This email is just meant to be a friendly warning, a "heads up" if you
will.  Many "freeware" programs available for download on the Internet
are really "spyware (software that secretly sends your surfing habits
to a for-profit trends analysis agency)" or "adware (software downloads
and presents unwanted ads that are periodically changed)."   A new
breed of this type of program has been introduced with the Xupiter
Customizable Internet Explorer toolbar.  This program, when installed,
resets your homepage (to xupiter.com), redirects all searches made
(again, to xupiter.com), and changes the security settings for Internet
Explorer.  It may also monitor your surfing habits.  It is also very
hard to remove, as it "changes" registry settings upon each reboot.  It
will not be detected by current antivirus software, though that may
change.

Fortunately it requires the user's permission to install and is often
bundled with other "freeware" products, such as peer to peer file
swapping software.  Please, if you use freeware, read the agreement
statements before you click on "OK."  This is not to say that all
freeware is bad, there are some very good freeware products.  Certain
freeware sites (www.webattack.com or www.download.com) indicate the
type of freeware (spyware, adware, or true freeware) with each software
title.

The original analysis of the Xupiter bar can be found at:

http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,57467,00.html

Thank you,

mjw

Michael Ward, R.H.C.E.
Manager of Advanced Technologies
UT Chattanooga - CECA
615 McCallie Ave
Grote 124 Dept 4324
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-425-4764
FAX:423-425-4362
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