M S Adds Spyware To Firefox

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Prove it slows it down, becuase the thing doesn't even run until you run a clickonce application... your source doesn't even say it slows down firefox.. and not to sound stupid, but um when I go into firefox its asking me if I WANT to install it... its giving it to me as a choice... it's not even installed for me and I have the latest .NET 3.5 SP1 and its patches also... that's what I am getting at least,but i installed firefox after the .net patches

I installed the DOT NET 3.5 SP1 after I had Firefox installed. I have been using Firefox since it was called Phoenix. I use Myway as a home page and it gives you the time it takes to load the page from starting Firefox. With that plugin the time was 0.69 seconds. With it remove it is 0.30 seconds. So you can see that Myway loads in less than one half the time without the plugin. Now the speed issue is not what bothers me, it is the fact that MS can and will install anything without the user even knowing about it. During the install there should be a warning from MS that this will add a plugin to Firfox or any other Browser that you use.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Blah blah blah. It's helpful - useful. If you don't "understant it" as you claim - then you had the ability to click cancel.

The point being made that it's not very communicative as to it's pupose, is a valid point - but you have obscured that point by using a provocative headline and a BS article...

And it would not slow down the browser when not used.

Basically, you're spouting crap you don't understand. Been pulled up on it. And then called everyone "fanboys". Well done!

[Argote]

Spam Much?

No, it's just that your claims are completely unfounded and, frankly, make you lose credibility on a tech forum. So what if .NET installed an extension designed to enhance your web experience? As other have said, this extension will be called whenever it is actually needed.

[Kyang]

not to deviate off track here, but Gary, what xp theme is that? I love the blue.

It's a Windows Embedded theme. I'm using it on my XP box and I really like it. It's also signed by MS too, so there's nothing to modify if you want to use it. :D .

Here's a link to the page which describes it:

http://www.ghacks.net/2008/10/09/another-s...-theme-emerges/

The download link is on that page as well.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

it does nothing with the browser until the click once protocol is called... I'd love to see where you are getting this it slows down the browser from

if you really want rid of the thing, which is part of windows now to start with.....

Open Regedit (Start > Run > ?regedit?)

Goto ?HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions?

(or ?HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions? for 64-bit versions of Windows

You?ll see ?{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}?. Right click it and click Delete.

Restart Firefox.

That is what I did.

It's a Windows Embedded theme. I'm using it on my XP box and I really like it. It's also signed by MS too, so there's nothing to modify if you want to use it. biggrin.gif .

I don't know, you will have to ask the Source. I use Vista and Win 7.

[Kyang]

I don't know, you will have to ask the Source. I use Vista and Win 7.

I don't understand what you're referring to. I was replying to the other person who asked what theme was shown in your original post.

[Athernar]

Oh please, Spyware? Malware? Don't be so absurd.

Next thing you'll be telling us Tracking Cookies are malware... Oh wait.

The only slight issue I see here is the Uninstall button being unavailiable, and while they should fix it, it's obviously not impossible to remove it as you have demonstrated.

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

you must have forgotten the part where MS can install anything they want to your windows machine, at any time, for any reason, without your consent.

all software/computers have that clause

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Oh please, Spyware? Malware? Don't be so absurd.

Next thing you'll be telling us Tracking Cookies are malware... Oh wait.

The only slight issue I see here is the Uninstall button being unavailiable, and while they should fix it, it's obviously not impossible to remove it as you have demonstrated.

Take it up with the source, I only posted this as an aid in case someone wanted to remove it. I did not call it spyware, the source did. I only used his wording. Whatever it is , it is not right!

[Mike]

Yes but it advised you that it was doing so. This plugin in not necessary in Firefox.

@Mike

<snip>

congrats on proving yourself wrong. Does it transmit information back? No, so it's not spyware. Not having an idea what it does doesn't make it spyware.

[sharp65]

Yea..no.

[dwhall]

Guess this makes Totem malware too :|

Linux just got hit... ARGHHHH!!!!!!!

[CentralDogma]

This installed on my mobile firefox. So, it's not so much microsoft detecting and installing this in firefox, so much as firefox detecting what installed on windows and conforming appropriately.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

Microsoft adds a registry key, Firefox picks it up and uses it.

Should I be annoyed at MS for adding features or at Firefox for taking advantage of them?

[Eric Veteran]

Microsoft adds a registry key, Firefox picks it up and uses it.

Should I be annoyed at MS for adding features or at Firefox for taking advantage of them?

Um... Yes? :)

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Microsoft adds a registry key, Firefox picks it up and uses it.

Should I be annoyed at MS for adding features or at Firefox for taking advantage of them?

If the installation of Firefox changed IE would MS be annoyed? Why does everything in this forum turn into an argument. Try to help and all I get is grief. This was posted in other forums and the results were of thanks and not the kind of BS that is here. But I degress this is Neowin.

[dead.cell]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... doesn't AVG install a plugin for Firefox? I'm not exactly sure if you can choose to install it or not, but I'm positive that you can't uninstall it from Firefox once it's in, unless you uninstall AVG.

I really don't care though as I just disable it...

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... doesn't AVG install a plugin for Firefox? I'm not exactly sure if you can choose to install it or not, but I'm positive that you can't uninstall it from Firefox once it's in, unless you uninstall AVG.

I really don't care though as I just disable it...

I would not know as I do not run AVG.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

If the installation of Firefox changed IE would MS be annoyed?

...

Of course not, why would they?

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Of course not, why would they?

Read their EULA.

[techbeck]

This is not spyware. if you dont like it, the disable it. its really easy.

[b0m8er]

Wow! Talk about being paranoid...

[hjf288]

If the installation of Firefox changed IE would MS be annoyed? Why does everything in this forum turn into an argument. Try to help and all I get is grief. This was posted in other forums and the results were of thanks and not the kind of BS that is here. But I degress this is Neowin.

Because people here understand you read and misunderstood something and then posting it thus spreading FUD..

Good grief why should Firefox users get the benefits of using .NET if they are using Windows?

Leave them out and hear the screams of WTF WHY IE ONLY?

Oh and I'm pretty sure Microsofts "Latest piece of spyware" will send your lunch habits back to Microsoft...

You should be scared!

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Because people here understand you read and misunderstood something and then posting it thus spreading FUD..

Good grief why should Firefox users get the benefits of using .NET if they are using Windows?

Leave them out and hear the screams of WTF WHY IE ONLY?

Oh and I'm pretty sure Microsofts "Latest piece of spyware" will send your lunch habits back to Microsoft...

You should be scared!

It is FUD because you say it is FUD? No software from any company should install anything on a users computer without their knowledge.

[+shift. MVC]

Wow! Talk about being paranoid...

I'm going to be somewhat of a devil's advocate here and say that it's not being paranoid, but rather "outrage" against MS installing an Add On without permission from the user.

Edited February 9, 2009 by shift.