Kazaa
Kazaa Media Desktop (once capitalised as 'KaZaA') is a controversial peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing application commonly used to exchange MP3 music files over the Internet. It is also increasingly used to exchange movie files.
Malware Issues
Although the official Kazaa client can be downloaded free of charge, it is financed by attached malware (this is despite the "No Spyware" message displayed on the website). Sharman, Kazaa's home company, claims that the products are not adware and do not collect personal user information.
Malware installed by Kazaa includes the following:
- Altnet (adware): A distribution network for paid "gold" files.
- B3D (adware): An add-on which produces advertising popups.
- The Best Offers (adware): Tracks your browsing habits and internet usage to display advertisements similar to your interests.
- Cydoor (spyware): Collects information on the PC's surfing habits.
- InstaFinder (hijacker): Redirects the users URL typing errors to InstaFinder's web page instead of the standard MSN search page.
- New.net (hijacker): A browser plugin that lets you access several of its own unofficial Top Level Domain names (e.g. .chat and .shop). The main purpose of which is to sell domain names such as www.example.shop which is actually www.example.shop.new.net.
- RX Toolbar (spyware): This toolbar monitors all the sites the user visits with Microsoft Internet Explorer and provides links to competitors' websites.
- TopSearch (adware): Displays paid songs and media related to your search in Kazaa.
As a result of this malware, CNET's Download.com site stopped distributing Kazaa in April 2004.
Kazaa Variations
Kazaa Lite
This is an unauthorised modification of the Kazaa Media Desktop application which excludes adware and spyware and provides slightly extended functionality. It became available in April 2002. It can be downloaded free of charge, and as of mid-2005 is almost as widely used as the official Kazaa client itself. It connects to the same FastTrack network and thus allows to exchange files with all Kazaa users.
K-Lite
This is another unauthorised modification of the Kazaa Media Desktop application, which requires the user to supply the original, unpatched Kazaa Media Desktop. The program removes the malware and adds some additional functionality. K-Lite includes multiple search tabs, a custom toolbar, and autostart. It also has a download accelerator, an optional splash screen, an IP blocker and ad blocking.
Kazaa Plus
A paid-for premium version of Kazza introduced by Sharman Networks in 2003. Although the product claims to contain no spyware or malware, they are actually still present.
