Red Sheriff

[pdescobar]

I just noticed the following Java thingy popping up on the forum pages:

<!-- START RedSheriff Customer Intelligence V4 - Java v1.1  Revision: 1.8 -->
<!-- COPYRIGHT 2002 Red Sheriff Limited -->
<script language="JavaScript"><!--
var pCid="us_us-ugo_network-telefragged";
var w0=1;
var refR=escape(document.referrer);
if (refR.length>=252) refR=refR.substring(0,252)+"...";
//--></script>
<script language="JavaScript1.1"><!--
var w0=0;
//--></script>
<script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://server-us.imrworldwide.com/a1.js">
</script>
<script language="JavaScript"><!--
if(w0){
var imgN='<img src="http://server-us.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/count?ref='+
        refR+'&cid='+pCid+'" width=1 height=1>';
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Mac')!=-1){document.write(imgN);
}else{
        document.write('<applet code="Measure.class" '+
        'codebase="http://server-us.imrworldwide.com/"'+'width=1 height=2>'+
        '<param name="ref" value="'+refR+'">'+'<param name="cid" value="'+pCid+
        '"><textflow>'+imgN+'</textflow></applet>');
        }
}
document.write("<COMMENT>");
//-->
</script>
<noscript>
<img src="http://server-us.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/count?cid=us_us-ugo_network-telefragged" width=1 height=1>
</noscript>
</COMMENT>
<!-- END RedSheriff Customer Intelligence V4 -->

This is what they say it is:

From http://www.redsheriff.com/2.1.2.htm
The purpose of traditional server log file analysis is to monitor a server's performance, record unauthorized requests and provide information relevant to the server activity. Web server log files record files requested, IP addresses and successful downloads of files delivered from the server. Unfortunately, this system is fundamentally inaccurate for measuring user behavior as it cannot differentiate between page views coming through proxy servers, firewalls, browser caches, or even back and forward buttons.
RedSheriff has developed a more robust and accurate technology. When a web page is loaded into a browser, the instrumentation sends information to the front-end collection servers, which collect the data. This data is then passed directly to RedSheriff's back-end machines and managed via a centralized data operation. We keep track of every page view, every time, and our system ensures continuous results are made available to clients in a series of comprehensive reports

and this is what someone else says it is:

quoting http://www.cexx.org/sheriff.htm
Server-Side Spyware: Red Sheriff
Unlike most conventional spyware, imrworldwide.com's Red Sheriff is loaded as a Java applet embedded in a Web page you visit. Once loaded, it sends information about your Internet usage (how long the page took to load, how long you stayed, etc.) to the parent company, supposedly bypassing firewalls, cookie blockers and the like. A number of Internet Service Providers have begun including Red Sheriff on their start pages, which are programmed to load every time the user logs on to the Internet.

Currently, the Red Sheriff program is billed as a reporting tool to measure how visitors use a Web site, kind of like an access_log reader with some extra frills.

Previously, the Red Sheriff product page (cached) was more obscure about what kind of information was collected, suggesting access to surfing habits beyond the original Web site containing the Red Sheriff applet, and bragging of its ability to get past personal firewalls and cookie crunchers.

This applet, included with some ISP packages, causes severe slowdowns on some systems as reported in Gibson Research's grc.spyware newsgroup

I must say, it makes me uneasy and I will be blocking imrworldwide.com or doing whatever else I need to keep this from running on my machine.

 

[Octavian X]

It's just like the issue of your lack of free-speech here. We're using telefragged's server, and they have the right to abuse us in any way they wish.

 

[Jeratain]

Red Sherrif is spyware, they also put cookies in your cache, so beware. Ad Aware removes them. Dunno about Spybot or the others, but I'm sure they catch it as well.

 

[TeleFragged]

Redsheriff is used by Telefragged to monitor traffic and generate statistics so that we might better understand our audience. It has been placed here on purpose and I assure you they are a very reputable company.

-Paul

 

[pdescobar]

Originally posted by Octavian X
It's just like the issue of your lack of free-speech here. We're using telefragged's server, and they have the right to abuse us in any way they wish.

Understood. Note how I didn't request it be disabled or removed; I simply pointed out that it was there and said I would disable it locally for myself. Others can choose the level of "abuse," to use your term, they wish to subject themselves to on their own.

Originally posted by TeleFragged
Redsheriff is used by Telefragged to monitor traffic and generate statistics so that we might better understand our audience. It has been placed here on purpose and I assure you they are a very reputable company.

-Paul

Thank you for the response, Paul. I'm sure Telefragged's intentions are good, but I don't like Java applets running on my machine and tracking my browsing habits. If you will allow me some exaggeration, I also believe my local police have good intentions, but if they install a camera in my house to watch what I'm doing and I notice it, I'm gonna cover it up or turn it off. I don't mind image ads, but something like this crosses a line in my mind; I do not trust it regardless of the reputability of the company and I will do what I can to disable or circumvent it on my end. If there ever comes a time when allowing such things to run is necessary for me to participate in the forums, well, I quite like it here but I would probably choose to leave.

 

[Turner]

I understand where you're coming from, Moo-Man. Downstream is tolerable, but the upstream is where we start getting leary. And with all the virus' and trojans running around these days, you can't be too careful.

Kudos to Telefragged for being upfront about it, at least when we brought it up. Truth to tell, Paul didn't have to say anything about it. . .So thanks, Paul, for the Information.

 

[Immortal]

admirable Paul, but unfortunately i will decline such software coming onto my computer. Lord knows my family gets enough crap on this stupid thing.

 

[Hygro]

Originally posted by TeleFragged
Redsheriff is used by Telefragged to monitor traffic and generate statistics so that we might better understand our audience. It has been placed here on purpose and I assure you they are a very reputable company.

-Paul

BAHAahem..

Well I'm happy to delete it regularly with Ad-Aware