STATE OF PA ADOBE TAX FORMS CONTAIN AKAMIA TECHNOLOGIES SPYWARE

[David Wright Sr.]

"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in
news:YYSUh.1264$jR5.939@trnddc08:

> From: "Mark" <makolber@yahoo.com>
>
>
>|
>| I think it may be looking for updates of the DOCUMENT but not updates
>| of Adobe..
>|
>| Yes I can stop it with my firewall but then it waits about 30 seconds
>| to time out before the doc opens.
>|
>| So as a test, I let it go through one time with no actual private info
>| filled in. It contacted whatever it does, and now it doesn't try
>| anymore, so I don't know... I think it maybe checking for an updated
>| version of the document, not of Adobe, but I could be worng.
>|
>| thanks
>| Mark
>|
>
> Having used Adobe Acrobat for a number of years...
>
> You are incorrect.
>
> There is NO facility in Adobe Acrobat/Reader to update PDF files. That
> you, the user, must do.
>
> What, exactly, is the version of Adobe Reader are YOU using ?
>

I'm sorry, you are wrong. IRS form 1040x can be downloaded and updated with
Acrobat 7.0. Such a file can only be created using Adobe Professional as I
understand it.

David Wright sr.

[Murps]

David H. Lipman <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote:
> From: "Rhonda Lea Kirk" <rhondalea@gmail.com>
>
>> "Mark" <makolber@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1176752312.207411.58260@y5g2000hsa.googlegrou ps.com
>>> On Apr 16, 9:32 am, Default User <defa...@user1.invalid> wrote:
>>>> On 16 Apr 2007 06:19:46 -0700, "Mark" <makol...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> What info are they collecting when I open these Adobe tax forms
>>>>> from my local drive?
>>>>
>>>> Adobe is probably attempting to update.
>>>>
>>>>> Can I edit something in the file to stop this so I don't have to
>>>>> wait for it to time out each time I open a form?
>>>>
>>>> In Adobe 8.0, choose Help/Check for Updates... and then choose
>>>> preferences in the window that opens. Uncheck "Automatically check
>>>> for Adobe updates". If you are using anything below 8.0, you should
>>>> update your reader.
>>>>
>>>>> And I want to express my outrage about this spyware!!
>>>>
>>>> It's not spyware, but they do make it a pain in the ass to turn
>>>> auto-updates off.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the replies.
>>>
>>> I do not think it is an update issue for these reasons:
>>>
>>> 1) I have updates set for don't check automatically
>>
>> I'm not talking about it checking automatically, on a schedule.
>>
>> I'm talking about Adobe Reader trying to update itself because you're
>> online.
>>
>>> 2) This happens only with these .pdfs I downloaded from PA.
>>
>> I went to the site and tried filling in the form myself. I watched
>> TCPView the entire time, and the program never tried to connect to
>> Akamai, because my program is entirely up to date.
>>
>>> Therefore I do not think the issue is updates...
>>
>> I think it is.
>>
>>> Can I use a text or hex editor to modify the .pfd files to remove
>>> the scripting?
>>>
>>> How do I determine what information they are trying to get?
>>
>> Someone else will have to help you there, but can't you block it from
>> going out with your firewall?
>>
>
> I agree with Rhonda.

Rhonda's nice, if I did nae have a lover already I'd offer her my all.
Well some of it anyways.

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

"David Wright Sr." <dwrightsr@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9914C0F94D853nokvamli@208.49.80.253
> "David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in
> news:YYSUh.1264$jR5.939@trnddc08:
>
>> From: "Mark" <makolber@yahoo.com>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> I think it may be looking for updates of the DOCUMENT but not
>>> updates of Adobe..
>>>
>>> Yes I can stop it with my firewall but then it waits about 30
>>> seconds to time out before the doc opens.
>>>
>>> So as a test, I let it go through one time with no actual private
>>> info filled in. It contacted whatever it does, and now it doesn't
>>> try anymore, so I don't know... I think it maybe checking for an
>>> updated version of the document, not of Adobe, but I could be worng.
>>>
>>> thanks
>>> Mark
>>>
>>
>> Having used Adobe Acrobat for a number of years...
>>
>> You are incorrect.
>>
>> There is NO facility in Adobe Acrobat/Reader to update PDF files.
>> That you, the user, must do.
>>
>> What, exactly, is the version of Adobe Reader are YOU using ?
>>
>
> I'm sorry, you are wrong. IRS form 1040x can be downloaded and
> updated with Acrobat 7.0. Such a file can only be created using Adobe
> Professional as I understand it.

You're not talking about the same thing.

All the IRS forms (and the Pennsylvania forms) are set up so that the
blanks can be filled in and the data saved.

That's not "updating" in the sense it's being used here.

--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

You can discover what your enemy fears most by
observing the means he uses to frighten you. Eric Hoffer

[David H. Lipman]

From: "David Wright Sr." <dwrightsr@alltel.net>


| I'm sorry, you are wrong. IRS form 1040x can be downloaded and updated with
| Acrobat 7.0. Such a file can only be created using Adobe Professional as I
| understand it.
|
| David Wright sr.

No. You can download a 1040x form from the IRS and EDIT the form and save data with the
form. There is NO capability within the Acrobat software to check for newer version of PDF
Files on the Internet and subsequently download them.

I believe you are confusing the ability to edit an Adobe FDF Form with updating it in
reference to a version of the form.

Take for example the US Gov't. Standard Form (SF) number 2822 (SF-2822),
There is no facility in the Acrobat or Reader software to check what version of the PDF Form
is being used such as January 2002 or later.

