I am supposed to be finishing up some things in preparation for our anniversary celebration and I’m just so livid I have to write this. I cannot focus on anything else right now.
Our Chief Marketing Director, Jeff Staebell, coming across a piece of software, while researching one of our special reports for our anniversary celebration. He called it to my attention, which led to him listening to my rant about it a few days ago. (And of course, he ranted about the spiritual implications of this to me!)
Today, a student brought up a question about a similar software in the discussion area and started me on my rant all of again. I need to get this off my mind so I’m putting it out there.
The two software products that have been brought into question were: PC Pandora by Pandora Corp. and Spector Pro by SpectorSoft. (And I will not honor either of them by giving you the link.)
Just what are these two pieces of software and why am I in such a RAGE about them?
They are keylogging spyware programs disguised as legitimate software!
In case you missed it, let me repeat it for you! I’ll even make sure you can’t miss it!
THEY ARE KEYLOGGING SPYWARE PROGRAMS DISGUISED AS LEGITIMATE SOFTWARE!
Got it now? Good!
The PC Pandora software is supported and raved about on many sites about cheating husbands and online safety for kids. And I was stunned to see that many of the television stations from well known ABC News through NBC News, as well as well-known radio programs and PC Magazine support this kind of behavior and software! You all should be ashamed of yourself!
And Clickbank is handling their affiliate program so you’ll be seeing rave reviews from all kinds of money grubbers who have no ethics other than to promote a product they know nothing about in order to make a few bucks.
Here are my issues with this kind of marketing….
If you have to install software to catch your spouse cheating, what does that say about you as a person? What does it say about your marriage?
You don’t need this software, you need a marriage counselor!
As for the children, mom and dad, WAKE UP! Call it what you will, you aren’t protecting them, you are spying on them!
I’ve had about enough of all this lack of personal responsibility as one person can take! And I’m so sick and tired of hearing that the reason we need this kind of garbage is because we can’t be every where as parents. Yes, that’s true, but you can at least be PRESENT when you are there! You don’t need a V-chip to block your kids from the television programs you don’t want them to watch - you need to be a parent! There’s a two letter word called, “NO!” Have you heard of it? You don’t need spyware, keylogging software, you need, “NO!” coupled with SUPERVISION. Ever hear of that word?
Do you bother to hear what your children are saying to you? Do you listen to their conversations with their friends? Are you paying attention? Or is invading their privacy your way of being a good parent?
Spector Pro is no better either. Only this one lends its marketing more toward the businesses. Excuse me? If I have to install this kind of monitoring software on my employees machines, there’s a few issues I need to really address!
One would be, “What is wrong with me as an employer that I’m hiring the wrong people?” (After all, I must be hiring the wrong people if I’m needing this kind of software!)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m in favor of businesses blocking access to certain websites that may compromise the network or the employees ability to work effectively. (Like blocking porn, gambling, and such - do it on your own time!)
But, as long as the staff members are getting their work done, who am I to care if they are making a personal phone call or answering a personal e-mail? It’s work, not a concentration camp - isn’t it?
The support and advocation of this kind of malware stuns me! What are you teaching your employees, your children, your spouse? That malware is OK under certain circumstances? And those circumstances are any time I feel I’m being victimized? Get counseling - get over it!
What are we showing society? That it’s OK to spy on people and use malware when we deem it appropriate?
I see the pot calling the kettle black is what I see!
You rant at your television set and send mass e-mails about the government passing laws (currently being voted on!) about losing your rights in the new proposed law about wire tapping, and yet you illegally do the same in your own home or office?
As you can see, this has really hit a sore spot with me.
Wake up people! Call PC Pandora and Spector Pro what you will, it’s still spyware and it still stinks!
What are we coming to as a society????? This is sad. So very, very sad.
As a P.S. Do you want to see what TrendMicro thinks of the PC Pandora site? Look at this screen shot:
Kudo’s to TRENDMICRO!
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