Identified Excluded Software for Extension Personal Computers

It is recommended that none of the following software be loaded on Extension computers. These types of software are known to interfere with normal function of the computer and do not add to the efficiency of Extension office work. District Extension IT Contacts will remove any and all of this type of software from county computers, if it found or is deemed to interfere with normal county office business functions.

Audiogalaxy (confirmed spyware bundled)
Bargain Buddy
BearShare (confirmed spyware bundled)
BonziBuddy
Brilliant Digital (B3D)
Comet Cursor
CyDoor
Gator
Gnutella
Go!Zilla
Grokster (confirmed spyware bundled)
Imesh (confirmed spyware bundled)
Kontiki
LimeWire (confirmed spyware bundled)
MusicCity's Morpheus
KaZaa (confirmed spyware bundled), if you download copyrighted music or videos using KaZaa that is copyright infringement and breaking the law.
OfferCompanion
OnFlow
Radlight Media Player (Can automatically remove Ad-aware by Lava Soft)
Red Swoosh
WebShots
Xolox (confirmed spyware bundled)
Xupiter
Yahoo Companion

A comprehensive Spyware list can be viewed at http://www.spywareguide.com/product_list_full.php

Other Links about spyware:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/ (Includes spy-ware checker tool)
http://www.spychecker.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/robotarmy/ (Information about what is bundled with above programs, includes registry keys)
http://www.spywareguide.com (Comprehensive list and instructions to remove)
Notes from Counter Exploitation about spyware (http://cexx.org/)

Spyware is a generic term typically describing software whose purpose is to collect demographic and usage information from your computer, usually for advertising purposes. The term is also used to describe software that 'sneaks' onto the system or performs other activities hidden to the user. Spyware apps are usually bundled as a hidden component in mis-labeled "freeware" and shareware applications downloaded from the Internet--a spyware module may be active on your computer at this moment without your knowledge. These modules are almost always installed on the system secretively, suggesting that spyware companies know how users feel about such software and figure that the best/only way to ensure its widespread use is to prevent the end-user from discovering it.

Some earmarks of spyware:
• Collects information from your computer without your knowledge and/or consent
• Transmits a unique code to identify you (for tracking purposes) without your knowledge and/or consent
• Collects/transmits information about your computer use or other habits without your knowledge and/or consent
• Installs itself on your computer without your knowledge and/or consent
• Keeps reinstalling itself, no matter how many times you remove it
• Performs other unwholesome duties without your knowledge and/or consent