Comments on: CNN installs invasive ‘enhancement’ http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/ Living with technology. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:17:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Diogenes http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-23123 Diogenes Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:17:39 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-23123 I've watched live CNN a lot during the debates and election cycle. Today when I went to watch a live broadcast, Malwarebytes picked up on the Octashape trojan and alerted me. Not sure when it was installed. Do not recall seeing anything asking me to approve it, although I allowed a Flash update this week and it may have buried approval in something I approved without reading. I’ve watched live CNN a lot during the debates and election cycle. Today when I went to watch a live broadcast, Malwarebytes picked up on the Octashape trojan and alerted me. Not sure when it was installed. Do not recall seeing anything asking me to approve it, although I allowed a Flash update this week and it may have buried approval in something I approved without reading.

]]> By: Sean http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-22289 Sean Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:22:32 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-22289 I am on a Mac. When CNN asked the question during a live stream whether I want to install this stuff, I cannot say yes, I cannot , say No. Both buttons are not responsive. So, I ended up not able to watch live video stream such as the presidential debate from a mac. I had to go to a PC, or a real TV to watch it. Get rid of that already, please. If this is Adobe's fault, then please Adobe, do something. I am on a Mac. When CNN asked the question during a live stream whether I want to install this stuff, I cannot say yes, I cannot , say No. Both buttons are not responsive. So, I ended up not able to watch live video stream such as the presidential debate from a mac. I had to go to a PC, or a real TV to watch it. Get rid of that already, please. If this is Adobe’s fault, then please Adobe, do something.

]]> By: JustMe http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-22173 JustMe Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:27:09 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-22173 Why do people go along with nonsense like this? Why is Adobe Macromedia flashplayer in on it? Adobe is not to be trusted, as we all learned long ago, with their supercookies (search for *.sol on your hard drive and then delete them!). Why do people go along with nonsense like this? Why is Adobe Macromedia flashplayer in on it? Adobe is not to be trusted, as we all learned long ago, with their supercookies (search for *.sol on your hard drive and then delete them!).

]]> By: rick http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-19362 rick Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:19:18 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-19362 when i went to uninstall, found octoshape by seaching intalls on todays date, and left clicked on "octoshape grid", it vanished and doen't even show up as having been installed. so without me uninstalling it, it no longer shows up as being in my computer. anyone got any ideas as to how to find octoshape.exe and unistall it? when i went to uninstall, found octoshape by seaching intalls on todays date, and left clicked on “octoshape grid”, it vanished and doen’t even show up as having been installed. so without me uninstalling it, it no longer shows up as being in my computer. anyone got any ideas as to how to find octoshape.exe and unistall it?

]]> By: Gewok http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-15073 Gewok Sun, 13 Mar 2011 02:37:01 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-15073 It will use your cpu and upload bandwidth - potentially even when you don't watch the video. How much it will use depends on the good will of the plug in developers. Given that this is developed specifically to use your bandwidth to reduce their cost, and allows them to build out a free, high performance, world wide video distributed system, this belief on good will is not warranted. It will use your cpu and upload bandwidth – potentially even when you don’t watch the video. How much it will use depends on the good will of the plug in developers. Given that this is developed specifically to use your bandwidth to reduce their cost, and allows them to build out a free, high performance, world wide video distributed system, this belief on good will is not warranted.

]]> By: Maggie http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-10581 Maggie Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:34:35 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-10581 This octoshape thing prevented me from watching the Jon Stewart rally. A sign came up ASKING if I wanted to install it and when I clicked on no, the sign stayed there and I could not watch sanything. I am done with CNN. This octoshape thing prevented me from watching the Jon Stewart rally. A sign came up ASKING if I wanted to install it and when I clicked on no, the sign stayed there and I could not watch sanything. I am done with CNN.

]]> By: Don Andersend http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-9919 Don Andersend Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:34:09 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-9919 I wasn't required to ok anything to get a live feed from CNN for Obama's Backyard chat in Des Moines today. I just noticed it as using a lot of memory when I looked in the Tack Manager, and did a search on the name and came here. I just deleted it in Add/Remove Programs. I thought it was taking a long time for the live feed to load, but apparently that was because of the time it was taking for the program to download. I wasn’t required to ok anything to get a live feed from CNN for Obama’s Backyard chat in Des Moines today. I just noticed it as using a lot of memory when I looked in the Tack Manager, and did a search on the name and came here. I just deleted it in Add/Remove Programs. I thought it was taking a long time for the live feed to load, but apparently that was because of the time it was taking for the program to download.

