Bacardi

from some other forum:

a new service called "Adobe LM Service" seems to be Macrovision SafeCast spyware.

This spyware cannot be disabled. When the startup type in WinXP
or Windows 2000 is set to "disabled", SafeCast re-enables itself the next time Photoshop is started.

Each time Photoshop is started, SafeCast takes an inventory of
the machine it's installed on, and will refuse to load the application
if it decides too much has changed. The copy protection appears
to be analogous to that found in Windows XP:

The most frightening part of SafeCast is that the licensing terms
can be changed AFTER THE PRODUCT IS PURCHASED.
So, for example, if Abobe decides to make Photoshop a
pay-per-use application and customers do not agree to these
terms, Adobe can remotely pull the plug on these customer.

Chester

four solutions for this;

a. dont buy the product
b. buy the product and disable it with...
c. dont buy it but still use it...
d. ignore it

Rick

Erik; that is indeed a frightening concept - have you any backup for this information?

If it is true I think there will be a lot of PSP customers on the market soon

lilwicked805

All the more reason to stay where I am. You purchase their product in good faith and they feel the need to track you, your system setup, etc. Big Brother needs an attitude adjustment. [upset]

stOrM!

Huh?

I wonder, I couldn't find it on my system (I run some spyware checker it doesn't noticed the mentioned spyware here)

I'm in luck?

Well on the other hand, in my opinion, I would stay with PS7 cause the things which changed in PS8 wouldn't make me buy it nor use it...

regards
s!

Chester

its not just a problem of adobe.

lets be honest, when it comes to security, computer and the internet are still tools from the 19th century.

get used to it. everybody complained about the WinXP activation but now the majority is using XP. for those who're saying that they dont buy photoshop cs because of this... well, then get used to the fact that you wont buy photoshop at all, for a long time...

and then you can say... "ill buy something else"... doesn't work either...its a trend...microsoft, macromedia, adobe...most will follow

same on the internet... in the beginning everything was free... look at it now. some brainless people who read too many fairy tales even believe that linux application will always be free even when 90% of the world is using Linux...
welcome to the real world!

and btw, for those who refuse to use Photoshop CS... i guess then you also have to stop using Photoshop 7; it contains spyware too --> aom.* files in Crogram Files/Common Files/AdobeWeb [innocent]

Tracy

Hi, I found that file with an exe extension. I think the main problem I have with spyware other than the obvious is the system drain. These companies do have some leg to stand on in terms of protecting their software from piracy, Auto FX, for example, phones home inevitably and if there are 2 identical serial numbers running at the same time both programs are somehow disabled.

Sorry I have been scarce for about a year, got some writing jobs so not much time for leisure!

lilwicked805

I have one offer of freedom....Zonealarm. This along with a very well maintained firewall keeps all the nosey people out and the nosey programs in check.

As for following the crowd...I have never been one to do that. I have more than enough tools to move forward in my trade. If something comes out that has services I NEED then I shall research it. Until then I am most happy where I am. Too many companies have become rich because the masses follow with no question. Spyware, it's everywhere, just a fact of life.

Bacardi

You can safely change Adobe Online Manager's extension into something like axa, and it won't change anything in Photoshop.

ZoneAlarm is ok, as are other software firewalls, but they run inside Windows, so how are they going to control that?
A hardware firewall is best, but for most users too complicated.

Besides: Quicktime also "needs a plugin" and wants to take you to Apple's homepage for nothing. Don't allow, and the movie will nearly always play.

There is a difference between spyware (that wants to know your preferences for commercial reasons) and these security thingies.

So best is to have a comp to connect to the net, and another one to work on.
If you're paranoid, that is.

btw: ever went to www.grc.com ? There is a page that shows the info your browser is showing to veryone who can read it.
Not difficult to know where someone is from when you know the IP adress...

Chester

no firewall is perfect. the only perfect firewall is removing your connection to the outside world
most people dont follow a crowd, they are considered by others to 'follow' a crowd, that's something different

you cant say that the majority of windows users are just brainless followers. please give the majority some credit will ya

this is not the year 1980 when most of us were still computer illiterate.