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From: kevin@msa3b.UUCP (Kevin P. Kleinfelter)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Is Prodigy safe to use?
Message-ID: <1479@msa3b.UUCP>
Date: 28 Dec 90 12:29:31 GMT
References: <80330004@hpl-opus.hpl.hp.com> <8619@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM> <27798e38-2412.7comp.ibmpc-1@point.UUCP>
Organization: Dun and Bradstreet Software, Inc., Atlanta, GA
Lines: 51

akcs.vladimer@point.UUCP (kevin kadow) writes:

>I'd like to know more about the other problems with prodigy...
> 
>As to what the real difference between Prodidgy updates and commercial
>software is:
> 
>If I buy a commercial program and install it on my HD, that is a one time
>act, where I get a file from the company.

>With PRODIGY, let's say that I call and send some E-mail to a guy saying
>that I'm working on a revolutionary new communications network that will
>make systems like Prodigy and Compuserve OBSOLETE. Now let us say that
>they intercept this message, in which I say I'm writing this program
>using PASCAL.

>Prodigy writes a program, which is run in the background on *MY* system
>the next time I call. This program makes a list of a files with a .PAS
>extension that are on my drive, and copies them (in the background) to
>their disk WHILE I AM ONLINE.
> 
>They could also sabotage my program, or otherwise conduct industrial
>espionage.

If you really believe that this is likely, then one can assume that you
would be willing to put forth some effort to make money from this notion.
Here is what you do: Get a PC, put nothing on it but Prodigy, lots of
dummy data,  and a TSR program to record all file opens.  Use this PC for
all your Prodigy access.  When you have evidence that Prodigy has done
something inappropriate to your machine, sue.

If you do not believe that this is worth the effort, then I assert that you
do not believe that it is likely that Prodigy will inflict any damage.
Yes, it is hypothetically possible that you could be damaged by Prodigy.

However, one should remember that Prodigy-type communication is about as
"private" as cordless and cellular phones (i.e. anyone CAN listen if they
go to the trouble).  If you were to come under suspicion of illegal
computer-related activities, you can bet that the authorities would get a
writ, ordering Prodigy to copy everything from your disk as evidence.

(So now that you've demonstrated  paranoia about corporate
America, I've just demonstrated paranoia about governmental America.)



-- 
Kevin Kleinfelter @ Dun and Bradstreet Software, Inc (404) 239-2347
{emory,gatech}!nanovx!msa3b!kevin

Soon to become {emory,gatech}!nanovx!dbses0!kevin  (But not yet!)