Looking at this, there appears to be smoke without fire. It looks like they
don't gather much in the way of data unless you download and install
software via phoenixnet.
At worst, it's going to reset your homepage once, and you'll pop onto it
the first time you start your browser. It's not even clear that this happens
without asking.
What we really have here is Phoenix abusing it's power over BIOS content
to pre-install an app without asking you. Barring further evidence of
nefarious
activity, we've all got much worse stuff to worry about.
The operative quote for this list may be: "The question is not 'Are you
paranoid?'.
It's 'Are you paranoid enough?'" (Cadigan). That doesn't mean, however, that
it's impossible to be to be *too* paranoid.
Peter Trei
> ----------
> From: kelley[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Reply To: kelley
> Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 12:26 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: BIOS spying
>
> has anyone heard more about this? long list of motherboards at the
> phoenixnet site.
>
>
> kelley
>
>
> <forwarded>
> BIOS Spying on You
>
> Something this morning came through from my MVP peers that I thought needs
>
> passing on. I find this most disturbing and wanted you to look it over.
> Seems some will stop at nothing to "spy" on us. Take a look at the
> PhoenixNet-Enabled System Boards on the market today. In the FAQ section
> of
> the PheonixNet website, note the question: "What is the difference between
>
> installing a PhoenixNet-enabled motherboard and a non-PhoenixNet-enabled
> motherboard?" The answer reads:
>
>
> 'If your computer is built with a PhoenixNet-enabled motherboard, a
> portion
> of the PhoenixNet software resides safely within the BIOS ROM (Read Only
> Memory). PhoenixNet solutions launch automatically at the initial start-up
>
> of your new PC and it sets the home page and search page default based on
> system settings detected on the computer. If you don't have a
> PhoenixNet-enabled motherboard, PhoenixNet software is available on the
> CD-ROM containing the motherboard drivers. If you decide to pre-install
> PhoenixNet software for your end-user, the home page and search page will
> be automatically set up the first time the end-user connects to the
> Internet.'
>
> Now read about the data PhoenixNet BIOS collects
> <http://home.phoenixnet.com/privacy/pcusers.html> and what it's used for.
> I
> don't believe most users will ever know it's there. If I understand this
> correctly, we've got BIOS level spying and advertising, and even
> potentially spam from PhoenixNet's "partners." That means you can't get
> rid
> of it without flashing your BIOS. And where do the flashes come from? The
> same company that implanted this garbage in the first place. --George
> Aker,
> MS [MVP-DTS]
>
> </backwarded>
>
> Kelley Walker
> Interpact, Inc.
> www.interpactinc.com
>
> Interpact Inc. sponsors Infowarcon
> Washington, D.C., Sept. 4-7, 2001
>
> For more information:
> Ph: 727.796.8484
> PDF: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
