Former Netscape head Jim Barksdale, one of the central figures in the Justice Department's 1998 antitrust trial against Microsoft, says he'd rather not use Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, but he has no choice.
"Even though I have preferred the Netscape Navigator (browser), for good reason I hope, to be my default browser, there are occasions when I go to the Web and I get this Internet Explorer," Barksdale said. "I don't want it on my machine, I really don't. But I can't get rid of it."
His comments, made in a court deposition connected with an effort by nine state attorneys general to impose harsh penalties on Microsoft for hurting consumer choice, were released Thursday after The Associated Press and other groups took legal action to gain access.
One of the states' proposed penalties, vehemently opposed by Microsoft, would force the company to offer a "modular" version of Windows so computer makers and users could remove extra features like the Web browser and instant messaging software.
The states hope that that would give other makers of browsers, messaging programs and other products a chance to gain more market share and provide more options to users.
Barksdale's comments and other Microsoft critics say the company unfairly "commingles" its flagship Windows operating system with other programs to shut out competitors.
News source: CBS MarketWatch
"Even though I have preferred the Netscape Navigator (browser), for good reason I hope, to be my default browser, there are occasions when I go to the Web and I get this Internet Explorer," Barksdale said. "I don't want it on my machine, I really don't. But I can't get rid of it."
His comments, made in a court deposition connected with an effort by nine state attorneys general to impose harsh penalties on Microsoft for hurting consumer choice, were released Thursday after The Associated Press and other groups took legal action to gain access.
One of the states' proposed penalties, vehemently opposed by Microsoft, would force the company to offer a "modular" version of Windows so computer makers and users could remove extra features like the Web browser and instant messaging software.
The states hope that that would give other makers of browsers, messaging programs and other products a chance to gain more market share and provide more options to users.
Barksdale's comments and other Microsoft critics say the company unfairly "commingles" its flagship Windows operating system with other programs to shut out competitors.
News source: CBS MarketWatch
To test the software's claims, TechTV Labs installed a recently released key-logging app, WinWhatWhere Investigator 4, an alarmingly solid performer that provides myriad ways to monitor and record keystroke activity. In our test, Anti-keylogger was able to ferret out the software, which was buried in an obscure file location.
When the software detects a key logger, you'll get the path name for the file and a frightening message:
"Anti-keylogger has detected unauthorized keystroke monitoring programs running on your system. All your passwords, credit card details, and confidential documents (as they are typed) are probably saved in the Log."
In one scan, the program listed a common .dat file (a Windows file that contains user information) as a key logger. The application was technically correct, but you might not want to delete the file. According to a company spokesman, the software uses mathematical calculations to determine the location of a key logger, though when asked precisely how it works he declined to elaborate further, alluding to trade secrets.
There are some un-install issues associated with the application, plus more importantly, the software doesn't offer much beyond detecting and removing key loggers. It doesn't, for instance, leave the offending program on your computer at the same time that it disables its features. The only option is to delete it, a function that's available only to registered users.
Additionally, another drawback is that the software only works with Windows 95/98/Me. Windows NT and NT-based operating systems like Windows 2000 and Windows XP won't be able to use the software.
Meanwhile, a cheaper alternative, Anti-Keylogger 2002 from Centurian Software, is scheduled for release soon.
Conclusions: Anti-Keylogger 1.12 hunts down key logging software so that you can delete it from your computer. Aside from its being a one-trick pony, it's expensive and at times brings back results for software that you might not want to delete.
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