I think it fair to you all....

[marcm]

vmk is too secure to have viruses

 

[MickeysBuddy]

Here is my 2 cents worth ...
VMK does seem to have some spyware like tendancies. I run Mozilla Firefoz as my browser and when I create a mule character I get this message:

Hitbox is a site that collects data from a user on a website allowing the site operator to track the user's site usage and habits. Even though hitbox states that it only collects anonymous data and not any personal data, It is still a form of spyware because it collects user data in the background without the user being aware of it (unless you have some type of software or program running to block or alert you of this type of activity). Alot of the new antivirus programs are including this type of programing into their code to detect this type of activity and report it to you. That may be what your brother saw and was thinking it was a virus. If you run a current Antivirus program and keep it updated along with some type of firewall and Mozilla Firefox as your web browser, I feel that you can play VMK safely without having to worry about viruses or spyware on your system. Good luck though in trying to convince your brother of this. As said by someone earlier, I would consider getting your parents involved in the matter.

 

[Azure]

I did try and they said that they don't want to hear about it because they re taking my brothers side.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

hitbox isnt spyware, it is a tracking cookie company and they do not collect personal info, they are picked up by most spyware aps as "tracking cokies" and they have little or no spyware threat warning to them. Ad-Aware and Spybot do not even delete them by default like they do all other spyware. All the major companies use tracking cookies to collect user data such as IP address (yes, if they wanted to, they could shut down every mule and mule creator with IP tracking, its actually very simple code, I could even write it). Please, do not confuse spyware and cookies, they are NOT the same thing. Another myth is that a cookie can collect data without your knowledge, this is not correct. What is CAN do is collect data from your usage of a particular website, such as disney - unless you are putting your CC# into the site in question, they cannot track it. Secure sites should only be used for CC or personal info transfers, and they are not cookie logged. And an FYI, all Firefox is is Netscape Communicator really. Internet Explorer is just as secure, if not more so since the XP SP2 upgrade.

Azure, Like has been mentioned before, maybe you should print this out for them, or at least show them this thread. Or maybe they have other reasons for not wanting you to play.

 

[Azure]

I convinced him!

 

[marcm]

does that meen u are back