comet tool bar for MG

[Valerie]

thank a lot i did what you told me but nothing happen did you read livingbooper thread about comet cursor she also had problems with it how come? i thought it was a safe stuff!

[livingbooper]

Hi. Just so I won't have to repeat, the stuff I shared about Comet Cursor is in the thread about where do we come from.

Right now I don't think the spyware is dangerous, just intrusive. I don't like the idea of "Big Brother" watching everything I do. It is installed on your computer as a marketing device so that merchants can send you ads that are tailored to your interests.
And I really don't like that the programs that you download that install these spyware elements don't inform you that you will be getting them when you install the program. I think that this should be illegal. I think that they should be made to inform you of this fact.
I may be a whistleblower, but I think that everyone needs to be made aware of this stuff. Since the comet cursor pop-up is so aggressive here (I'm constantly having to click "no") I must assume that it is the sponsor of this site. Nothing in life is free, and Comet Cursor is paying for this site, I'm sure. I make the choice not to download it, however, and I am constantly dodging the pop-up while I make my posts. I risk being booted off here, but that is the risk I am taking in letting everyone know.

And I must say that the pop-up is so much of a pain that twice this week alone I have had to run my SpywareNuker twice to get rid of the infection (they call the spyware elements infected files).
If I have been on a while the pop-up seems to know where my cursor is going and pops up trying to aim for it. If I am typing too quickly I have accidentlly hit it and had the thing install itself on my computer. Then I have to run my SpywareNuker, which is a pain because it scans EVERYTHING on my computer and takes a long time.

Well, you guys can keep it if you want to, the cursors are fun. But if you don't want your surfing watched, I'm afraid you'll need to uninstall it and put up with the pop-ups. At least now, the choice is yours and you can make an informed decision.

Take care all!
---Lizzy

[mgchan]

The Comet Cursor is a software product developed by Comet Systems, Inc., and includes website cursor viewer and desktop cursor manager functionality.

We want you to feel comfortable downloading and using our products. We understand that your trust in us depends on us respecting your privacy and being careful about safeguarding any information that you provide us.

Comet has put in place strict guidelines—detailed below—to demonstrate that we are acting in ways that we (as longtime citizens of the Internet ourselves) expect to be treated when we download software or buy products on the Internet.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does Comet Systems use the Comet Cursor to track the websites I visit or what I do on them?

No.

If I download and install the Comet Cursor, will Comet Systems send me unsolicited commercial email ("spam")?

No.

What does Comet Systems do to protect my security when I download and install the Comet Cursor?

During the download and installation of the Comet Cursor, Comet Systems uses Microsoft's high-security technology to make sure that the software you are installing has not been tampered with or modified by anyone outside of Comet Systems. The technology (called Authenticode) verifies that a given software file has not been modified from the time it was "signed" (i.e., shipped) by its publisher. Like the seal on a bottle of Tylenol, this technology reveals if the software has been tampered with before it reaches your computer. If this tamper-test fails, the software will be rejected and prevented from running on your computer. These protections help ensure that our software remains virus-free.

Does Comet Systems collect usage statistics on the Comet Cursor, and if so, what does it do with such information?

Yes, but only *********ly. Comet Systems collects ********* usage statistics on the Comet Cursor. We use these statistics to improve our software products. These statistics are limited to direct usage of the Comet Cursor only, such as how many people installed the Comet Cursor this month, or how many people saw Dilbert website cursors this month and the web address of the websites that displayed them. Beyond these ********* usage statistics, we never collect information on where Comet Cursor users go on the Web and what they do on the Web, or any other information that is not directly linked to usage of the Comet Cursor.

Does Comet Systems create individual user profiles with the Comet Cursor usage statistics it collects

No.

What personally identifiable information is collected about users of the Comet Cursor?

None.

"Personally identifiable information" is non-********* information such as your name, phone number, credit card information, address or email address—anything that could identify you personally.

Users who download the Comet Cursor are not asked for personally identifiable information to use it.

Will I get email from other companies because I purchased the Comet Cursor?

No.

Users who download the Comet Cursor will never receive any email from Comet Systems or any other companies as a result of trying or using the Comet Cursor—note that you are never asked to provide an email address in those situations.

Does the Comet Cursor include unique serial numbers?

