CNET Forcing P2P Network on Users
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http://exploitsystems.myikonboard.com/viewthread.php?postid=177 Download.com is trojan-horsing Kontiki
An Exploit Systems Exclusive Report
CNET Download.com, one of the most heavily-trafficked sites on the net and a central source for P2P file sharing software has begun sneaking the Kontiki P2P network onto downloaders' hard drives.
In a move reminiscent of the Altnet fiasco, users who download certain applications are required to first install the "CNET Download Manager." We discovered this when downloading the Nero CD burning software.
Turns out the CNET Download Manager is actually the Kontiki P2P client application. Once the CNET/Kontiki application is installed it runs continuously in the background and launches automatically every time you start up. It attaches your computer to the Kontiki network and makes your hard drive and bandwidth available to CNET and Kontiki for the purpose of distributing their software offerings.
On the one hand it makes sense for CNET to turn to a P2P solution for distributing popular applications - it saves CNET bandwidth and money. On the other hand CNET could do a better job of explaining to users exactly what they're agreeing to when taking this "Download Manager" application.
It might also behoove CNET to offer people a choice; forcing users to accept unwanted software (which will later be un-installed) in order to get a desired piece of software seems rather thuggish and intrusive.
In an age when ISPs are capping upstream bandwidth, allowing a company like CNET or Kontiki to use your upload capacity could put you over the byte limit and cost you extra money - or cause the loss of your broadband account.
from SpywareInfo.com
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Topic: OT-CNET Forcing P2P Network on Users (Read 1093 times)