You say there is no spyware, but I got it somewhere

A goodly portion of spyware is picked up browsing with IE (or an IE shell browser) with low security settings. Don't allow ActiveX and scripting on all sites, only really trusted sites. When you enable ActiveX controls (even some marked as "safe") to download and run scripts you are literally allowing programs to quietly download to your computer without your knowing it or knowing what they are or what they might do.

So knowingly downloading programs that later turn out to contain spyware isn't the only way to get spyware on your PC.

This thread at this security forum has good info on prevention: http://forum.gladiator-antivirus.com/index.php?showtopic=9857

If DesktopX distributed by Stardock contained spyware everyone here would know about it and be complaining about it. It's not the policy of SD to include spyware in their products as has already been mentioned previously. And people like me wouldn't be using their products.



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you bet, if desktopx or any other prog from here had installed spyware, i sure the heck wouldnt have installed any of it .. i hate spyware with a passion...grrrr these guys here dont need to sell space in their progs to spyware agencies to make a $. they are doing just fine with building good , useable programs that people love to use ......

Thanks for the replys. I don't allow any axtivex activity with ie, howeveI have been running "firefox" browser with the default settings to try it out and maybe something got in through there.

Mark

I've been using Stardock software since the fall of 98, and I've found no spyware hiding in any of it.
And you're right, you got it somewhere, this nifty little program can help prevent that from happening again ..  http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html 

howeveI have been running "firefox" browser with the default settings to try it out and maybe something got in through there

That'll be what did it....

DesktopX is spyware - it tells the entire world what colour underpants you're wearing...

uhhh... kinky!!!

/me runs off to install DX!

.....only if you wear underpants....

err, hey, is it kleptomanias too boot? I could have sworn I put on briefs upon getting out of the shower earlier.

Ordinarily I'd say Firefox is "safer" than IE in respect to spyware stuff most people get through ActiveX and popups.

Stardock trialware is featured on download.com. Wasn't it download.com that for a time had the option of using their download manager software? I've never used it and don't see it on the site now, but was dubious about it.

The spyware makers are getting very sneaky (hiring trojan makers to better foist their crud on people's PC's) and one has to be careful. For example, MS issued patches for some IE vulnerabilities and recommended that people continue to patch IE even if they're using another browser like Mozilla, etc to surf the net.

Anyway, however it got on your PC it wouldn't be directly from a Stardock product.