As for the editing capability, that would depend on the settings set into the form when it
was created with Adobe Acrobat. Some PDF files can be edited and data saved within the PDF
file using Adobe Reader. Such settings can be viewed; Document Properties --> security.

What Mark is experiencing is the Adobe software connecting to the Internet. A major reason
is teh version of Adobe Reader checking to see if theere are updates. Then it will download
the Adobe Updater (yuck) which would download an update (such as Adober Reader v7.09) and
install it. The are other reasons why Adobe Reader may contact the Internet depending on
the version of software and the settings. However NONE are realtive to privacy and data
concerns. The concerns that one may have with adobe in the vulnerabilities that may exist
in a particular version (such as Cross-Site Scripting [XSS])or the vulnerabilitiy noted in
AdobeUpdater v2.2.




--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

[Mark]

On Apr 16, 6:25 pm, "David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nosp...@Verizon.Net>
wrote:
> From: "David Wright Sr." <dwrigh...@alltel.net>
>
> | I'm sorry, you are wrong. IRS form 1040x can be downloaded and updated with
> | Acrobat 7.0. Such a file can only be created using Adobe Professional as I
> | understand it.
> |
> | David Wright sr.
>
> No. You can download a 1040x form from the IRS and EDIT the form and save data with the
> form. There is NO capability within the Acrobat software to check for newer version of PDF
> Files on the Internet and subsequently download them.
>
> I believe you are confusing the ability to edit an Adobe FDF Form with updating it in
> reference to a version of the form.
>
> Take for example the US Gov't. Standard Form (SF) number 2822 (SF-2822),
> There is no facility in the Acrobat or Reader software to check what version of the PDF Form
> is being used such as January 2002 or later.
>
> As for the editing capability, that would depend on the settings set into the form when it
> was created with Adobe Acrobat. Some PDF files can be edited and data saved within the PDF
> file using Adobe Reader. Such settings can be viewed; Document Properties --> security.
>
> What Mark is experiencing is the Adobe software connecting to the Internet. A major reason
> is teh version of Adobe Reader checking to see if theere are updates. Then it will download
> the Adobe Updater (yuck) which would download an update (such as Adober Reader v7.09) and
> install it. The are other reasons why Adobe Reader may contact the Internet depending on
> the version of software and the settings. However NONE are realtive to privacy and data
> concerns. The concerns that one may have with adobe in the vulnerabilities that may exist
> in a particular version (such as Cross-Site Scripting [XSS])or the vulnerabilitiy noted in
> AdobeUpdater v2.2.
>
> --
> Davehttp://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.htmlhttp://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

OK to answer a few questions

1) I am talking about the state of PA tax forms, not the IRS.

2) These forms are editable, you can enter the numbers and save
the .pdf to your own drive and print it later

3) I am running Adobe reader 7.0.0 12/14/2004.

4) I have Adbobe (under edit / preferences / updates) auto update (on
a schedule) turned off.

5) I notice this behaivor ONLY with these PA tax forms. I have not
seen this behavior with other .pdf docs. But then I usually do not
use .pdf fill in forms that much.

6) Is it possible that the state of PA (as well as Adobe) also uses
Akami for distribution of it's content? I don't know.

7) I'm not concerned that anyone is collecting my tax data, the
Internet contact occurs when I first open the .pdf before I enter any
data.

thanks for the replies
Mark

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Mark" <makolber@yahoo.com>


|
| OK to answer a few questions
|
| 1) I am talking about the state of PA tax forms, not the IRS.


So ? It makes absolutely NO difference.


|
| 2) These forms are editable, you can enter the numbers and save
| the .pdf to your own drive and print it later

Of course.


|
| 3) I am running Adobe reader 7.0.0 12/14/2004.


See my reply at gthe end...


|
| 4) I have Adbobe (under edit / preferences / updates) auto update (on
| a schedule) turned off.

There are other reasons for Adobe to access the Internet.

|
| 5) I notice this behaivor ONLY with these PA tax forms. I have not
| seen this behavior with other .pdf docs. But then I usually do not
| use .pdf fill in forms that much.

Faux conclusion.

|
| 6) Is it possible that the state of PA (as well as Adobe) also uses
| Akami for distribution of it's content? I don't know.


Another faux conclusion.


|
| 7) I'm not concerned that anyone is collecting my tax data, the
| Internet contact occurs when I first open the .pdf before I enter any
| data.
|
| thanks for the replies
| Mark
|

Well there 'ya go. You are using Adobe Reader v7.0

There are several updates that are needed to bring it up to v7.09

This has NOTHING to do with the PDF Form in question.

Akamai technologies creates server farms for companies. This way a company will not get
overwhelmed by millions of platforms trying to get updated or communcate back to the
company.

What YOU should be more worried about is all the vulnerabilities that you may have. You
need to remove Adobe Reader v7.00 and replace it with Adobe Reader v8.

I'll bet there are many vulnerable versions of software on your PC. If you are worried
enougf about Adobe Reader accessing the network, you should be *MORE* worried about software
vulnerabilities that can lead to exploitations and thus, malware.

Run the Secunia Software Inspector and find those vulnerable softwares and/or utilities.
http://secunia.com/software_inspector

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

[JD]

Please allow me to make two suggestions:

Update to the latest Acrobat reader or at least get all the patches for
your current version. Do this manually, at the Adobe web page:

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Tell your firewall to not let Acrobat reader dial out.

--
JD..