adobe CS and spyware

[Gale Bizet]

Bernadette...

It's the way it's going I'm afraid.

Still we do have a choice, just don't upgrade. Unless there is
something in an upgrade that you simply can't live without, then
just be happy that what one has now works just great.

I have a bunch of programs from way back when 'Archie" was the
search engine, that still work and work well.... ACDSee for one. I
did go to XP, under duress mind

MikeF

am pretty sure i won't be upgrading-not being much of a photographer haven't seen anything that I can't live without. Your actions will happily keep me occupied for a long time to come Don't think i would want to do without my XP tho

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Vern Stevens]

While I disagree that activation is "shortsighted insanity", I wholeheartedly agree that the best why to send a business a message is to not send the money if you don't like their product or service. Money talks, BS walks as they say.

But I think activation schemes will become more common in a lot of software.

VES

The secret to controlling this shortsighted insanity on Adobe's
part is to stop sending them money.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Dmitry K]

I have no idea if this is a legend or truth but if you afraid of this buy a firewall and sleep quite. This will add 5-7% to the PS price and IMHO is necessary nowadays anyway.

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to have program that does the same if not better as its expensive rival for just $99.

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

 

[Gale Bizet]

It's kind of like being offended that I have to lock my house door
at night. I'm not locking it because I"m a criminal, I'm locking
it because other people are criminals.

The problem with just targeting the bad guys is, WHO are the bad
guys? If everyone digital wore white if the were good and black
when they were bad, it might be easy to identify them.

I feel pretty certain I'm in the minority here, but I don't have a
problem with activation systems. I support their effort, to this
point, in trying to protect their work and investment. Very few
people are going to come on the forum and say "It's a good thing
they have that activation system, because otherwise I would be
copying and using Photoshop". Almost everyone always says, it's
not me, I'm an honest user.

I think more than ACTUAL inconvenience, it's the fear and
apprehension caused by potential inconvenience that worries people.
That's my opinion anyway. I sure a relatively few amount of people
probably have been inconvenienced in some way, but nothing is
perfect.

VES

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Vern Stevens]

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to
have program that does the same if not better as its expensive
rival for just $99.

I have PSP 8.0 also, but I don't think it nearly does as good a job. It is definitely quick full featured for the price, and a nice program in general. But PS CS can do quite a few more things. Whether those things are useful to you or not is obviously a different matter.

PSP 8.0 is still on my hard drive at this point, but the more I PS CS, the more likely I will be clearing up some HD space with PSP soon.

VES

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Gale Bizet]

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Gale Bizet]

The secret to controlling this shortsighted insanity on Adobe's
part is to stop sending them money.

VES

I have just activated my copy of CS by phone today.I think your
fears are unfounded. IMHO Adobe are only doing their best to stop
pirating of their products. I also heard elsewhere that CS had been
cracked already anyway.If you have any fears about the matter just
install on a computer that is not connected to the NET or install a
firewall and don't allow access from or to Adobe.

Fred

--

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
G. Barrington
Teradata Certified Professional

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Vern Stevens]

700 worth of what, I"m not following you. Yes, it is costly, and certainly not for everyone. But it can be easily had for 50 dollars less, full version. For me, 300 dollars total as an upgrade from Elements. I was still going to buy even if someone hadn't posted the upgrade price.

VES

It's kind of like being offended that I have to lock my house door
at night. I'm not locking it because I"m a criminal, I'm locking
it because other people are criminals.

The problem with just targeting the bad guys is, WHO are the bad
guys? If everyone digital wore white if the were good and black
when they were bad, it might be easy to identify them.

I feel pretty certain I'm in the minority here, but I don't have a
problem with activation systems. I support their effort, to this
point, in trying to protect their work and investment. Very few
people are going to come on the forum and say "It's a good thing
they have that activation system, because otherwise I would be
copying and using Photoshop". Almost everyone always says, it's
not me, I'm an honest user.

I think more than ACTUAL inconvenience, it's the fear and
apprehension caused by potential inconvenience that worries people.
That's my opinion anyway. I sure a relatively few amount of people
probably have been inconvenienced in some way, but nothing is
perfect.

VES

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Gale Bizet]

But I think activation schemes will become more common in a lot of
software.

VES

The secret to controlling this shortsighted insanity on Adobe's
part is to stop sending them money.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Vern Stevens]

Who wins is a subjective measurement. It also matters quite a bit WHO is buying the software, and what they are buying it for. I have a sneaky feeling that Adobe will do just fine at the 650 price point. It would be interesting to see actual comparative sales numbers though, PSP vs PS.

Also, I'd like to know which represents the bigger market share for buying PS, consumers or businesses. I'd guess businesses, but that's just that, a guess. I can't see PSP 8 really serving all the needs of most businesses. I bought both full versions, PSP8 and PSCS.

VES

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Gale Bizet]

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to
have program that does the same if not better as its expensive
rival for just $99.

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[Vern Stevens]

Therein lies the problem. Collectively, "WE" are against activation. You may be, but I'm not. Some agree with you, some agree with me. I won't be sticking with you on it.

VES

But I think activation schemes will become more common in a lot of
software.

VES

The secret to controlling this shortsighted insanity on Adobe's
part is to stop sending them money.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[bm bradley]

so boys and girls, I installed the upgrade - the actions I wrote batched however no files were affected. i tried several times and re-wrote all the action. evenm the actions that i built on P 7.0 and imported would not affect files. I use a firewall and did not allow adobe to access the net. I didn't know about this thread at that time i did however call adobe and ask for a refund which they are doing. my reason being that the software would not work on my machine. is there a connection? what do you guysd think. i don't know if I have another 3 hrs to mess around with it. because during the loading and unloading of p 8.0 the color space or profile got trashed.on my machine. (wintel) i sure don't need that head ache again

 

[Dmitry K]

I'm talking about software firewall. There are several products around in price range $0-100 that are doing things quite well. Once I have it installed, I don't care about unauthorized access, neither from outside nor inside.

