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should i remove the hp backweb thing.i hear they can spy on you using that and thats got me worried allot any help will be greatly appreciated

Backweb was probably the first of the advertiser spyware. Basically, it let computer makers (or in some cases software providers) know what programs and hardware you had installed on your computer so that they could "suggest" new products you could buy from them. For example, say you tried to open a .zip file and you did not have a zip manager installed (No longer an issue with XP, but common back in the win98 days) . The next thing you know a window from product support would pop up suggesting you buy Winzip from the maker of your computer.

It is doubtful that they maintained any database on users ; more likely that backweb notified them of your trying to open files of unsupported format so they could sell you software; or of usage patterns ( just manipulating photos with the software that came with a camera so they could suggest you buy photoshop from them); and most likely all the responses were automated.

None the less; if you do not specifically like or want this feature; to make a statement that you do not approve of adware and spyware you should go into add/ remove programs and uninstall it.

http://www.hp.com/united-states/cpc/hp/updates_faq.html

What is BackWeb?

HP partnered with BackWeb Technologies to develop the 'Updates from HP' service. BackWeb is the provider of Polite® Communications technology, based in San Jose, California. If you want to learn more about BackWeb, please visit www.BackWeb.com

http://www.backweb.com/customers/hp.cfm

"By proactively delivering information and updates to our users through BackWeb's Priority Internet communication software, we expect to increase customer satisfaction."....

Every consumer who purchases an HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario automatically receives the latest hardware and software updates and other important information -- simply by logging onto the Internet.

Note how hard it is to get a straight answer from them. Have they actually suggested a driver update to you? Have they ever suggested anything free?

Note that if that were the intent; they would not need to install software on your pc for this purpose, just email you at the address you registered with the information. They could even use a simple program to just popup the update alerts without sending any information to them, but they chose backweb.

Edited by Pete_C
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