The dictionary defines arrogance as:

Contemptuous pride: a strong feeling of proud self-importance that
is expressed by treating other people with contempt or disregard.

In my opinion, Newtonknows.com surely fits the definition.

I was researching over at spywareinfo.com and came accross a post by a
Mike Reed who turns out to be an employee of newtonknows until near
the end of the threads on 8 Sept 2003 when he quit because his owners
wouldn't go for what he wanted them to do. What caught my attention
was a statement he had made in the beginnning of the 3 pages of
threads that followed.
He stated "...We have done a major overhaul of NewtonKnows over the
last few months and we just released a new version.

With this release, I ask again in, "Should NewtonKnows be included in
the list of nasties included in Spybot?" ... I say NO!...

Should NewtonKnows be included in the list of nasties included in
Spybot? This is when I decided to see why it was included as a nasty
and as my investigation progressed, anyone who would read the postings
and then the EULA (End User Liscence Agreements) would see just how
this company really thought of the users who would download and
install their free software along with just how much it really costs
in the long term!

From the postings what really made me more than ever want to expose
this business for what it really is, is one of the last posts made by
Mike Reed where he is quoted as stating:"...I am bound and determined
to prove that we can deliver high quality features for free, using
real target advertising and a great deal of flexibility as the revenue
source, and that we can achieve a real win/win. The desktop is prime
advertising space, like it or not it will be used. ..."

After reading the part in red is when I stopped and went to not only
the newtonknows.com site but also to their main site VIRTUMUNDO.com to
read their privacy policies and what I found would put a chill down
your spine!

From newtonknows you find this part:

5. Product Functionality.

5.1 Display of Advertising on your Computer Screen. The Product
displays content ("Content"), including advertisements, that may
appear anywhere on the screen, including over the web page you are
currently viewing, or over another software application on your
desktop. By downloading and installing the Product, you are consenting
to the display of Content by the Product in such a manner.

10. AUTOMATIC SOFTWARE UPGRADING AND AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NOTICE. After
you install the Product, Virtumundo reserves the right to
automatically add features or functions to installed Product, and/or
to add new applications to the Product, at any time, and without
notice to you. Any such update, or change may occur automatically
without your knowledge.

Here is what Vitumundo has to say:

"...1.9 Information Collected by Company's Desktop Software. Company's
desktop software (including NewtonKnows) and related services may
routinely collect the following information about individuals: (1)
error logs, (2) keywords used by the individuals in web searches, and
(3) information about the sites the individuals visit. Error log
information will be used by Company to improve the performance of the
desktop software. Other information regarding individuals may be used
for any purpose permitted by law, including to target relevant
advertising to individuals.

2.3 Targeted Advertising. The Company uses Individual Information to
target advertising to an individual. When an individual is using the
Internet, the Company uses Technology Information (see also Section
2.5 below) to associate an individual with that person's Individual
Information, and the Company attempts to show advertising for products
and services in which the person has expressed an interest in the
Surveys, indicated an interest by means of Technology Information, and
otherwise. The Company may, at its discretion, target advertising by
using email, direct mail, telephones, cell phones, and other means of
communication to provide promotional offers.

2.4 Direct Mail and Telemarketing. The Company uses Individual
Information to advertise, directly or indirectly, to individuals using
direct mail marketing or telemarketing using telephones and cell
phones.

2.5 Use of Technology Information. The Company uses Technology
Information (1) to match a person's Survey Information and Third Party
List Information to other categories of Individual Information to make
and improve profiles of individuals, (2) to track a person's online
browsing habits on the Internet, (3) to determine which areas of
Company's web sites are most frequently visited. This information
helps the Company to better understand the online habits of
individuals so that the Company can target advertising and promotions
to them...."

The next part is what should generate a wake up call to the Internet
community:

"...2.6 Profiles of Individuals. The Company uses Individual
Information to make a profile of an individual. A profile can be
created by combining Survey Information and Third Party List
Information with other sources of Individual Information such as
information obtained from public databases.

2.7 Storage of Individual Information. The Company stores the
Individual Information in a database on Company computers. Our
computers have security measures (such as a firewall) in place to
protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information
under Company's control. Notwithstanding such measures, the Company
cannot guarantee that its security measures will prevent the Company
computers from being illegally accessed, and the Individual
Information on them stolen or altered...."

To read both in full the links are given below:

newtonknows.com privacy statement: http://www.newtonknows.com/EULA.php

Virtumundo.com Privacy statement:
http://privacy.virtumundo.com/pripol.html

Also here is the link to the SWI postings:
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index....opic=9780&st=0


All that for getting a free toolbar!