Talk:IncrediMail

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[edit] Incredimail isn't Malware

The statement "is not malware" needs a reference. Or is it just self-apparent from the Wiki definition of malware, maybe? --213.112.82.29 22:53, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

"Contrary to some people's speculation, IncrediMail is not malware." This is highly debatable... 201.19.223.77 02:01, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

I was wondering if i could add http://www.oldapps.com/incredimail.htm here.

This is the only site that provides old version of incredimail..

No. You have been spamming oldapps.com for a long time, and it's not constructive to the purpose of an encyclopedia. Haakon 10:18, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

This article is wrong in stating that Incredimail is not malware. It most definitely is, as given by many sources:

http://microsoft.toddverbeek.com/mailnews.html

A quote: "At the time I tried Incredimail, I found it to be such a resource hog. It made my system slow and in general bog things down. It did do fanastic with mail though, but then I found it communicated with the mothership and I dropped it. I removed it and things went back to normal. I ran spyware to do a final cleaning and all is well. Its supposed to have cleaned-up thier act, but I usually don't return to s/w once they've done that. Why should I trust them." from here: http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6122_102-0.html?forumID=44&threadID=12328&messageID=140431

A quote: "Then about 30 minutes later up pops WinPatrol to say Incredimail is trying to write to my start up menu. Now I don't know if incredimail is spyware, but I do know I have no idea how it got on my system, I know I did not want it and it was a right bugger to get rid of (requiring a regedit)." from here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13165115

A quote: "Incredimail is Spyware in that it makes over 1200 changes or more to your computer's registry. It is hard to get out of your computer once you download it. Incredimail comes out of Isreal the last I heard and it does track it users and in a way it is spyware." from here: http://infoave.ipbhost.com/lofiversion/index.php/t23895.html

http://tpsconsulting.blogspot.com/2005/04/incredimail-is-spyware-longer-you-use.html

and from my own prior experience running Windows, it forcefully installs itself into your system, collects data about you without telling you, hogs resources, contacts its home page continuously resulting in slower webpage loading, and has no "uninstall" method which removes all traces of itself. It does indeed require a regedit and manual deletion of files and folders to remove. It meets every criterion for malware I've ever heard of, including the fact that it is superfluous to the email process and adds no value.

Why is this page locked from editing with the misinformation in place? I'm kind of new to Wiki and don't want to stomp on any toes, but the least we could do is flag it "the neutrality of this article is disputed".

Hosiah 22:30, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Whether or not a program is malware is extremely subjective. The way I see it the real bottom line is this: If the program does everything that you ask it to, and nothing you don't, then it's not malware. For many people, Incredimail does not pass this test. Yes, it does things many people don't want. Sure, it does things in ways that some people don't like. All programs have advantages and disadvantages. It's up to the individual to decide where on the scale each program lies.

As such, there is no "neutral point of view" on this issue. For this reason, if no other, the article should not state that it's not malware - nor should it state that it is malware.

(FYI, I am a pleased Incredimail Premium user, and have been for years)

--JimH443 06:45, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

I was going to leave my response limited to what I said above, but I have a point of view that I feel needs to be expressed.

First, as to it being a resource hog. Generally speaking, the more capabilities a program has the more resources it's going to use. A related example is the difference between Internet Explorer (or just about any browser) and Hyperterminal (does anyone here even remember that program?). Hyperterminal was ASCII only, no graphics of any sort. Because of this, it was very small (would fit on a floppy if you wanted it to) and used very few resources. Despite the fact that Hyperterminal uses less resources, it's not a very popular program - and IE, Foxfire, Netscape and Opera (et al) are not being called malware due to their requiring more from the computer.

Second, as to its adding itself to startup. Incredimail is by no means the only one. A program that I find particularly annoying in this regard is Adobe's Acrobat pdf reader. Yet I don't hear people claiming that Acrobat is malware. BTW... those who have WinPatrol installed can use its features to prevent Incredimail (or any other program) from loading at startup any time they choose - during installation or at any time after.

Third, it's "calling home." Again, not at all unusual - especially for communications software. It keeps users informed about new releases. My Avant browser does this. So does Windows.

Fourth, the fact that it uses the registry. Come on - you're kidding, right? Can you name 5 programs that don't??

Fifth, collecting data unbeknownst to the user. I admit I am ignorant of, and unconcerned about, this aspect. I will not argue that it does not, nor will I concede that it does.

Unfortunately, you're quite correct about the inability to effortlessly & completely uninstall the program. I see this as a very serious drawback that should be corrected immediately. For me, though, that point is moot as I have no intention of uninstalling it.

--JimH443 07:31, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

It may or may not be mailware. The simple fact that it is so disputed merits a mention in and of itself. I feel that something about it's possibility should be mentioned in the body of the article. And 1 or 2 links giving each side of the issue. This way both sides are covered, and doing it in as neutral way as possible. 75.120.87.94 22:08, 13 February 2007 (UTC)