| It just amazes me how there are companies out there, | | | | to choose to remove it is a violation of your rights. |
| claiming to be legitimate businesses, who are | | | | Our elected officials don't know how to surf the web |
| distributing what can only be known as spyware, | | | | for the most part, let alone actually understand what |
| adware, malware, badware, and viruses. These | | | | the definition of a virus is and how to legislate against |
| companies get away with it due to obscure clauses | | | | spyware and malware. Software companies who |
| and legal double-speak in their terms of agreements, if | | | | write legitimate programs lobby them to make sure |
| they bother to have one at all. | | | | they do not pass any laws that regulate the sale of |
| Some websites will download unwanted spyware and | | | | software. |
| badware on your computer without any consent from | | | | Example: Name any other product or service where |
| you at all. They claim that all of this information | | | | you must pay up front for it before you even see the |
| gathering has a legitimate purpose and that people are | | | | contract you must sign and agree to before you can |
| over-reacting. | | | | use it? |
| Some people do not know what a virus is. It is simply a | | | | Not only that, but large corporations support the use of |
| program. Just like any other program you download | | | | malware, adware, spyware, badware, and viruses that |
| and use everyday. It must be installed onto your | | | | gather information from users without their knowledge. |
| computer. The difference between a virus and a | | | | They in turn buy that information to build their own |
| legitimate program lies in the purpose for which it was | | | | consumer databases and use that information to sell |
| created. | | | | you products. They pay to know what your habits are. |
| A legitimate program was created to help you | | | | As long as they are willing to pay for that information, |
| perform a task. A virus was created to harm your | | | | companies like GAIN will continue to steal it from user's |
| computer or steal information from you. The other | | | | and sell it to these companies. |
| difference is the first one is legal, the latter is not. | | | | If you want to know how many programs on your |
| A virus is legitimately defined as an executable | | | | computer are gathering information about you, you will |
| program, however, any script or macro should be | | | | need to get some type of spyware detection |
| included in that definition in my opinion. If they are | | | | software. There are several available, however, be |
| written with the intent of causing harm to a user's | | | | careful, some of those advertising the removal of |
| computer or they are written and installed on a user's | | | | spyware are actually installing it on your computer |
| computer in order to gather information on that user, | | | | themselves. Make sure you do a search in your |
| then they are no better and no different than a virus, | | | | favorite search engine to find out about the brand of |
| and should fall under the same laws that apply to | | | | software you are thinking of downloading. |
| viruses. | | | | If your computer is infected with Gator or GAIN, you |
| If these programs like GAIN, Gator, and WinFixer are | | | | may have to use anti-virus software to remove it. |
| so legitimate, why are the techniques they use to install | | | | Many of the anti-virus companies have removal |
| it on a user's computer so sly? Why are they using | | | | instructions on their website. If GAIN were a legitimate |
| these sneaky tactics, such as downloading it onto | | | | company and legitimate software, it's highly doubtful it |
| someone's computer without disclosing what it actually | | | | would have to be removed by an anti-virus program. |
| is to the user in a clear manner? | | | | I hope this article has been helpful to you. GAIN, |
| Why do they write their malware, badware, and | | | | WinFixer, and other programs that act in this unethical |
| adware in such a way as to have it resist your efforts | | | | manner should be considered viruses and held |
| to remove it from your computer? Your computer is | | | | accountable for the harm they do to your computer |
| something you bought and paid for. You have the right | | | | and liable for the time it takes to remove them. That's |
| to decide what will be installed on your computer. | | | | my opinion. |
| Anyone who writes a program that resists your ability | | | | |