OT: SPYWARE/TROJAN and Off Topic!

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
No, tracking cookies are not the only thing: The program appears to call home (according to Gandalf, that's an Illwinter server), on a nonstandard port, and sends unknown data. Normal Spyware/Adware removal programs won't detect this behavior, since it occurs inside of a normal (and new) program.

Not all programs that contact the home site are automatically considered spyware so you dont even know if it will EVER be included in the spyware-killer programs list. Nor do you know what data is being sent. So saying "with all of the information about your computer" as you did in another post is abit inflammatory. If its only the CD registration key then its not that uncommon.

However, I have no idea why this program would suddenly phone home in a change not mentioned in the patch update, so I can only assume that it is no good. Otherwise, they would have told us about it.

???? Since when have they ever told us the measures used in pirate protection. And who ever has for that matter.

If its information gathering such as getting a feel for what mods and maps are popular then Id expect them to have made it voluntary but if its pirate protection then I wouldnt expect it be to voluntary.

[Kristoffer O]

Gandalf is right. It's a multiplayer CD-key check. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Nor do you know what data is being sent. So saying "with all of the information about your computer" as you did in another post is abit inflammatory.

When in doubt, it's always the worst case scenario. This rule has kept me alive over the years where those who haven't have died because of misunderestimation. I'm not about to give it up now, and I suggest you take it up. When it comes to these things, if the capability to do it exists, it's already been done. I'd hardly believe Illwinter is stupid and doesn't realize the power of this, so it's safe to figure that they know.

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Gandalf is right. It's a multiplayer CD-key check. Nothing more, nothing less.

That's merely what you'd LIKE us to believe. You don't really think I'm that gullible, do you? No, I think there's something you're not telling us. Of course, you're not GOING to, since it's your little precious secret, but I'm going to rout it into /dev/null anyway. ET doesn't phone home on my watch.

[johan osterman]

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Nor do you know what data is being sent. So saying "with all of the information about your computer" as you did in another post is abit inflammatory.

When in doubt, it's always the worst case scenario. This rule has kept me alive over the years where those who haven't have died because of misunderestimation. I'm not about to give it up now, and I suggest you take it up. When it comes to these things, if the capability to do it exists, it's already been done. I'd hardly believe Illwinter is stupid and doesn't realize the power of this, so it's safe to figure that they know.

---

There are many things in life in which we are not interested, one of the things we are least interested in of all are your computer habits, barring your possible use of cracked copies of dom 2.

[johan osterman]

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Gandalf is right. It's a multiplayer CD-key check. Nothing more, nothing less.

That's merely what you'd LIKE us to believe. You don't really think I'm that gullible, do you? No, I think there's something you're not telling us. Of course, you're not GOING to, since it's your little precious secret, but I'm going to rout it into /dev/null anyway. ET doesn't phone home on my watch.

---

We have regular lives, stalking and spying on you is not something we are remotely interested in. Other games like Kohan and various blizzard games have similar measures.

[JaydedOne]

This rule has kept me alive over the years where those who haven't have died because of misunderestimation.

Misunderestimation? Doesn't that take it right back to a correct estimation or perhaps an accidental overestimation?

That word. I do not think it means what you think it means. (I don't even think it exists, to be honest, but hey.)

*shrug* Somehow, giving IW this sort of access doesn't exactly have me shaking at the knees. And, really, would an easily notable phone-home be their best route if they wanted to wreak havoc on your system? I mean, as it is, you're giving them a great deal of access just by installing the patches.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Gandalf is right. It's a multiplayer CD-key check. Nothing more, nothing less.

That's merely what you'd LIKE us to believe. You don't really think I'm that gullible, do you? No, I think there's something you're not telling us. Of course, you're not GOING to, since it's your little precious secret, but I'm going to rout it into /dev/null anyway. ET doesn't phone home on my watch.

---

So check the packet size. It shouldnt be hard to tell if its sending more than a key or more often than it needs to.

As far as blocking all programs contacting outward from your machine thats rather what I would have expected of you and various others here. I also tend to do more sniffing of my network traffic than most. But I dont think the average user is going to have a problem with just one more piracy protection. (and an effort to generate a coup would probably need to be in a newsgroup or something now that the answer has been given.)

[ April 07, 2004, 17:52: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[En Forcer]

Well, I guess I'm okay with the protection program as long as it doesn't corrupt my porn files!

[PrinzMegaherz]

What bothers me though is the timing.

Dominions 2 is selling well.

And I might be a bit naive, but IMHO people who are capable to appreciate this game don't use cracks because they don't want to hurt Illwinter.

[ April 07, 2004, 20:18: Message edited by: PrinzMegaherz ]