Frequent (and welcome) visitor Scott relays an experience a friend of his had with Skype and spyware.
In fact, Skype isn’t spyware. Download it from their web site, and you don’t have to worry about it.
Scott’s friend probably actually installed the file-sharing program (and bane of parents and tech support staff) Kazaa. Download it, and it includes Skype and a whackload of adware / spyware / badpeopleware. (A public service announcement: Don’t. Just don’t.)
But Scott’s caution is very well-placed. And there are two lessons here.
- For users: Before downloading and installing (or buying and installing, for that matter) any software Рwhether it’s FreePornSurferPro or a Windows XP service pack Рgo online. Search Google, Google Groups and Technorati to see what people are saying about the software.
- For software publshers: Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. Skype shouldn’t be surprised that a bundling agreement with Kazaa and Sharman Networks means that people now also associate Skype with spyware.
Update: Deborah Elizabeth Finn is taking Skype for a spin and maintaining a diary of her (mixed) experiences. She’s not a technology-for-technology’s-sake kind of person, so this will be worth reading.
