Should I install software?

Victoria_Meldrew

I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable techies can help me - I'm a member of some survey panels and 2 of them (Lightspeed and Pinecone) have asked me to install some "unobtrusive" software. I'm wary of doing this as I had a big problem with a virus which alienrik kindly helped me with, so I don't want to mess up my computer again. Should I install or is it best not to?
Also, if you install a tool bar via the Nectar site you can earn Nectar points for searches, but when I started to do it I got a message that Firefox wouldn't allow it, so do you think there's something dodgy about this too?
Any advice gratefully accepted.

enigma52

I would create a virtual machine to run software like you mention. Then even if it's infected it cannot do any harm to your pc.

hethmar

I was also asked that but Ive decided not to.

DVardysShadow

Victoria_Meldrew wrote: »

I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable techies can help me - I'm a member of some survey panels and 2 of them (Lightspeed and Pinecone) have asked me to install some "unobtrusive" software. I'm wary of doing this as I had a big problem with a virus which alienrik kindly helped me with, so I don't want to mess up my computer again. Should I install or is it best not to?
Also, if you install a tool bar via the Nectar site you can earn Nectar points for searches, but when I started to do it I got a message that Firefox wouldn't allow it, so do you think there's something dodgy about this too?
Any advice gratefully accepted.

What does the software do? Because almost anything legitimate that they would want to do they could provide a webpage for. Personally, I would decline to install software and I would tell them that I would only be happy to work through web pages

hethmar

Its collecting information re your purchases.

the182guy

Of course you shouldn't install it because it's more than likely going to monitor your activity online and send the information off to their system.

aliEnRIK

Personally I wouldnt install them.

Id say theyre 'legit' in that theyre not actually nasty (As in trying to harm your computer). But they WILL be monitoring your usage and your computers performance will probably take a hit. You also have NO clue exactly WHAT theyre monioring, or indeed how safe it is. If I was a hacker id use such tools to get what information I could off your computer (If theyre easy to hack)
Technically speaking we're not even supposed to tyalk about 'Pinecone' on here. But I wouldnt trust them as far as I could throw them (freedom of speech there pinecone )

DVardysShadow

hethmar wrote: »

Its collecting information re your purchases.

Is that passively? I mean it just monitors everything you do rather than you actually have to enter what you have bought? I would refuse installing any software like that, never mind how much they were paying.

Victoria_Meldrew

Well the consensus seems to be not to install so I'll take your advice. Thanks all.

P.S. Do your comments apply to the Nectar toolbar also? From another forum it seems many others are installing this and getting their Nectar points.