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===Adware or spyware===
===Adware or spyware===
A number of sources identify BonziBuddy as spyware, a claim the company disputes. In 2002 an article in Consumer Reports ''Web Watch'' labelled BonziBuddy as [[spyware]], stating that it contains a ''Backdoor Santa'' in that it collects information from users. Among the activities the program is said to engage in include constantly resetting the user's [[web browser]] [[homepage]] to bonzi.com without the user's permission, prompting and tracking various information about the user, and serving advertisements.<ref name="barrett2002">{{cite web
A number of sources identify BonziBuddy as spyware, a claim the company disputes.<ref name=AAA>{{cite news |url= http://www.spywareloop.com/news/bonzibuddy|title= BonziBuddyin SpyWareLoop.com|author= Vincentas |newspaper=''Spyware Loop'' |date=16 July 2013 |accessdate=27 July 2013}}</ref> In 2002 an article in Consumer Reports ''Web Watch'' labelled BonziBuddy as [[spyware]], stating that it contains a ''Backdoor Santa'' in that it collects information from users. Among the activities the program is said to engage in include constantly resetting the user's [[web browser]] [[homepage]] to bonzi.com without the user's permission, prompting and tracking various information about the user, and serving advertisements.<ref name="barrett2002">{{cite web
|url=http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/dynamic/privacy-investigations-categories-spy.cfm
|url=http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/dynamic/privacy-investigations-categories-spy.cfm
|title=Five Major Categories of Spyware
|title=Five Major Categories of Spyware

Revision as of 19:57, 26 July 2013

BonziBuddy
Developer(s)Bonzi Software
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeAdware, spyware
LicenseCustom EULA

BonziBuddy was an on-screen "intelligent" software agent from Bonzi Software, released in 1999 and discontinued in 2004. The official website stated that the software would help a user surf the Internet by using Microsoft Agent technology. In 1999, the software used a green parrot called Peedy licensed from Microsoft, and in later versions, Bonzi Software made their own fictional character, a purple gorilla. The on-screen agent would tell jokes, facts, manage downloading using his download manager, sing songs and other functions. The user would command the character by right clicking on the character's stomach on which a menu would appear.

BonziBuddy was predominantly a piece of adware, though claims of spyware capabilities have been made against it.[1] Bonzi's homepage remained open after the discontinuation of BonziBuddy and the website disappeared at the end of 2008.

Overview

The software used Microsoft Agent technology similar to Office Assistant,[2] and originally sported Peedy, a green parrot character before becoming the purple gorilla.[3] The software "interacts with users while they are online, providing shopping advice, jokes, and trivia."[4] Bonzi used the voice called Sidney from the Lernout and Hauspie TTS Package for Microsoft Speech API 4.0.

The official website for the application quoted the program as:

He will explore the Internet with you as your very own friend and sidekick! He can talk, walk, joke, browse, search, e-mail, and download like no other friend you've ever had! He even has the ability to compare prices on the products you love and help you save money! Best of all, he's FREE! [5]

The initial program was free, however, many functions required the purchase of add-ons.

Release history

Below is a summary of the releases of BonziBuddy and how they have changed. During 2005, BonziBuddy was no longer available.

Title Version Changes Released
BonziBuddy 1.0.0 First version originally with Microsoft's green parrot, Peedy. 1999
BonziBuddy 2.0.0.5 Updated menu, added hotkey for quiet mode. 2000
BonziBuddy 2.0.0.6 Downloadable update. 2000
BonziBuddy 3.0.0.2 Last Peedy update. When 3.5 update was available, Peedy would ask if the user would like to meet a new friend called Bonzi. 2000
BonziBuddy 3.5.0 A purple gorilla named Bonzi. New BonziWorld Menu. Bonzi's entrance from surf board. New sound effects and animations. New jungle-like interface added. 2000
BonziBuddy 3.7.1 New functions such as "Save You Money!" or "Check For Virus Alerts". Depending on next versions it might reset the homepage to www.bonzi.com and install other adware/spyware supported products. 2001
BonziBuddy 4.0.0.5 Mainly Bug Fixes? 2004
BonziBuddy 4.1.9 Removal of the BonziWorld menu and went back to the menu since 2.0. Bonzi's entrance swings from vine. 2004
BonziBuddy 4.1.12 Mainly Bug Fixes. Last Known version before Bonzi Software went out of business. 2004

