Firefox contains spyware (probably)

[pErvinalia]

But where is the pop up coming from? It can't come out of nowhere. You'd have to visit a certain website or click on some other element first to get the popup to even occur.

How does Mozilla know you have Firefox installed, and that it's due for an update?
How does Apple know that you have iTunes installed, and it's due for an update?
These things are do-able, it you have the will and the technical expertise. Of course, an Apple or Mozilla insider in you pocket helps, too.

Yeah, but it's not an actual firefox update. It is just made to look like one. It's not firefox that is triggering it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Goddidit.

[pErvinalia]

Or gays.


Or both.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's gods way of punishing New Orleans because Massachusetts allowed gay marriage. Simples.

[Mysturji]

But where is the pop up coming from? It can't come out of nowhere. You'd have to visit a certain website or click on some other element first to get the popup to even occur.

How does Mozilla know you have Firefox installed, and that it's due for an update?
How does Apple know that you have iTunes installed, and it's due for an update?
These things are do-able, it you have the will and the technical expertise. Of course, an Apple or Mozilla insider in you pocket helps, too.

Yeah, but it's not an actual firefox update. It is just made to look like one. It's not firefox that is triggering it.

That's what I said.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I think he means it's not something that would be in a legitimate FireFox update, like a trojan.

[pErvinalia]

But where is the pop up coming from? It can't come out of nowhere. You'd have to visit a certain website or click on some other element first to get the popup to even occur.

How does Mozilla know you have Firefox installed, and that it's due for an update?
How does Apple know that you have iTunes installed, and it's due for an update?
These things are do-able, it you have the will and the technical expertise. Of course, an Apple or Mozilla insider in you pocket helps, too.

Yeah, but it's not an actual firefox update. It is just made to look like one. It's not firefox that is triggering it.

That's what I said.

It didn't look like it. Are you sure you know what I am saying? You wonder how Mozilla knows you have firefox installed and it is due for an update. The answer is that firefox "phones home", if you haven't disabled that option, and sees if there are updates available. The software is the trigger. But in the case of this spyware, it's not part of firefox. It can't be triggered when firefox "phones home". Something else has to trigger it. My question was - What is triggering it? It has nothing to do with firefox, other than making itself look like a firefox update.

[orpheus]

This is one reason I never click "yes" to any update prompts from anyone. I take it as a signal that there may be an update, but I will go to the company's page myself and download the update if one exists.

[JimC]

I say yes to everything...

[Hermit]

I say yes to everything...

That's because you you use a computer platform with such a small market share that no malware and virus programmers have an interest in expending time on. No reason to feel smug about it. In fact, I'd feel embarrassed if I supported Apple Corp. It's monopolistic and avaricious modus operandi makes any other computer company look charitable in comparison. Your mindset has slipped a long way since your SDS days, hasn't it?

[JimC]

I say yes to everything...

That's because you you use a computer platform with such a small market share that no malware and virus programmers have an interest in expending time on. No reason to feel smug about it. In fact, I'd feel embarrassed if I supported Apple Corp. It's monopolistic and avaricious modus operandi makes any other computer company look charitable in comparison. Your mindset has slipped a long way since your SDS days, hasn't it?

It works for me...

[Hermit]

I say yes to everything...

That's because you you use a computer platform with such a small market share that no malware and virus programmers have an interest in expending time on. No reason to feel smug about it. In fact, I'd feel embarrassed if I supported Apple Corp. It's monopolistic and avaricious modus operandi makes any other computer company look charitable in comparison. Your mindset has slipped a long way since your SDS days, hasn't it?

It works for me...

Indubitably. Pity, that this is all you care about now. Well that, and your cats, your sons, your garden and your gin.

[JimC]

There is a limit to what one can give a fuck about, and it decreases with age...

As I'm sure you are aware...

[Hermit]

There is a limit to what one can give a fuck about, and it decreases with age...

As I'm sure you are aware...

Yes, but I hope my inability to give a fuck will not come so close to zero that it will enable me to knowingly support products by companies by buying or using them that are as antisocially avaricious as Apple Corp.

[JimC]

Shit, Apple is not the fucking anti-christ!

I get a little sick of the holier than thou attitude...