]]> By: Jim http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-6793 Jim Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:27:23 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-6793 I have seen exactly what Octoshape can do to a large ISP. We have multi-gig connections and have seen Octoshape utilize as much as 45% of our outbound as noted by Netflow monitoring. This has created major headaches as we have many hundreds of workstations behind ultra high speed connections. We have seen outbound data streaming at between 1.5 and 5 Mbps per workstation! This is totally unaccepatble. The end user has no idea what they are installing as most are ignorant and simply took the enhancement message at face value without considering the possibility that the software being installed could actually be something that could impact their network performance. They end up watching video feeds all day and then calling us wondering why their network is suddenly slow and why uploads are taking forever. Bottom line - CNN and other organizations using Octoshape are stealing bandwidth from end users and ISPs. We will do everything we can to block Octoshape and are in the process of notifying CNN and Octoshape that we will be holding them financially accountable for any bandwidth overage charges incurred by us directly resulting from their software. Their blatant gall is appalling. Their pilfering of bandwidth should be no more legal than some one tapping into their neighbor's cable tv feed. It is theft pure and simple. I have seen exactly what Octoshape can do to a large ISP. We have multi-gig connections and have seen Octoshape utilize as much as 45% of our outbound as noted by Netflow monitoring. This has created major headaches as we have many hundreds of workstations behind ultra high speed connections. We have seen outbound data streaming at between 1.5 and 5 Mbps per workstation! This is totally unaccepatble. The end user has no idea what they are installing as most are ignorant and simply took the enhancement message at face value without considering the possibility that the software being installed could actually be something that could impact their network performance. They end up watching video feeds all day and then calling us wondering why their network is suddenly slow and why uploads are taking forever. Bottom line – CNN and other organizations using Octoshape are stealing bandwidth from end users and ISPs. We will do everything we can to block Octoshape and are in the process of notifying CNN and Octoshape that we will be holding them financially accountable for any bandwidth overage charges incurred by us directly resulting from their software. Their blatant gall is appalling. Their pilfering of bandwidth should be no more legal than some one tapping into their neighbor’s cable tv feed. It is theft pure and simple.

]]> By: Matt http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-5121 Matt Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:30:17 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-5121 I was just prompted to install the Octoshape Grid Delivery Enhancement plug-in on another site to view a video. Before accepting, a google search brought me here. Most users are going to install it without thinking twice, or doing any homework on what it actually is...and that's the inherent problem. The EULA clearly states: 1. PERMISSION TO UTILIZE You hereby acknowledge that you understand that the Software utilizes a grid streaming technology. With grid streaming technology, parts of the video and audio stream you watch and listen to may be delivered to your personal computer system via the personal computer systems of other end users of the Software, and the personal computer system on which you install the Software may also be used to deliver parts of the video, audio, and / or data stream to other end users of the Software. Accordingly, you hereby grant permission for Octoshape and other end users of the Software to utilize and share the processor and bandwidth of your personal computer system for the limited purpose of delivering video and audio streams between you and other end users of the Software, including Octoshape. You are responsible for any telecommunication or other connectivity charges incurred through the use of the Software. But how many people do you know read EULA's? Most won't even know that their bandwidth and system resources are being sapped. Most people will read "Octoshape grid delivery enhancement" and it will make their brain hurt so much that they install it just to make the phrase go away. I was just prompted to install the Octoshape Grid Delivery Enhancement plug-in on another site to view a video. Before accepting, a google search brought me here. Most users are going to install it without thinking twice, or doing any homework on what it actually is…and that’s the inherent problem.

The EULA clearly states:

1. PERMISSION TO UTILIZE
You hereby acknowledge that you understand that the Software utilizes a grid streaming technology. With grid streaming technology, parts of the video and audio stream you watch and listen to may be delivered to your personal computer system via the personal computer systems of other end users of the Software, and the personal computer system on which you install the Software may also be used to deliver parts of the video, audio, and / or data stream to other end users of the Software. Accordingly, you hereby grant permission for Octoshape and other end users of the Software to utilize and share the processor and bandwidth of your personal computer system for the limited purpose of delivering video and audio streams between you and other end users of the Software, including Octoshape. You are responsible for any telecommunication or other connectivity charges incurred through the use of the Software.

But how many people do you know read EULA’s? Most won’t even know that their bandwidth and system resources are being sapped. Most people will read “Octoshape grid delivery enhancement” and it will make their brain hurt so much that they install it just to make the phrase go away.