Dmitry

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to
have program that does the same if not better as its expensive
rival for just $99.

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
Gale Bizet...FCAS member...NIkon 5000
Newbeeeee Forever :> )) and Tweaker..LoL

 

[tomseek]

There are so far 34 replies to this thread and you have 9 of them. That's roughly 1 in 4. I understand your point perfectly well, and to me, they're perfectly valid points. However, now it's beginning to look like ya advertising for Adobe. I think your point is well taken. Enuff said.

Tom

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to
have program that does the same if not better as its expensive
rival for just $99.

I have PSP 8.0 also, but I don't think it nearly does as good a
job. It is definitely quick full featured for the price, and a
nice program in general. But PS CS can do quite a few more things.
Whether those things are useful to you or not is obviously a
different matter.

PSP 8.0 is still on my hard drive at this point, but the more I PS
CS, the more likely I will be clearing up some HD space with PSP
soon.

VES

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Vern Stevens]

And since this is the only one specifically directed at you, I'm not sure why you would try to politely tell me to shut up. No, I'm not advertising for Adobe. The principles I'm talking about apply to all products/services, not just Adobes.

And I don't see any posts from you in this thread until now so how was I supposed to know that you got my point?

However, if you do expect to shut me up, and have any hope of me considering the request, you will have to be much more polite than that.

The good news is that your math is spot on.

VES

Tom

Or you may go for another software. I use PSP and qiute happy to
have program that does the same if not better as its expensive
rival for just $99.

I have PSP 8.0 also, but I don't think it nearly does as good a
job. It is definitely quick full featured for the price, and a
nice program in general. But PS CS can do quite a few more things.
Whether those things are useful to you or not is obviously a
different matter.

PSP 8.0 is still on my hard drive at this point, but the more I PS
CS, the more likely I will be clearing up some HD space with PSP
soon.

VES

Dmitry

my husband came across this post on the rec.video.desktop
newsgroup-had never come across this before.

post says :
If you've bought Photoshop CS and have noticed a new service
called "Adobe LM Service", this is 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.

Just an FYI for anyone considering upgrading. Adobe has finally
fallen over the edge.

responses were:
Not quite a virus, but SafeCast does a lot more than advertised.

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:

and
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

has anyone heard things like this. First i have come across it. I
haven't upgraded and things like this give me food for thought for
sure.

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

--
'Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate.' - The X-Files (Teliko)

http://www.pbase.com/vsteven

 

[Dan Honemann]

Dmitry,

Is there any particular firewall software you would recommend?

Dan

I'm talking about software firewall. There are several products
around in price range $0-100 that are doing things quite well. Once
I have it installed, I don't care about unauthorized access,
neither from outside nor inside.

Dmitry

 

[CanonJP]

Hi PS (CS) users,

I'm still thinking of upgrading to CS and here is something I found on the internet. I really DON'T have a clue if this is gonna work, cause I dont have any CS product installed yet. Here it comes:

The spyware isn't attached to PhotoShop CS only. Other CS programs do the same thing: reporting to Adobe.

There is a file in "X:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Web" thats called "AOM.exe".
Try to rename this file to "AOM.xxx" and check if the reporting still goes on.

I hope this a solution for those users who dont want to report every action to adobe.

JP

PS. I'm from holland, so dont blame by bad english

 

[icmp]

Hi, I'm not Dmitry.. but, I'd highly recommend checking out the free verzion of Zonelabs Zonelarm ( http://www.zonelabs.com ). I've tried a variety of the, but kept going back to ZA, enough so to spring for the Pro version (not necessary, but added some stuff I found value).

You could check around for others, there are some other decent host-based (software) firewalls out there (free and for $), but I don't think any of them are better than ZA and most are not quite as good. Being free is a bonus, so it's painless to download and try/keep.

-icmp

Is there any particular firewall software you would recommend?

Dan

I'm talking about software firewall. There are several products
around in price range $0-100 that are doing things quite well. Once
I have it installed, I don't care about unauthorized access,
neither from outside nor inside.

Dmitry

 

[Dmitry K]

As of the threats like the subject of the thread, any firewall, commercial or freeware is capable to stop them. In general I suggest that you use the same approach as with digicams. Go read reviews, give it a try and then decide. I personally use Outpost Firewall Pro available at http://www.agnitum.com . The reason of chioce was that it is easiest to manage. It recognized a lot of typical requests from apps like chat clients, download managers, software updaters, etc. and has presets for them so when you allow them you don't have to describe every single port that may be used. I've also tried the stuff from Norton and McAfee but both appeared to be a pain to manage. In addition, McAfee improperly handles trusted zone so I had to allow every type of connection within my local network manually. Zone Alarm, Kerio and Tiny Firewalls have good press and may worth try.

Anyway, my global recommendation is that a firewall is absolutely necessary on every PC that may connect to the Net from outside of a protected network. Believe me once you try you'll be amazed to see how much sh*t is coming from the Net -- seems it's full of guys who feel themselves sick until they hack someone.

Dmitry

Is there any particular firewall software you would recommend?

Dan

I'm talking about software firewall. There are several products
around in price range $0-100 that are doing things quite well. Once
I have it installed, I don't care about unauthorized access,
neither from outside nor inside.

Dmitry