Yes, an ********* download number. Remember, we don't collect personally identifiable information, so we don't know who you are. We use this ********* download number to count how many people have downloaded the Comet Cursor.

Has Comet Systems linked the Comet Cursor download number, license keys, or any other unique product serial numbers with personally identifiable information?

No.

Since Comet does not collect any personally identifiable information, we cannot create linkages between personally identifiable information and Comet Cursor unique serial numbers.

[mgchan]

The reason it keeps trying to install itself whenever you visit this site is because of the coding on the pages which checks to see if it's installed.

It's not a sponsor of this site. We asked them to develop the Betty Boop cursor for the fans.

Programs like Ad-aware sees it as spyware, when in fact it's not.

[livingbooper]

So here is a software company developing elaborate software and seeking to improve it. And it's FREE. So what is the catch?
This is developed by a company, and all companies need to make money. So where is the money coming from????
I'm sorry, but so far I don't buy it. Companies don't develop software out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it to make a profit. I still don't trust it and I won't install it.

---Elizabeth

[mgchan]

It's one's choice if they choose to install it or not.

The point is that we asked them to do the Betty Boop cursor and in return they can feature the BB cursors on their site. Comet Systems makes money on their site through banner ads and links.

They make no money off of us when members are using the BB cursor on the BB sites nor are they collecting any personal information nor are they sending advertisers to the members. It's a fact.

We (King Features Syndicate, Inc. & Fleischer Studios, Inc.) make every effort to protect the BB fans visiting the forums and the main Website. Any names or personal information we may collect will not be sold in a list or given away!

Notice... there are no paid advertisers on this site and the main Website!

[Valerie]

i read whay living booper had written about comet cursor and i uninstalled it but my computer still wont work correctly, i believe that we are not spired by this society but i know that some do for instance i downloaded msn messager and at the begining there xas a mail saying that the site was protected from any undesired mails but now i have a mail that it isn't and now i received undesired mails( adverts) and other people i don't know , i sent them a mail to tell them and they answered me it was something to do with the cookies and told me the way to rearrange it but it won't work! and i steel receive undesired mails! i supposed i am spired by them(!) because even when my computer is "capricious" the msn would work properly! anyway i'm sure we are always spired by societies even if we are not on computer i give you an exemple:
in france we have catalogues in which we can order all sorts of stuff (cloths etc.....) and we saw on tv the other day that these catalogue have a method that makes them know which color in cloths you order most often etc........ so that they can send you little catalogues specialy made for people who prefer blue color for instance so that they are sure you will order something from this catalogue more than another, and you , you believe that this catalogue is better than another, well i'm sure you know everything about it and i just want to say that everybody must be aware and take care as for me i don't bother and to start with i never buy on line with my credit card but i realise that i do it on the phone and i'm sure it is unsafe as well!!!!!!!!!

[livingbooper]

May I try to help?

It sounds like you are being plagued by what we call "spam" in the U.S. It is becoming a big problem for all of us who use the internet. Right now I use Yahoo which filters out the spam and puts it in bulk mail. I haven't used MSN for a long time, so I don't remember what they have, but I'm sure that they have a similar system. What I do is check my "bulk" mail from time to time to make sure that it is all junk. Since I've been able to separate the good from the junk with Yahoo, lately I just "empty" my bulk mail everyday, usually without even looking at it. With Yahoo I can put a note on any junk that gets to my good mailbox and say that it is "spam" and it will be sent to bulk next time. I'm afraid that there is nothing more we can do about spam until there is more policing of the internet. There are a couple programs that supposedly prevent spam from getting to your mailbox, but I looked into them and they are a pain to use, so I don't bother.

I am very comfortable with buying online, especially since I can find many unique things that I haven't found in regular stores. I don't think that making a purchase of an item in itself will make you a target for their ads. (But see next paragraph) There are a couple of things that I do to make online shopping safe. For one thing, I use only one credit card to do it. This way I can check the account from time to time to make sure there is no hanky panky. I manage all of my credit accounts online. The real trick to be safe is to back out of your internet connection all the way to prevent your card from keeping a "signature" online. Do this every time you use it. Also, back out every time you look at an account online, again so it is not broadcast, and relog in to continue using the internet. I have also installed a program called "Internet Washer" for added security. It is supposed to wipe away my internet "tracks" so that no one can see where I have been. I still log out and log back, though, just to be safe.

