of the worlds most used P2P applications, Kazaa has been named as the number 1 spyware threat by Computer Associates International. To date, Kazaa has been downloaded a whopping 214 million times. CA's PestPatrol research came to this conclusion while assessing how programs slow down a machine by adding unnecessary registry entries and directories. However, CA does admit that labeling Kazaa as spyware in the first place is a bit complicated. "Kazaa does something useful," said Simon Perry, vice president of security strategy for CA. "I'm not going to say that it doesn't. But turn that around--you're allowing millions of strangers onto your machine. (Kazaa) is No. 1 because of the amount if copies it's got out there."
CA also warned about similar P2P networks including WinMX and Blubster because of software that they have bundled with them. Adware program Ezula came second in the company's top five, beating Adopt.hotbar.com and GameSpy Arcade. Perry said that some programs that have been labeled pests have been given that name because it is not yet clear to the computer world what exactly spyware is. It seems every different anti-spyware program you download has differences in what it classes as spyware. Kazaa coming somewhere in the list was not a surprise but many could argue that it didn't deserve the #1 spot. You can download clean versions of Kazaa called Kazaa Lite (Resurrection) and Diet Kazaa.



Source:
News.com

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16 user comments

126.11.2004 14:48
pcshateme
Inactive

thats why only fools use regular kazaa

226.11.2004 18:51

They ain't even fool enough to be a fool. n_n

327.11.2004 15:30

kazaa is bad. k-lite is bad. bit torrent is the best around.

427.11.2004 16:07

There is no "Best" P2P, but, KaZaA is bad, it is cramed with spyware (like the article says) get KLR (KaZaA Lite Resurrection) if you use KaZaA.

527.11.2004 16:23
llongtheD
Inactive

Newsgroups, and a good newsreader are the only way to go for me, I still use bittorrent once in a while though.

627.11.2004 18:39

IRC is by FAR the best way to go

727.11.2004 18:48

IRC = Newest Files @ Fastest Speeds (waits required) KLR = Music (when bundled with MP3 Shield and Protowall) eMule Plus = odd files (at least for me). BT = little bit of everything.

827.11.2004 18:55

sounds like a well rounded group to make everyone happy!

929.11.2004 04:06

P2P has been going downhill for a long time now, no suprises here.

1029.11.2004 05:06

mIRC all the way.

1129.11.2004 11:27

Hehe, not really, unless you like waiting in queues.

1229.11.2004 11:53

I still wish I knew how to use IRC for downloading. I can't seem to find anything out...

1329.11.2004 12:14

go here to get it to work on XP: http://www.newircusers.com/xp.html there are tons of tutorials on the web, just Google the term "Configure IRC"

1429.11.2004 13:09

Toiletman: True, you have to wait in ques for some busy files, but the majority of the ones I find don't require any wait. Besides, even with the ques, P2P doesn't compare to IRC as far as amount and variety of files, from apps to games to music...just about everything.

1529.11.2004 14:59

Thanks for the link, Pop_Smith, but the screenshots it has do not accurately reflect what I am seeing in my mIRC DCC Options window. The box that should say "DCC Ports" is not there and two checkboxes with "Flush Files" and "Show Warning" along with a "Max. Sends:" space are there instead. Should I be using an older version?

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