Flash as spyware

[Bill Sconce]

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:58:20 -0500
"Ben Scott" <dragonhawk at gmail.com> wrote:

>   I also don't like sensationalizing problems that are really not all
> that new to the computer world, or unique to Flash.

         [...]

<Bill McGonigle says:>
> > I actually hear web designers say, "I can't wait until we don't have to
> > use HTML anymore and everything is all Flash".

<to which Ben responds:>
>   Must... not... kill...


Q.E.D.  (Gotcha.  Flash IS unique.    :)

I see Web designers say, "users aren't smart enough to know which 
cookies to allow, so we'll go around them and use Flash".  That's 
not for animation, or for a better "Web experience".  That's for 
letting the website developer use your computer without your knowledge.

"Without your knowledge" makes any distinction between shared local
objects and outright Bot technology a splitting of hairs.

Does "everything" suck *that* much?

-Bill


(*) There are discussions about Flash control panels to allow user 
control of stored local objects.  Sure, that's the solution: yet
more user control panels, opt-outs,...  and of course "trust us and
our secret  code to do what the control panel says".  

(AOL has contracted with Macromedia/Adobe to insert payloads in the
"install Flash reader for free" downloads.  Isn't it only a matter of
time until another Sony BMG?)