An interesting post on a computer discussion site raises some important questions 
about software installed by cable personnel. Here’s the entry in its entirely Posted 
by Cliff...

“The cable guy came over o install a cable moderm at my Dad’s house. As I watched 
him do his stuff I noticed he was installing something called Broadjump Client Foundation. 
I know you don’t need software for a cable modem to work so I asked if I was necessary. 
He said he had to do his list of things, and we had to sign that he did list of things, 
otherwise he couldn’t leave it with us to use. Since I can always remove the software, 
I agree, but I noticed while he was flipping through the install, he was clicking 
‘agree’ on every EULA that came up. Doing a search on Google for ‘Broadjump Client 
Foundation’ comes up with some pretty scary stuff as far as what it does, like: ‘Build 
a database of subscriber demographics and buying behaviors to help evolve and refine 
marketing efforts.’ Now, how does this affect us? Neither myself or anyone in my 
family agreed to the software; the cable guy did. And is there anyway to get cable 
companies to stop doing this as I can imagine since the cable company is a monopoly 
in this town, that the percentage of people who still have this software on their 
computers is pretty high.” The author raises some important issues here. One of them 
is the general issue of the extent to which internet providers can report on the 
web activities of their subscribers. Another, related issue is the way in which permissions 
are handled (or not handled) in this case, and obviously the way in which it affects 
the first issue. A related issue occurs when users unknowingly download software 
that then monitors their web browser activity think about this issue on two levels. 
First, what do you think is right or wrong (permissible or impermissible) in this 
scenario? Was it wrong, for example, for the computer technician o click off on the 
EULA’s?, Second, o what extent should these things be regulated? That is, should 
there be legislation or government regulation overseeing the monitoring behavior 
of internet providers? If so, what provision should it contain?


i have a sort of case study about that topic... please help =[


this would be the format of my case study!!! please need some help.. i really don't 
know what about this issue =[


I.	Define the problem:

II.	What will be your objective



III.	Areas of consideration
a.	Strengths
b.	Weakness/es
c.	Opportunities
d.	Treats

IV.	Alternative Course of Action
V.	Conclussion


Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

The problem with any monopoly situation is you have to put up with crap. That's just one example of the problems that can be incurred when you have only one highspeed provider in your area. A friend of mine lives where there's only one highspeed and his connection is horrible. Since there's no competition, they overload the segments so the bandwidth sucks.

Anyhow, I digress......No, I don't think it's right. As far as I'm concerned, it's my PC, I paid for it. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, else in the world had the right to install any software on my PC without:
A) My prior knowledge
and
B) My prior approval.

Any software that wants to send information to someone else (again, without my prior knowledge AND approval) is not OK with me.

I believe there should be laws restricting this type of behaviour with severe legal consequences. What it amounts to in my eyes is an invasion of my privacy. In my view, someone installing (or attempting to install) software on my PC without my knowledge is akin to fraud. As a consumer, I should always have a choice and the option of saying, "No thank you, I don't want your crap on my computer!". How would we all feel if it suddenly came to light that all vehicles were to be installed with GPS devices that report to a central gov't agency who constantly monitor where we go? It's all very 1984 and I for one do not want Big Brother looking over my shoulder every where I go. As long as what I'm doing is legal and not hurting anybody else, what I do and where I go is nobody's business but my own.

Knowing that type of software is out there and unrestricted by law, I therefore take steps to prevent it from reporting any of my surfing habits, my hardware or anything. I have my Windows XP Pro set to not update automatically. I want control of what installs and will not leave it up to M$. I have antispyware software installed and run it every other day or so. I have a firewall device (SOHO Router) and a UNIX based router/firewall between my PC's and my external connection. I'm careful about where I surf an what all I click on when I am out there surfing.

As to the question of the cable guy installing the software. I would have told him, "Check the box buddy and leave the garbage software OFF of my PC. If anybody calls and asks, we'll confirm you did it". Most of them (at least the ones with brains) will agree and skip that part as it's time consuming and of course, totally unneccessary. Being a computer geek, I never let any ham fisted wannabe tech touch my PC. I've had a few squawk that it was their job and they "had" to install the ISP software and install the NIC and so on and so on. But in the end, I tell them, "When you can match my training and experience year for year and cert for cert, then and only then can YOU touch my PC" otherwise, just shut up and do as I tell you to do. For the most part, I already have everything setup when they arrive and all they have to do is give me the modem and run their stupid test to ensure it's working (note: I make them plug their laptop in to verify the connection is active and working.....I'm not even letting other people touch my keyboard.......lol).


On Friday, July 20, 2007 at 4:13 am, yhaj wrote:
>An interesting post on a computer discussion site raises some important questions
>about software installed by cable personnel. Here’s the entry in its entirely Posted
>by Cliff...
>
>“The cable guy came over o install a cable moderm at my Dad’s house. As I watched
>him do his stuff I noticed he was installing something called Broadjump Client Foundation.
>I know you don’t need software for a cable modem to work so I asked if I was necessary.
>He said he had to do his list of things, and we had to sign that he did list of things,
>otherwise he couldn’t leave it with us to use. Since I can always remove the software,
>I agree, but I noticed while he was flipping through the install, he was clicking
>‘agree’ on every EULA that came up. Doing a search on Google for ‘Broadjump Client
>Foundation’ comes up with some pretty scary stuff as far as what it does, like: ‘Build
>a database of subscriber demographics and buying behaviors to help evolve and refine
>marketing efforts.’ Now, how does this affect us? Neither myself or anyone in my
>family agreed to the software; the cable guy did. And is there anyway to get cable
>companies to stop doing this as I can imagine since the cable company is a monopoly
>in this town, that the percentage of people who still have this software on their
>computers is pretty high.” The author raises some important issues here. One of them
>is the general issue of the extent to which internet providers can report on the
>web activities of their subscribers. Another, related issue is the way in which permissions
>are handled (or not handled) in this case, and obviously the way in which it affects
>the first issue. A related issue occurs when users unknowingly download software
>that then monitors their web browser activity think about this issue on two levels.
>First, what do you think is right or wrong (permissible or impermissible) in this
>scenario? Was it wrong, for example, for the computer technician o click off on the
>EULA’s?, Second, o what extent should these things be regulated? That is, should
>there be legislation or government regulation overseeing the monitoring behavior
>of internet providers? If so, what provision should it contain?
>
>
>i have a sort of case study about that topic... please help =[
>
>
>this would be the format of my case study!!! please need some help.. i really don't
>know what about this issue =[
>
>
>I. Define the problem:
>
>II. What will be your objective
>
>
>
>III. Areas of consideration
>a. Strengths
>b. Weakness/es
>c. Opportunities
>d. Treats
>
>IV. Alternative Course of Action
>V. Conclussion
>
>
>Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

It's going to keep happening until enough people make their voices heard through 
the state atty general's office, the FCC, and the Public Utilities Commission in 
their respective state.  (if you are in the USA)  I would say it's more than a valid 
case for some litigation to be filed.  Some laywers would jump on it if they smelled 
enough money or class action status.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

• Search this forum
• Start a new thread on a different subject

• Report abuse of the forum