Criticism

In April 2007, PCWorld readers voted Bonzi Buddy 6th on a list of "the top 10 most annoying tech products". One reader was quoted as criticizing the program because it "kept popping up and obscuring things you needed to see."[6]

One of the last newspapers to write about BonziBuddy while it was still in distribution described it as spyware and a "scourge of the Internet".[7] Another article found in 2006 on the BusinessWeek website described BonziBuddy as "the unbelievably annoying spyware trojan horse".[8]

Adware or spyware

A number of sources identify BonziBuddy as spyware, a claim the company disputes.[9] In 2002 an article in Consumer Reports Web Watch labelled BonziBuddy as spyware, stating that it contains a Backdoor Santa in that it collects information from users. Among the activities the program is said to engage in include constantly resetting the user's web browser homepage to bonzi.com without the user's permission, prompting and tracking various information about the user, and serving advertisements.[10]

The Spyware Removal Database at Safer Networking (makers of Spybot – Search & Destroy) states "BonziBuddy is an Internet Explorer toolbar that may change your web browser settings, change your home page, and launch pop-up advertisements while tracking your web browsing habits."

Spyware Guide's entry on the program states that it is adware.[11]

Anti-virus company Trend Micro classifies the software as adware in their spyware/grayware listings, but not malware.[12][13]

Anti-virus company Symantec classifies BonziBuddy as Adware.[14]

There were two legal cases about the software.

  • Internetnews.com reported the settlement of a class action suit on May 27, 2003. Originally brought against Bonzi Software on December 4, 2002, the suit accused Bonzi of using its banner advertisements to deceptively imitate Windows computer alerts, alerting the user that their IP address is being broadcast. In the settlement, Bonzi agreed to modify their ads so that they looked less like Windows dialog boxes and more like advertisements.[15][16]
  • On February 18, 2004, the Federal Trade Commission released a statement indicating that Bonzi Software, Inc. was ordered to pay $75,000 in fees, among other aspects, for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 with BonziBuddy.[4]

References

  1. ^ Geschwind, Bill (2004-08-11). "AppNote: Automating the installation and execution of Spybot Search & Destroy with ZENworks". Novell Cool Solutions. Novell. Retrieved 2007-07-14. Hotbar, Bonzi Buddy, Gator eWallet and Comet Cursors ... are all spyware-laden programs that I have encountered far too often in the field on my users' machine
  2. ^ Mark Hachman (2003-05-28). ""Bonzi Buddy" Creator Settles Suit". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
  3. ^ "Counter Spy's entry on BonziBuddy". Retrieved 2006-09-07.
  4. ^ a b "UMG Recordings, Inc. to Pay $400,000, Bonzi Software, Inc. To Pay $75,000 to Settle COPPA Civil Penalty Charges". Federal Trade Commission. 2004-02-18. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
  5. ^ Bonzi.com. Retrieved bonzi.com July 10, 2005.
  6. ^ "Your top 10 most annoying tech products". PCWorld. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  7. ^ Kladko, Brian (2004-03-21). "Prying Eyes Lurk Inside Your PC; Spyware Spawns Efforts at Control". The Gale Group, Inc. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  8. ^ "Breaking: MySpace Backlash Sighted In Mainstream Media!". Businessweek. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  9. ^ Vincentas (16 July 2013). "BonziBuddyin SpyWareLoop.com". Spyware Loop. Retrieved 27 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  10. ^ Robertson Barrett (2002-11-21). "Five Major Categories of Spyware". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
  11. ^ "Spyware Guide's entry on BonziBuddy". Retrieved 2006-09-07.
  12. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  13. ^ "ADW_BONZIBUDDY.C". Threat Encyclopedia. Trend Micro. 2004-06-08. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
  14. ^ "Adware.Bonzi". 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  15. ^ Brian Morrissey (2003-05-27). "Bonzi Settles Deceptive Ad Suit". internetnews.com. Retrieved 2003-06-06.archive.org link
  16. ^ Brian Morrissey (2002-12-04). "Bonzi Hit With Deceptive-Ad Complaint". internetnews.com. Retrieved 2003-06-18. archive.org link
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