]]> By: Corey Chambers on eBay http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-4416 Corey Chambers on eBay Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:36:07 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-4416 There is nothing deceptive about CNN's octoshape grid enhancement. CNN accurately describes it as offering higher quality video streams, which it does. CNN and Octoshape accurately describe the way it works as "personal computer system on which you install the Software may also be used to deliver parts of the video and audio stream to other end users." There is nothing deceptive about this. It is the new, smarter way to deliver massive video date to huge audiences on the internet. Corey Chambers on eBay There is nothing deceptive about CNN’s octoshape grid enhancement. CNN accurately describes it as offering higher quality video streams, which it does. CNN and Octoshape accurately describe the way it works as “personal computer system on which you install the Software may also be used to deliver parts of the video and audio stream to other end users.” There is nothing deceptive about this. It is the new, smarter way to deliver massive video date to huge audiences on the internet. Corey Chambers on eBay

]]> By: Eric Jacksch http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-298 Eric Jacksch Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:08:49 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-298 While I agree that the vast majority of the blame should fall to CNN as the entity deploying the software, Octoshape should protect itself by making the nature of the plug-in clear before it installs. Otherwise lots of other companies will do the same thing that CNN did, resulting in a backlash against Octoshape as well. While I agree that the vast majority of the blame should fall to CNN as the entity deploying the software, Octoshape should protect itself by making the nature of the plug-in clear before it installs. Otherwise lots of other companies will do the same thing that CNN did, resulting in a backlash against Octoshape as well.

]]> By: Maggie James http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-297 Maggie James Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:38:57 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-297 Critics have several objections, here, primarily that CNN did not properly disclose the nature of the 'enhancement and, in the critics' view, practised deceptive marketing to get end users to become part of a network, the existance of which was never explicitly disclosed to them. Critics also have a problem with CNN downloading the cost (for network bandwidth) of distributing its streams to users and their ISPs. Subscribers overwhelmingly said they thought that, by clicking OK and agreeing to the Octoshape install, they were simply signing up to view the streaming media content, not to become part of a clandestine CNN network — forever. Critics further complain that the language of the EULA was obscure and that, even if every potential CNN streaming subscriber had read it thoroughly, many would not have understood they were giving CNN and Octoshape's developers a back door into their computers. All Adobe did was allow Octoshape to develop a plugin for Flash Player. CNN foisted that technology on unsuspecting users who ended up paying (via CNN's use of their ISP connections to distribute its streams) for something they were told was free. Critics have several objections, here, primarily that CNN did not properly disclose the nature of the ‘enhancement and, in the critics’ view, practised deceptive marketing to get end users to become part of a network, the existance of which was never explicitly disclosed to them. Critics also have a problem with CNN downloading the cost (for network bandwidth) of distributing its streams to users and their ISPs. Subscribers overwhelmingly said they thought that, by clicking OK and agreeing to the Octoshape install, they were simply signing up to view the streaming media content, not to become part of a clandestine CNN network — forever. Critics further complain that the language of the EULA was obscure and that, even if every potential CNN streaming subscriber had read it thoroughly, many would not have understood they were giving CNN and Octoshape’s developers a back door into their computers.

All Adobe did was allow Octoshape to develop a plugin for Flash Player. CNN foisted that technology on unsuspecting users who ended up paying (via CNN’s use of their ISP connections to distribute its streams) for something they were told was free.

]]> By: Jim http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-296 Jim Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:58:10 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-296 John - I went and looked at this more closely.. It says Octoshape Grid Delivery Enhancement.. and you get to choose to install it or not. This seems to me a bunch of hype to bash CNN, and Adobe as you infer. I would imagine that Adobe and CNN went to great lengths to ensure this was safe and responsible. perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps it is just a bashfest. John – I went and looked at this more closely.. It says Octoshape Grid Delivery Enhancement.. and you get to choose to install it or not. This seems to me a bunch of hype to bash CNN, and Adobe as you infer. I would imagine that Adobe and CNN went to great lengths to ensure this was safe and responsible. perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps it is just a bashfest.

]]> By: john campbell http://techlifepost.com/2009/02/06/cnn-installs-invasive-streaming-%e2%80%98enhancement%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-295 john campbell Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:00:07 +0000 http://techlifepost.com/?p=2903#comment-295 adobe is the one to blame here. did you notice it is positioned as a "flash player plugin" and the installation gets kicked off from within the flash player ? as much as p2p is a valid technology for content delivery in 2009, adobe had to disclose the purpose of this plugin and not allow their flash player to act as a trojan dropper. adobe is the one to blame here.
did you notice it is positioned as a “flash player plugin” and the installation gets kicked off from within the flash player ?

as much as p2p is a valid technology for content delivery in 2009, adobe had to disclose the purpose of this plugin and not allow their flash player to act as a trojan dropper.

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