Why I hate adware/spyware?

I haven't updated this blog in a little while because there hasn't been any new activity to report on concerning the digitalpermanence project. Naturally, when things do start rolling along I will keep a steady stream of information flowing.

In the meantime, I little off-topic (OT) rant for this Friday afternoon - and the reasoning behind the title of this entry.

Why I hate adware and spyware!

I hate these little bits of software that download and install themselves without your consent and collect online surfing habits and take a system inventory (and God knows what else) because the companies and people behind them, in my opinion, are criminals. They are criminals because they steal hard disk space; they steal my time when I spend an hour or two purging my computer of their filth; and, for the most part, they steal my right to choose what software I want or don't want to install on my computer.

There was a time when you would encounter adware or spyware while visiting the more seedier side of the Web. All right, fine, we've all been there and done that. But now this adware scourge has infiltrated some respectable websites (which are no longer, in my mind, respectable). What's happening out there? I'm sick of wasting my time performing adware removal surgery on my computer. I have more important things to do.

Thank God for Ad-Aware and Spybot and the many other adware removal tools; without 'em we'd be up a creek without a paddle.

To sum up: Adware/Spyware and their creators are criminals!!

If we're to manage and preserve digital records for posterity, I hope we can send these junky programs including email spam to the dustbin of history.