Shame on Windows Secrets Newsletter

I’m a big fan of all the folks who publish the Windows Secrets Newsletter but today an article by Scott Dunn gave me chills.  Scott reviewed a number of keylogging programs under the premise of good parenting.

“Are your kids visiting sites you disapprove of, or is your schnauzer making unauthorized purchases of doggie biscuits on eBay?”

Scott did his homework on the functionality of keyloggers but neglected to understand how often these programs are used for malicious intent. In my own research, I spent a great deal of time listening to the folks at NNEDV(National Network to End Domestic Violence). If Scott had talked with anyone who deals with domestic violence he would understand just how horrible and dangerous these programs are. Their primary customers are not parents.

These programs know they’ll be used for no good and try to ease their guilt with weak warnings. They are not a replacement for proper parental supervision.  The risk and degree of pain caused by the evil use of these programs doesn’t make up for any legitimate usage.

When I was researching keyloggers to verify WinPatrol would detect them I couldn’t help but laugh at the following disclaimers.

Aside from this faux pas, I still recommend the Windows Secrets Newsletter. They’ve given some good reviews of my efforts with WinPatrol in the past. They also announced that Fred Langa is coming out of retirement and will be contributing again which was the best news in today’s newsletter.

See: Ex-Husband Gets Jail Time for Keylogger

Thanks to all my friends on Twitter who helped me figure out how to spell “faux pas”.

 

Fred Langa Announces Retirement

When Fred Langa got his first non-kit personal computer 30 years ago he was hooked. Like many of us, he used his PC knowledge to create programs he thought were needed. Fred had a natural ability to share this knowledge with others and spent most of his time teaching all of us more about our PC’s.

Fred was Editor-in-Chief of Byte Magazine which in the early days was a tech must read. He was also was instrumental in building the circulation of Windows magazine, NetGuide, and Home PC Magazine.

Freds influence became obvious to me when he told his readers know about a new version of WinPatrol some fives years ago. A few months after the release of WinPatrol PLUS Fred posted these comments in his newsletter.

“It's an interesting hybrid tool that combines a Startup/Active Tasks monitor and a way to sniff out Worms, Trojan horses, Cookies, Adware, Spyware and other malicious programs. Now, there's a new version…”

The resulting spike in PLUS membership was due this simple mention in the Fred Langa Newsletter. It also resulted in future mentions in other publications because of all the experts who read his column.

Fred announced his retirement today but instead of reflecting back and bragging about his accomplishments, he shared a summary of what he’s learned over the last three decades. Read Freds last column in the free version of the Windows Secrets newletter at https://windowssecrets.com/comp/080501#lplus0.

It’s hard for me to imagine Fred retiring completely. I tried it once and couldn’t do it but Fred has a lot of other great interests that will keep him busy doing good things.