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Latest Realplayer (10) from Real.com may contain spyware.

65.132.56.53
Posted on July 12, 2004 at 16:47:03
Tony Montana


 
What has happened to Realplayer?

Starting with their RealOne Player Version 1 which came out couple of years ago, Realplayer software seem to got too big for their own good. The newer versions contain a browser and Jukebox player, and anytime Realplayer is opened, the browser open automatically launching into real.com web site...whether you like it or not :)

The worst part is that Replayer have embedded some type of program in their software that request/send information to some web site even when realplayer is not open/launched. I have a Firewall software and it warns me if any programs on my compute try to access Internet without my permission.

Realplayer "spyware" try to contact the Internet at least couple of times a day, and of course I deny the permission. And that is when realplayer is not open. So, it make one wonder to what information is send when Realplayer IS open and it already has permission to access web from my Firewall!!

Here are the older versions of Realplayer software which are much smaller and don't contain the browser, and no spy software (from RealPlayer 8 and lower):


 

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And this surprises you?, posted on July 13, 2004 at 04:14:38
Jack G


 
Its just a given that just about everything has spyware.
My wife's computer had 2 spyware programs on it, straight out of the box, before it was ever hooked up to the internet.
Jack

 

It's probably the auto-updater, posted on July 12, 2004 at 21:16:51
Biencfg


 
Still a bad thing though.

 

It sure like to update itself frequently :)-nt, posted on July 12, 2004 at 21:24:54
Tony Montana


 
:)

 

All that and more is why I refuse to have anything to do with RealPlayer,.., posted on July 12, 2004 at 17:11:37
Neil49


 
and I've noticed that in the last year or so, many Websites that used to have access to their audio info exclusively via RealPlayer have either dropped them or have added other access options. Too many customer complaints?

 

Re: All that and more is why I refuse to have anything to do with RealPlayer,.., posted on July 12, 2004 at 18:30:46
RBP


 
I wish I could find another player that will play ram files. Any ideas for a PC based system?

Real player bites IMO.
.

 

What's a ram file?..., posted on July 13, 2004 at 00:36:05
Neil49


 
I guess that tells you how helpful I will be in answering your question!

 

Re: What's a ram file?..., posted on July 13, 2004 at 06:54:26
RBP


 
.ram is the type file that the real player uses, amongst other things. (real audio/media)
.

 

Realplayer alternative, posted on July 12, 2004 at 20:58:17
Daveslater


 
Use winamp with appropriate add on plug in. Runs with minimal resource usage and does not take over your PC

 

How whould I do that?, posted on July 12, 2004 at 21:15:57
Tony Montana


 
I love to be able to do that (get .ram codec) if it is possible since winamp is a great player :)

 

Real ness., posted on July 12, 2004 at 20:21:54
Poindexter


 
Hi, Bill,

RealPlayer has evidently been known for yonks as spyware central. I once loaded the thing, and it took me two weeks to get all the germs off my box. This was when I became enamoured of Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware.

I understand that there's a ware called 'Real Alternative' that will play the appropriate files. It is (approximately) RP without the spyware. Haven't tried it, but it comes recommended by my faculty.

Regards,

Poinz

 

Thanks for the tip., posted on July 12, 2004 at 21:21:01
Tony Montana


 
I will check on it.

 

Rd: Same here, even the old versions were annoying..., posted on July 12, 2004 at 17:19:09
Matts


 
and overly obnoxious. always turning on when I didn't want them and using RAM needlessly with the auto on features. I got rid of it over a year ago and haven't looked back.

 

I had to reformat my HD to get rid of it completely., posted on July 12, 2004 at 21:10:53
Tony Montana


 
But since I had to have RP because that is the only player that will play .ram files, I downloaded the earlier version of RP (version 8), and so far no problem with programs launching themselves or causing my firewall to light up like a christmas tree :)


 

VIE, posted on June 13, 2006 at 20:42:42
pp


 
Toi ten la Phuong

 

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