Quickbooks pro requires Spyware

[livelyliz]

I am trying to figure out which accounting software to begin my new business with. I've read some VERY negative posts on Amazon about Quickbooks Pro and the one that concerns me the most is the claim that Quickbooks installs Gator Spyware. Here's the comment from Amazon from 2/7/03

I have verified that Quickbooks pro now REQUIRES the Gator SPYWARE to run. They don't tell you this, but it silently installs Gator, a long known spyware program, and if you uninstall the spyware with ad-aware or manually remove the spyware Quickbooks tells you that you are trying to open a document created with a newer version than your software. When you go to the automatic update online, it REINSTALLS Gator spyware. BEWARE. My intrusion detection system showed the PC with Quickbooks/Gator sending ten times the amount of information back to Gator than the pc's infected with the regular version of the Gator spyware. Spyware advice sites report that Gator sends the information you fill into forms back to them. Now imagine filling in a credit card number on a web form...
BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID.

Does anyone know of a work-around on this? I think overall, I'm still in favor of Quickbooks, as I've used it several versions ago and my tax accountant has it and I can dump data for them to work with.

Thanks for helping me see this all clearly.
Elizabeth

[gibbo]

Read this
http://www.turbotaxsupport.com/servicesupport/faq.asp?docid=188&CategoryId=119&chat=

I also found this on a forum: "Just got off the phone with Intuit.
He said that gator is definitely not bundled with QB2003. But, he also told me that there IS a program in quickbooks that "unscrupulous companies" could use to track and spy, but that they use it mainly for security. I have no clue what he meant, and he wasn't sure what the program was. Referred me to the privacy page of their website.
I don't know if this clears things up or if I'm just more confused than ever! :) Thought I'd let you know what I had found out, though."

[crazysonoran]

Well I have many versions of Quickbooks installed on my computer and there is nothing even resembling Gator on my system, I'd know it since I am a computer geek. The only things that Quickbooks does automatically is download the updates and it will watch which way you do certain tasks in quickbooks, like do you use the menu or the navigator when opening the write checks screen kind of things. No personal data is transfered and the program asks you if you want to participate before it does this.

[livelyliz]

Thanks, fellas, that makes me feel a lot better. I read the link on Turbo Tax (as I have used that for several years now) and will look at the QuickBooks tech support page for a similar statement.

I appreciate your help on this.

Elizabeth

[DCritesCPA]

The Gator Spyware supposedly on shows up starting with QB 2003. It has shown up on my computer and some of my clients computers using QB 2003.

If you go into Setting / Control Panel / Add-Remove - the spyware program is located in a program called GAIN.

[lustbergcpa]

Has anyone addressed this issue with Intuit? I would like to know why they do this. Is it for marketing purposes? If they intentionally put this on their software, shouldn't they be required to disclose this fact? This is very disturbing.

[gtsally]

Originally posted by crazysonoran
The only things that Quickbooks does .... it will watch which way you do certain tasks in quickbooks, like do you use the menu or the navigator when opening the write checks screen kind of things.

Just this sounds like more than I would want Intuit to know about me.

[lustbergcpa]

Originally posted by crazysonoran
The only things that Quickbooks does .... it will watch which way you do certain tasks in quickbooks, like do you use the menu or the navigator when opening the write checks screen kind of things.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amen. They need to disclose this fact to the users. The Intuit Rep mentioned in the previous post either lied or was ignorant of this fact. This is just another example of how intrusive Intuit is to its user. Regardless, of what their intention is.

[Oleg]

When you install QB, ity may ask if you like to participate in the research. It describes the research in details. If it does not ask you, that means you're not choosen for the research. If you say YES, the spesial program will wach what areas of the progranm you are using and how often. Periodicly it wuill send that information to Intuit. IT DOES NOT WACH ANY CENCITIVE DATA!!! If you say no for that participation, it NEVER will ask you again and it's not going to collect and/or send any data.
That's how it works.

[gtsally]

Originally posted by Oleg
If you say no for that participation, it NEVER will ask you again and it's not going to collect and/or send any data.
That's how it works.

So, if I read your post correctly, it is installed even if you say NO, just not activated? Well, that really comforts me. There are a lot of Daves out there that, unlike our Dave, do not know the meaning of the word NO. Mail order updates sound good to me.

[crazysonoran]

Sounds like there is still a little confusion about this topic...

An example of what is tracked... when you go to write a check do you open a navigator, go to the banking menu then write checks, or do you click on the checks icon or even use the CTRL W to open up a blank check. Well either that or do you open the check register and pretend you are in Quicken. The survey only records which manner you open certain functions and which functions you use. Do you spend all day writing checks or do you only use it for payroll. It doesnt collect any details about what is on the screens just which way you get to and which screens you use. Hope I explained that in a way everyone can understand.

The reason to do this is if no one ever uses the menu to open a certain screen then it may be removed or hidden away so no one has to look at it and get confused by it.

[livelyliz]

I bought, installed and am now looking at QuickBooks Pro 2003. I don't find Gain anywhere, and it may be that the Pro version is different than plain QB. I searched for Gator and Gain and find nothing, so perhaps I'm going to be okay and not affected by it. I hope so.

Please advise if you know of another phrase or address to look for.

Many thanks!
Elizabeth

[crazysonoran]

I have installed QB's more times than I can count and have never seen any of these programs you talk about. This is proof that there are many rumors out there that spread like wildfire and misinform the public.

[adrian&clementi]

Do you know were i can get a copy of quickbooks pro 2002 or 2003 as to test it as i have version 6.0 which i'm comfy with.

[gtsally]

Originally posted by crazysonoran
This is proof that there are many rumors out there that spread like wildfire and misinform the public.

This past week, running 2004 Premier, a window popped up asking if I wanted to participate in the "survey". This is proof, to me, that this is not rumor. Now, of course, I would not have a problem with anyone counting my keystrokes, or keeping track of my accessing this feature or that; but, if "they" can do that, "they" can do anything "they" want with the info on my computer. When "they" ask for a copy of a program I have, and I say no that it only had 15 licenses and they've all been used and "they" say "that's okay, I can get around that"; or if "they" want to access something on my computer, and I say no that that is password protected, and "they" say "that's okay, I can get around that", I know enough to say get the heck out of here. But when "they" sell me tax prep software and then "they" capture every SSN on my computer when I transmit a return, how do I say get the heck out of here. .... The majority of this is above board and no problem, but what if "they" have disgruntled "they" working for them? Where does that leave my clients? Where does that leave any of us. So, sure, come on in and take a look around, take whatever I have that you may want, anything...I don't care...take it all.

Okay, I have had my rant for today!

[Grumpy]

Originally posted by adrian&clementi
Do you know were i can get a copy of quickbooks pro 2002 or 2003 as to test it as i have version 6.0 which i'm comfy with.

They offer free trials at www.quickbooks.com