Latest Skype Update: Browser Highlighter?

[Wrath Oskvro]

We all know that as of right now, Skype is the premiere program for voice chat and webcam. We also know that Skype is owned by eBay..guess what new product eBay is bundling with Skype now!

Upon getting the latest update of Skype, without any sort of notification at all, the update did a back door install of the malware known as “The Browser Highlighter”. It appears to be an extension for Mozilla Firefox, but it’s actually a stand alone program as well. Skype and eBay users, beware. They now have people in such a vice grip (or so they think) that they take the liberty in installing unwanted software on people’s computers, just to make a quick buck, from each installation of the software.


This is absolutely despicable, underhanded, but also a nice black eye given to both eBay and Skype for their unreasonable behavior. Nobody wants to have software on their computer without their permission, especially if it is potentially damaging. All of this because they wanted to make money off of their users? That doesn’t sound like a very good user experience, and it definitely isn’t customer support.

The good news is that The Browser Highlighter can be removed from most computers, via the default uninstall from the Control Panel. However, there have been reports of users not having the ability of removing it. So having that said, is Skype really worth it, when there are other programs out there that have the same features?

To see more feedback, go to the Skype Forums and see what other users have to say about this. http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=474431

[Teddy]

This is absurd!

I've heard a lot of bad things about ebay...but this is the worst of them all. I would sure in the hell not want this on my fucking computer. is there possibly a way for a petition or lawsut against ebay? I mean like this seems to be usable in the court system!

[Wrath Oskvro]

They fixed the problem, but the fact they didn't doesn't change a damn thing, about how fucking lowdown they can be.

Digsby isn't owned by ebay, but hell they're just as bad as well..Steer clear of Digsby. The messenger itself is basically malware.

[Teddy]

I'm stickin' with my MSN. I mean, like will never sell anything through ebay.

I'll just stick with the newspaper....

o_O

[Wrath Oskvro]

I love the Skype messenger itself. Great quality audio and the video, well it's not laggy and it pretty much depends on you, and not the client. That browser highlighter thing was just a bitch move. I've had the internet since I was about 7 or 8 years old, so I use AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Skype, and IRC...having that said, my main messenger is Trillian Astra right now.

[Teddy]

Well I've really only used Yahoo! and MSN.

I used Yahoo! Back when I was in middle school because that was the thing. I mainly use MSN for my daily internet use for dealing with people like yourself and Viral and Icey, etc.

I don't use it for personal use however.

[Tangaren]

Why Skype if you can also use MSN? That's a much better online communication method.