BEWARE of HOTBAR: Do not download this program as it is purported to be Spyware

It may be disabling your ability to send pictures or stationery with your email! See what ZDNET Readers have Shared See what our Readers have shared directly with us How to Remove Hotbar 87% of People Who Download HotBar Wish They Hadn't. Don't Be The Next Victim! The following is from resources on the web (see links listed at the bottom): "Many people have been tricked into downloading a known spyware program called HOTBAR. Hotbar disguises itself as a cool tool for customizing your net browser or to "Add COLOR to your emails" with unique backgrounds or "skins" and even makes itself look like a Microsoft product by using the Microsoft(r) trademark. Hotbar is not a Microsoft product! *

SpyWare, most often installed on your PC without your knowledge, sends information about your web browsing and email habits to advertisement companies, which, in turn, send you more pop-up ads, junk email, and potentially even pornographic emails or virus programs. In the case of Hotbar, which is user installed, installing it means you are allowing your email address and web browsing habits to be bought and sold on the internet." * Hotbar not only tracks your online surfing, but may be disabling your ability to send pictures or email stationery. It is not an upgrade to Microsoft and it is not supported by Microsoft, even though it purports itself to be an "Upgrade to Outlook." It is far from an upgrade; it is not even recognized or endorsed by Microsoft.

If you want to restore your ability to send and receive email stationery and pictures, you will have to remove this program. We have help for this on our FAQ page, Question #20 at http://thundercloud.net/faq The bottom line? This is not an official upgrade (or ANY upgrade) from Microsoft Outlook.

Hotbar is considered Adware / Trackware. It is a program that adds graphical skins to Internet Explorer toolbars. It monitors all websites you visit to add link buttons to its toolbar dependant on the websites you visit. (more? click here)

Is Hotbar violating your privacy? Yes, it tracks websites visited and forms filled in, even when the toolbar is disabled.(more? click here)

Is Hotbar a security violation? Yes. Hotbar has a silent update feature, which means, that without your knowledge or approval, this software will go to its home website and download newer versions automatically. (more? click here)

Does Hotbar cause problems with the computer system? Yes, it can slow down you computer cause lockups when you are using your web browser or email. (more? click here)

Information above is a summary of information available from the various site listed below.

Typical User Comment from ZDNET feedback: shogun323 06-Feb-2003

"I view hotbar as a virus!!!" Hotbar broadcasts itself looking to be an update for Outlook. It then appends to every email you send duping all of your friends to install this "enhancement". The manufacturers of hotbar didn't work very hard when it came to the uninstallation portion of their software. It leaves settings messed up in Outlook that render the program useless until you can figure out how fix it. If your looking for help from Hotbar's tech support, Good Luck!! They never have responded to my email to them and their is no phone number listed to reach the by. DON'T DOWNLOAD THIS SOFTWARE!!!!!

When you install Hotbar, you are agreeing to their privacy policy, which states:

TERMS OF USE AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR HOTBAR SOFTWARE AND WEB SITE: HOTBAR COLLECTS AND STORES INFORMATION ABOUT THE WEB PAGES YOU VIEW AND THE DATA YOU ENTER IN SEARCH ENGINE SEARCH FIELDS WHILE USING THE SOFTWARE. HOTBAR USES THIS INFORMATION TO DETERMINE WHICH ADS AND BUTTONS TO DISPLAY ON YOUR HOTBAR TOOLBARS AND WHICH ADS TO SHOW YOUR BROWSER." Furthermore, they include this under "Disclaimer of Warranties " they state (a) ... Licensee may be exposed to contaminated files, computer viruses, eavesdropping, harassment, electronic trespassing, hacking and other harmful acts or consequences that might lead to unauthorized invasion of privacy, loss of data and other damages. and "Licensee shall receive, and desires to so receive, various product/service promotions, marketing ads, and campaigns of third parties through the appearance of links, menus, pop-ups, and other methods on and/or in connection with the Service and the Software." Our advice? Always read privacy policies so you know what you are really agreeing to when using various software programs on the internet.

User Opinions and Experiences from ZDNET http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3302-2366-10156187.html

RESOURCES: View More HotBar Related Information

http://smccd.net/portal/announcements/details.asp?ID=435

http://www.simplythebest.net/info/spyware.html http://www.safersite.com/PestInfo/h/hotbar_adware.asp http://www.readytorun.com.au/start/newstips/spyware.htm http://www.ecu.edu/itcs/cas/newsletter/st2002-NOV.htm http://www.state.me.us/newsletter/jan2003/whos_spying_on_you.htm http://www.xs4all.nl/~myranya/skins.html http://allentech.net/parasite/HotBar.html http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_news/2002/dec19/br7.html

This list goes on an on. A search on a major search engine for the words Hotbar and Spyware, will turn up dozens of related resources.

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