Now, what I am going to tell you now may cause you to be alarmed. But please, don't be. As far as I have heard, it hasn't been a safety issue yet. Whether the Comet Cursor is spyware or not is debatable. I am still not convinced that it is not, although if it is set up to make you *********, then it poses no threat. But if you have companies targeting ads at you which are obviously geared to your personal preferences, then I'm afraid that you probably have spyware installed on your computer. Many sites that offer free downloads (like some screensavers for free) piggyback spyware onto them. Like I said before, nothing in this world is free, there is a pricetag somewhere, and in some cases that tag is in the form of an ad advantage like spyware. I recently downloaded a program I found on the internet that was recommended to me by a co-worker called Sidestep. This is a program designed to find you the best prices on airline tickets and hotels. It was free. I downloaded it and used it. The fact that it was free made me decide to run my Spywarenuker program. I ran it and sure enough there was one element of spyware put on my computer by Sidestep. I let Spywarenuker take it out, and unlike the Comet Cursor which totally disappeared, the funtioning part of Sidestep remained and is still functional. If you have downloaded free screensavers or wallpapers, then you may have put a few spyware elements on your computer. I don't know how you'll be able to get rid of them without installing a program designed to find and eliminate them, like the one I have.

Another big problem that is plaguing us all is the problem of pop-up ads. They drive us all crazy. Despite what others may say, I noticed an increase in them when I was full of spyware, growing worse all the time. I don't know if you have them, but I'm assuming that they are driving you nuts too. Sometimes they almost prevent you from looking at a site that you want to look at, they can be so bad. But I found a program to stop these (forgot the name) which I actually got for free without spyware and this took care of the problem. I only get a few from time to time that manage to get past my pop-up stopper.

Regarding cookies: they are necessary if you want to explore most parts of the internet. Most of the best sites require them to be able to go into them. They are also necessary to send e-cards and things like that. If you set your cookies low, you won't be able to do most of the most fun things on the internet. So you have to live with the ads, I'm afraid, if you want to get the most out of your internet experience. I use Yahoo, and I HAVE to keep my cookies high in order to use most of it. If I were to set them low I wouldn't be able to explore much of what Yahoo has to offer and would probably only be able to view my emails only. So that is my choice there.

Another valuable program that I have is "GoBack". This is part of my Norton Systemworks package, which I bought primarily to use it's great anti-virus program. If you do something to mess up your computer like changing a setting you don't want, or downloading something you didn't mean to and can't get it off your computer, or do something you cannot figure out how to fix, GoBack is GREAT! You can pick a point in time to go back to whether its hours or days, and Goback will put your computer back to the way it was in that place in time. Anything you saved after that point will be gone, but it has everything saved and intact up to that point in time. It is supposed to also help you get your computer back after a systems crash...I guess if your computer is functioning wel enough to run it. I've used it a couple of times and I love it. Once I accidentally changed a setting that I couldn't fix which was really bad and I used GoBack and it saved me from having to completely reinstall my computer, which is a pain. I did it once, and I know. You don't want to go there unless you absolutely have to.

O.k. I've been running off at the mouth..er...keys again, but I hope that this helps. I would advise that you pick up a few of these programs if your computer is that messed up. All of them except the pop-up stopper cost money (although I'm sure the stopper will want to collect money eventually, but I'm waiting).

To re-cap: SpywareNuker...you can find it on the internet and download it, costs $40 or $50 American. Internet Washer, download off the internet, I can't remember the price but not bad and well worth it. EMS Free Surfer Companion, download off the internet, it's free at first (they say for 30 days, but I've had it for several months and they haven't tried to collect money yet) Norton's Systemworks with GoBack, you can buy this at any retailer that sells computer programs, or you might be able to download it. I can't remember the price, it's not cheap, but well worth it.

I hope that this helps you, Valerie. And anyone else here that reads this with similar problems. My sister has a teenage son and her computer was giving her problems ( I think by his bad surfing habits) and she ended up having a computer tech come out to her house and fix her computer for her. That is expensive.

Good luck with your computer. I hope to hear good news from you soon.:)

---Lizzy

[mgchan]

If want to scan your computer I would suggest Ad-aware. It's free and you can get it here:

http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

I'm still not sure what the problems are with Comet Systems for both Valerie and livingbooper. It adds a Pop-Up Ad blocker to your browser, which I find it to be beneficial.

