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Spitfire_x86 used our news submit to tell us that not only has KaZaAA Lite come out with a new version, for a limited time, they offer a spyware scanner and Pop up stopper for free. This is quite interesting. I hope Sharman Networks is not upset with this new Fast Track competition. ZaZZeR dropped them a note....
Note to Sharman Networks: KaZaA Lite Plus does NOT contain source code from KaZaA Media Desktop. All code is open source and under the GPL (General Public License). The term "KaZaA" is not a current legal trademark USPTO as shown at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, therefore, KaZaA Lite Plus conforms to all legal aspects of copyright and trademark issues and will respond with legal tactics if threatened with legal recourse for the use of the "KaZaA" term. Send any correspondence to ZaZZeR.com Inc., you may also download the source code here.
Well, that should smooth things over nicely! I mean, sure the name is similar, but what's in a name?
*Update* Due to the reactions below and
the fact that I posted this story, I did a spyware experiment. I cleaned my
system with both Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware 6 with latest updates.
Then I set a restore point, then installed the program. I was greeted with no
less than 34 entries and two new folders! The worst piece was Virtual Bouncer -
extortion ware. From the Spyware-Guide website:
Danger Level: 4 [Explain] Official Description: Claims to be an adware remover.
Comment: It drive-by installs, phones home after install, gives itself the right (in the EULA) to download and install software from its servers, and you have to *pay them* for a "subscription" with a credit card to have it removed, then opt out of having the "subscription" automatically renewed.
Because you must pay to have to removed, some have dubbed this "extorion ware".
Cute. The
other nasty was Mindset Software, "FavoriteMan" they collect info and send it back to themselves including forms so you don't have to! Then they send you some targeted offers. How nice.
Fortunately, I was able to rid myself of these entries via Spybot, Adaware 6 and System Restore. But it was a hassle. Virtual Bouncer was in memory and had to be removed by Spybot on a reboot. Avoid this Kazaa from ZaZZer like the plauge. Thanks to the members reactions below and to Spitfire_x86, at least now we know this program is not recommended, so maybe we can stop anyone else from installing it. I apologize to anyone that put it on their machine. I thought it was legitimate. Apparently I was mistaken.
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Do not, I repeat, do not install it. It is loaded with spyware. I has a misfortune of deciding to try the new version and ad-aware detected 42 new pieces of garbage on my PC. Use KazaaLite Plus instead ...
Yea, DO NOT install this shit. It installs sooo much crap on your computer. The spyware and adware remover doesn't even work. You have to pay $30 to register it. After I installed the whole package, Zone Alarm keeps on asking me if I will give access to like 10 programs. The new P2P program is terrible anyway. STAY AWAY FROM THIS
Also, all the garbage this program installs on the computer is not removed when you uninstall Kazaa Lite Plus. You have to manually take it all off and then run your adware program.
Thanks guys for the heads up. I didn't know this was such a horrible piece of crap. I am sure Spitfire_x86 didn't either it looked like it was OK to me. [edited by Crabbyappleton on 10.05.2004 07:30]
Too much weirdness surrounding these guys and their "products". Now they have a VoIP toy - I wonder how long it will be before that infects users with malware.
No way would I touch any of their junk, lite or not.
Confidence in them is NOT an option.
The "source code" offered on that site is pretty much identical to the source tree of the SourceForge project "KCeasy", except most instances of "KCeasy" have been replaced with "Kazaa" and all of Markus Kern's (KCeasy's project maintainer) copyright notices have been stripped. --I'm not well versed in the GNU GPL but I'm pretty sure this is a no-no.
Although I have not tried either program, if you wanted to try out this "KaZaA Lite Plus", just go get KCeasy from http://www.kceasy.com/ and you'll probably be getting the same thing --except without the con job I'd assume.
All these sites:
kazaaliteplus.net - "KaZaA Lite Plus"
kazaalite.tv - Where KaZaa Lite K++ supposedly "can be found at"
filesharingforum.net - Very lame forum site
zazzer.com - ...
are registered by this same "zazzer.com" scum. (Who btw uses a yahoo.com email address --very unprofessional if for a legit company and should start ringing warning bells straight away.)
It's beyond me what tricking people into downloading a few spyware is going to profit this person/company.
Ironically, I didn't know what the difference between all these KaZaA Lite variants were before I came across that dodgy site featured in this article. (I've never used KaZaA.) Now I know only "KaZaA" and "KaZaA Lite K++ 2.43e" are legit and the rest are stupid scams. That's negative publicity in action.
sorry dudes, I didn't test the software before submitting. I did some basic experiment though, with ad-aware, updated with latest ref file
My experiments tell:-
the installs 7 spyware reg keys
the installer itself doesn't contain spyware apps, but it downloads them from web after copying files. if you have firewall installed, then it (installer) may ask you to access internet. If you let it pass through, then you'll end up with only few spyware reg keys and removing them will be much easier.
Anyway, the conclusion is: KaZaA Lite Plus 1.0 is another evil like KaZaA Media Desktop
typo correcetion:
read: the installer installs 7 spyware reg keys
read: If you don't let it pass through, then you'll end up with only few spyware reg keys and removing them will be much easier.
instead of: the installs 7 spyware reg keys
instead of: If you let it pass through, then you'll end up with only few spyware reg keys and removing them will be much easier.
Thanks guys for the heads up. I didn't know this was such a horrible piece of crap. I am sure Spitfire_x86 didn't either it looked like it was OK to me.
Happy Birthday to you terrycotter@aapt. 
deanimator just logged in, Good to see you back!