Dishonest spyware link on cnet?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ECM
  • Start date Start date
E

ECM

Sorry for the crosspost, but I thought this was important.

I recently was searching for Spybot to download to a new computer; I
went to CNet and searched for "Spybot" in "windows". I came up with
the usual hits, but right at the top of the page there were several
"sponsored links" including one that said "SpyBot". I thought, "ok,
great! they've even gotten a sponsored link now!" and clicked.

To my surprise, wasn't taken to Spybot's web site, but to Enigma
Software's site - they have the "Spy Hunter" product, a piece of
crippleware (it scans, but doesn't fix) that has several bad false
positives that I think they use to scare the unwary into buying their
product.

I think that this is dishonest. They're using the name of a good
product - Spybot - to get traffic to their website; the unwary user's
going to download their crappy crippleware, thinking it's Spybot.

How much more are we going to have to put up with from dishonest
companies like this one? Is this the way it's going to be - a bunch of
snakeoil salesmen with bait-and-switch the norm? I'm disgusted by
this..... And doesn't CNet have any standards at all?

Nauseated,
ecm
 
In ECM posted:
Sorry for the crosspost, but I thought this was important.

I recently was searching for Spybot to download to a new computer; I
went to CNet and searched for "Spybot" in "windows". I came up with
the usual hits, but right at the top of the page there were several
"sponsored links" including one that said "SpyBot". I thought, "ok,
great! they've even gotten a sponsored link now!" and clicked.

To my surprise, wasn't taken to Spybot's web site, but to Enigma
Software's site - they have the "Spy Hunter" product, a piece of
crippleware (it scans, but doesn't fix) that has several bad false
positives that I think they use to scare the unwary into buying their
product.

I think that this is dishonest. They're using the name of a good
product - Spybot - to get traffic to their website; the unwary user's
going to download their crappy crippleware, thinking it's Spybot.

How much more are we going to have to put up with from dishonest
companies like this one? Is this the way it's going to be - a bunch of
snakeoil salesmen with bait-and-switch the norm? I'm disgusted by
this..... And doesn't CNet have any standards at all?

Nauseated,
ecm
Click to expand...

"Important"! "To your surprise", oh gimmee a f-in break already!
Is the word "spybot" either © or T ?
Key in "playboy" into Google and see what Sponsored Links you get.
Are they all Playboy, Inc.; does that make Google dishonest?

If you are too stupid to understand how and why "sponsored links" are
used as a marketing/advertising medium on the internet, they out to
take away your keyboard for life!

DanlK, FYI Services
www.FYIS.org
Visit our Commemorative Collectible www.FYIS.org/estore!
____________________________________________
Don't forget to put this html code on your web page:
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript
src="http://www.georgewbush.com/WStuff/BPForm.aspx">
</SCRIPT>
 
ECM typed:
Sorry for the crosspost, but I thought this was important.

I recently was searching for Spybot to download to a new computer; I
went to CNet and searched for "Spybot" in "windows". I came up with
the usual hits, but right at the top of the page there were several
"sponsored links" including one that said "SpyBot". I thought, "ok,
great! they've even gotten a sponsored link now!" and clicked.

To my surprise, wasn't taken to Spybot's web site, but to Enigma
Software's site - they have the "Spy Hunter" product, a piece of
crippleware (it scans, but doesn't fix) that has several bad false
positives that I think they use to scare the unwary into buying their
product.

I think that this is dishonest. They're using the name of a good
product - Spybot - to get traffic to their website; the unwary user's
going to download their crappy crippleware, thinking it's Spybot.

How much more are we going to have to put up with from dishonest
companies like this one? Is this the way it's going to be - a bunch of
snakeoil salesmen with bait-and-switch the norm? I'm disgusted by
this..... And doesn't CNet have any standards at all?

Nauseated,
ecm
Click to expand...

"Big fake warning"
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=news
 
In CalamityKen posted:
ECM typed:

"Big fake warning"
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=news
Click to expand...

Nowhere do I find there is any use of "TM" or "trademark" anywhere
referenced to the word 'spybot' on the Spybot-S&D site, despite the
protestations at
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=news&detail=2003-06-28

DanlK, FYI Services
www.FYIS.org
Visit our Commemorative Collectible www.FYIS.org/estore!
____________________________________________
Don't forget to put this html code on your web page:
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript
src="http://www.georgewbush.com/WStuff/BPForm.aspx">
</SCRIPT>
 
FYIS.org/estore said:
In
"Important"! "To your surprise", oh gimmee a f-in break already!
Is the word "spybot" either © or T ?
Key in "playboy" into Google and see what Sponsored Links you get.
Are they all Playboy, Inc.; does that make Google dishonest?

If you are too stupid to understand how and why "sponsored links" are
used as a marketing/advertising medium on the internet, they out to
take away your keyboard for life!

DanlK, FYI Services
www.FYIS.org
Visit our Commemorative Collectible www.FYIS.org/estore!
Click to expand...

Hmmmm..... speaking of snakeoil salesmen.....
 
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