..or is just another totally unsound conspiracy theory?

I've often wondered why p2p software and malware are so often synonomous with one another. Think about it: Most p2p programs (including the ever-lovable kazaa) come bundled with spyware that is often a mandatory install-- in some cases, removing the spyware cripples the program.

I've come to suspect that a lot of p2p is merely intended to be a spyware delivery system and that is its real purpose all along.

By dangling a carrot of free [usually illicit] content in front of users, people get greedy enough to download the p2p software and have their online activities sent back to base for marketing analysis.

I don't completely buy the this "software-is-ad-supported" explanation, either. Installing intrusive and often annoying ad software is not necessary when a more passive constantly-changing ad banner would get the job done.


What do you think?

Well, the program I use (legal purposes, not illegal, and not a torrent program) I just ad-aware the spyware and it's still fine.

Never had this problem with Shareza and Limewire [Pro... ]

I specifically use spyware-free p2p programs like KazaaLite K++ or Shareaza.

Same here. No spyware.

Luckily DC++ is neatly nonspywareish and so are 99.2% of torrents (I've got).

100% spyware free here.
I think the malware is what you get when you're stupid enough to download games and other programs.