Conflicker is Too Bad

If I read this news earlier, I would know Conflicker is still active. Unfortunately, I was not cautious enough, so my computer got infected this weekend. Too bad. Good thing is I have everything backup regularly. No data loss!

A line between spyware and legitimate advertising-supported software

You should not assume that all software that contains advertising is spyware. Legitimate advertising-supported software may also show adverts on your computer, and in some cases even gather personal information about you, however the difference is that it is does this with your informed consent. The typical bargain with legitimate advertising-supported software goes like this: in return for you accepting advertising and some agreed collection of information about you, you get some useful software in return.

Spyware is different. Spyware gather at least some personal information about the user of the computer (hence the name SPYware). This usually includes information about your surfing habits, such as web sites visited, but in extreme cases has been known to include highly confidential information such as passwords - even passwords to Internet bank accounts!

Two Ad-Supported Software

Recently I downloaded two FTP tools. Like always, they are freeware. I like freeware better than shareware, especially for those small tools. I don't want pay $20 or $30 to buy. It is not worth of it. Different from other freeware, they are ad-supported software. If I do not need to pay, it is ok to see ads on software.

The first one is Speedbit Download Accelarator Plus 9.1. DAP GUI design is good. It is easy to use. The ads are shown in the right side. It will open browser if you click the ad. The thing I do not like is Speedbit DAP change IE browser home page to Speedbit search page during the installation. Additionally it also add Speedbit video download toolbar to IE browser. This is kind of bothering.

The second one is a GogoFTP. GogoFTP works like a file explorer. After connecting to the remote FTP server, The whole directory and files are shown for you to download or upload. Easy to use too. The ad is embeded in the right part of toolbar. Other than that, it does not change IE default page. It doesn't add toolbar to IE browser either. This is the thing I like. From the GUI, you can see GogoFTP advertising is powered by Younexus.

I went to www.younexus.com. Younexus provides clean and safe advertising solution for software application. Clean and safe advertsing means:

• It doesn't modify registry key database.
• It doesn't add BHOs or toolbar to browser.
• It doesn't automatically pop up window.
• It doesn't start or fork process.
• It doesn't collect browsing history or other personal information.

Althoug I don't like ads shown on software, comparing two ad-supported software, I like GogoFTP better. GogoFTP, powered by Younexus better, is quite.