i would like to know if the spyware attatched to the file sharing network program KaZaa will affect my computer in a bad way. Also if there is anyway to keep kazaa from affecting any of the files in my computer, how? thank you i'm really worried.
dustin

the worst part of kazaa is newdotnet&webhancer,
read the write-up at;
http://www.cexx.org/newnet.htm and
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm

info from;
http://www.simplythebest.net/info/spyware.html

KaZaa Toptext

Sells targeted traffic based on the content of everyone's web page without having to develop any content of their
own. There is a new file sharing system launched in the wake of the MP3 war called KaZaa. When you install KaZaa
you get a spyware virus installed on your computer. Toptext takes control of your browser and makes changes to
everything you read on the Internet (like Flyswat), which qualifies it as a hacking program as well. It changes the way
you'll browse forever.

NOTE: the latest version of this program also installs the following spyware agents: Cydoor, Webhancer and
Newdotnet.

TopText operates with a browser to highlight words on every web page, inserting a yellow background behind
keywords that have been purchased through their media sales company eZula, Inc. If a web user clicks on one of
those yellow highlighted words on a web page, the user is sent to the site of the company paying the most that day
for each click-through. If a user whose browser is infected with TopText visits your web site, they will be offered links
to competitor's web sites for every keyword they find on your site for which they have a buyer.

This is not much different from the Smart Tags system that Microsoft announced for their Windows XP browser.
Media and webmaster outrage caused Microsoft to cancel the release of that feature, for the time being that is.
Several download web sites are actively helping this kind of virus to spread, as long as it pays, I guess.
SimplytheBest.net does not. We don't like this invasion of privacy and will not in any way assist in spreading the use
of this program. This spyware agent is very hard to get rid of so your best option is to never download it in the first
place. Look for alternatives instead that offer the same functionality without the spyware agent.

You can remove EZula instances from the Registry:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\EZulaBoot.InstallCtrl.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\EZulaBoot.InstallCtrl.1
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\EZulaBootExe.InstallCtrl
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\EZulaBootExe.InstallCtrl.1.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\AppID\eZulaBootExe.EXE
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\AppID\{C0335198-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{3D7247D1-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{C0335197-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution
Units\{3D7247DE-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ModuleUsage\C:/WINDOWS/Downloaded
Program Files/eZulaBoot.dll

And in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Doc Find Spec MRU you'll
find an entry for EZulaboot.

And from your harddisk:

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\InstallCtrl.class, which mentions two files it depends on ezulaboot.dll and
ezulaboot.inf.
C:\WINDOWS\eZulains.exe
C:\WINDOWS\APPLOG\ezulains.lgc

You can use AD-aware to get rid of Toptext, but it will cause problems with your Internet connection and so forth.
Best way to go is not to download and install ANY spyware. It's getting more difficult to get rid of them and even to
find them. After using AD-aware you can double check the Registry by doing a Find for eZula.

You can also visit the WhirlyWiryWeb.com web site for more information on eZula and Toptext. They also feature a
script which checks if you have Toptext installed and a complete Toptext removal guide.

Users wanting similar functionality are advised to download Morpheus 1.3 (uninstall 1.2 first) instead. Get it here.
NOTE: we are hearing rumors that Morpheus contains spyware agents as well. We'll be investigating this and will
post any findings here as soon as we can confirm the rumors.

I run KaZaa and have not seen any "abnormal" activity. The only files outside of the application that your KaZaa account can see is the shared folder that you setup when you created the account. Even in that folder you can choose not to share a file. I don't think I would let it do the search for media to share.

Ps. If you don't have one already, you need to get a firewall up and running on your system.

If you are asked to install any software outside Kazaa, dont install. I dont use Kazaa so i dont know it. But if it is like Audiogalaxy, which ask to istall some nasties such as Webhancer, Gator, BuddyBonzi, dont isnatll it. Just install the software or the core u need it.

I use kazaa & I've found that AD-aware detects 7 objects - cookies I guess they are-kazaa will not function if you clear them all,there is a cydoor item "clint.dll" - this is the only one that's needed for kazaa to operate & with a firewall & popup stopper I don't notice anything malicious or intrusive at all.I don't see that it's anything to get wound up about(I havn't seen any highlighted links in any browsers either)Nothing ventured Nothing gained I reckon

forgot to mention,kazaa will reinstall the spyware every time you open the media desktop-so I just run AD-aware afterwards everytime

yep i guarantee morpheus has spyware in it

You need the clint.dll to operate Kazaa although Im not sure about the new version (1.3.3). But you can actually get a dummy clint.dll and install it into the program folder and it will work perfectly and never report back to its evil servers again.

Theres also some trojan on there Im told but as of January 4, 2002, KaZaA has issued a new uninfected version. Go to www.kazaa.com/en/dlder.htm for more information and a link to a utility download that will remove all traces of the W32.DlDer.Trojan.

If yer wondering about other programs like Morpheus try plugging them in here http://www.tom-cat.com/spybase/spylist.html and itll tell you what they have and what to do.

Also check out http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm which is like the best resource online for keeping up with and dealing with spyware and other malicious crap that can sneak onto you computer.