AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam
Anick Jesdanun, The Associated Press 2003-10-23

Even more annoying than junk e-mail are all the spam messages that "pop up" through a little-used feature in Windows. As part of its spam-fighting efforts, America Online has been turning off that feature for its customers without telling them.

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AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-23
Anonymous (1 replies)

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-23
Good info needed (2 replies)

How to disable it manually 2003-10-24
Anonymous

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-24
Texas

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-23
Tim (1 replies)

Still...why would they want it on to begin with? 2003-10-24
Anonymous

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-24
Anonymous

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-24
meowmix

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-24
Chris Caydes

I sincerely believe that AOL did the right thing. Sure, just like most security pros, I wouldn't want AOL making any quiet changes in my system. But the bulk of AOL aren't security pros, they cannot deal with the problem themselves, and they should not have to deal with the problem themselves.

I would certainly prefer the change coming from Microsoft, but if Microsoft shipped that change in the next service pack, it would affect mostly corporate computers, and some corporations might still use the service. Actually I do not see any better vehicle than AOL or MSN, Microsoft's domestic branch, or Yahoo, to reach the most home users and do what is best.

Installation programs have been changing settings in people's computers for years, for far less legitimate purposes than the change made by AOL, and I never heard anyone complain. Has anyone tried to change back all settings modified by Real Networks after you install their products ?

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/articles/7278/23344#23344

AOL quietly changes Windows settings to combat pop-up spam 2003-10-24
shyamanta(aol tech)