Just because it's detected as spyware, doesn't mean it is.

livingbooper > what problems did you have with Comet Systems installed on your computer, besides being detected as spyware? If there are issues with the way the software operates, then it's something they need to address.

[Bikerbettyboop]

I've been using the Comet Cursor since the first day I visited the Betty Boop website and forum and I haven't had any problems. I wonder if it's something else that may be wrong with your computers? I'm no computer wizard but I would think if it was a problem with Comet Cursor then all the members would be experiencing their own set of problems....

[livingbooper]

Good suggestion, Michael.
I hope the Ad-aware is helpful for Valerie. If it's free and safe then that's a beautiful thing.

[Valerie]

thanks for the advices you all i think like bbboop, i'm not sure it's only comet system by itself that stuck my computer, we tried many things to rearrange like " defragmenter" we have the norton antivirus system and for instance i couldn't switch on internet this aft they told me that i had to reinstall wanadoo!!!!!!!!
and Maïlys came in and she just switched it on as nothing has happened before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
any way it seems to work tonight and until it really block we'll try to do it like that . thanks for the links you gave i'll see later with Pascal (my husband) what we can do!

[livingbooper]

Good luck Valerie!!!! Is it Bon Chance?
I hope to talk to you soon about more FUN stuff!

---Lizzy

[Valerie]

hi lizzy
Yes you're right it is bonne chance and i guess it's the first time i speak french on this forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's strange to me i really love to speak(sorry write) english with you all !

[livingbooper]

Je ne parle pas beaucoup...
I took a little French in college, but it's hard to remember words if I don't use it. May I practice with you from time to time?
I have a dream of going to Paris someday. I'd like to brush up on mon fracais. I am very rusty.
It would be fun to practice with someone. And you could let me know when I make a mistake.

Well, bon jour!

---Lizzy

[Valerie]

hi lizzy
great syper, you could go in french lesson in which i admit i haven't been for a long time and be sure i will give you personnal lessons it's great and i'm looking forward to it, believe me i shout when i read your post starting by je ne parle....... that was a great start!!!!!!!!!! it looks so strange to me when i read french on this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm really not used to it

[livingbooper]

Hahahaha! Is that the same in French????

[Valerie]

le hahaha is the same and i suppose everybody on earth can understand it and i also think people should do more hahahaha instead of grrrrrrrrrrrrr al the timeLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[livingbooper]

so...le hahahaha!
C'est bon pour tout le monde, oui?
I cheated with my old textbook, but it's reopening the doors to the language again! I am relearning!
Au revoir!

---Lizzy

[Bikerbettyboop]

Hi Valerie,
Are you computer problems better now? I used to have Norton Anti-Virus but I switched to Mc Afee and I seem to have less problems now.

So Lizzy also speaks French... will wonders never cease? This woman does everything doesn't she?!

[livingbooper]

Le Hahahahaha!:D

[Valerie]

yes she does indeed,! but i think there's another bug in my computer wanadoo told us about it and i have to manage to sort out again with this stupid worm as they say!!!!!!!!! do you know miss badluck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL hahahaha

[Bikerbettyboop]

Did you find the bug and get it worked out?

How do you say computer bug in French?

I'll bet it's not ha ha... when it's bugging you.... ha ha...

[Valerie]

no it's no ahah at all and norton again worked for me todays cause i have another virus (bug) its surprising!!!!!!!! and you never know what the mail is about (i'm very curious!!!!!) so wanadoo told us that there's a lot of virus for the moment!

[livingbooper]

Yes, we must all be careful. Every week I'm hearing about a new virus. And that Blaster worm is still out there I think...
Good luck...

--Lizzy

[Bikerbettyboop]

I have Mc Afee virus protection and every day it says I need to do an update... so I know there is a lot of "bugs" and "virus" activity out here. It sure isn't fun when it invades your computer. :(

[livingbooper]

Well, so far I've been lucky. From what I've read in articles written by others they say Norton's is the best defense against this new worm, and I'm glad I have Norton's.
Isn't it crazy how many viruses are circulating right now? Is this the work of a few sick minds, or is it related to the recent spread of terrorism in the world? I know many of them use computers and the internet. I wonder....

Aw...nevermind... I think too much!:confused:

---Lizzy