From: Cu Digest (tk0jut2@mvs.cso.niu.edu) Subject: Cu Digest, #9.54, Tue 8 Jul 97 Computer underground Digest Tue July 8, 1997 Volume 9 : Issue 54 ISSN 1004-042X ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 06 Jul 1997 19:01:26 -0500 (CDT) From: Bennett Haselton Subject: File 3--Solid Oak's response to "G-17 error" Source - fight-censorship@vorlon.mit.edu This is the letter that Solid Oak Software sent out to one person who wrote to them reporting a "G-17" error (the fake error that the installer gives if it detects that you have visited the Peacefire web site). He was told that he had to pay for the full version. This puts a new spin on what Milburn said in the PC World article (http://www.pcworld.com/cgi-bin/database/body.pl?ID=970702181157) when he admitted that the installer scans the user's hard drive: ""We reserve the right to say who gets to install our software for free." But even people who have visited Peacefire can install the software, as long as they pay? He also said in the article: "If Bennett Haselton is alleging that we get some kind of information sent to us, I mean that's ridiculous. If the program fails to install, I don't see how any way shape or form that would be an invasion of privacy." But judging by the response from Solid Oak tech support, if you tell them that you got the error, they discern that you have visited Peacefire and tell you something that isn't true (you can't use the program) in order to get you to pay them money. Hence, the error results in information being sent to them that you would probably rather keep private. I deleted the address of the sender and the text of his original message to avoid tipping off Solid Oak who the person actually was. From: Technical Support To: [name and address deleted -Bennett] Date: June 5, 1997 6:38 pm Subject: File 4-- Re: CYBERsitter problems I am sorry, but you will not be able to run the trial version of CYBERsitter. The retail version _will_ install properly, but the trial version will not install on your computer. On 06/05/97 6:20pm you wrote... [a message reporting the G-17 error, text deleted -Bennett] bennett@peacefire.org http://www.peacefire.org (901) 366-1452 (home) after 6 PM central time and all day on weekends (901) 922-6930 (work)