Use an EULA AnalyzerAlthough malicious attackers are often considered the only enemies tha...

Use an EULA Analyzer

Although malicious attackers are often considered the only enemies that view users’ data without their permission, several examples of commercial software can also invade a user’s privacy by tracking or monitoring. Software companies often “bury” the approval of these actions in their end-user license agreements, or EULA. In this project, you will use tools to analyze EULA agreements.

1. Open your Web browser and enter the URL www.microsoft.com/About/Legal/EN/US/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx.

2. Under How is the software acquired?, select Pre-Installed on your computer from the computer manufacturer? from the drop-down menu.

3. Under Product Name:, select Windows 7 from the pull-down menu.

4. Under Version:, select Professional from the pull-down menu.

5. Under Language:, select English from the pull-down menu.

6. Click Go.

7. Under Search Results, click the PDF file.

8. When the File download dialog box appears, click Save to download it to your local computer.

9. When the download is complete, click Open.

10. Select the contents of the entire document by clicking CTRL+A.

11. Copy the contents of the selected text to the clipboard by clicking CTRL+C.

12. Go to the Web site www.spywareguide.com/analyze/analyzer.php.

The location of content on the Internet may change without warning. If you are no longer able to access the site through the preceding Web address, then use a search engine to search for “Spyware Guide License Analyzer”.

13. Under Title:, enter Windows 7.

14. Under Paste license here:, click in the box and then paste the contents of the clipboard by clicking CTRL+V.

15. Under Display Results as … be sure that Detailed analysis is selected.

16. Click Start Analyzer.

17. After the analysis is completed, scroll down through the document and note the instances of Reference to tracking or monitoring. Read the accompanying section. Were you aware of these agreements when you installed this software or a similar Windows operating system on your computer? Do you agree with these conditions?

18. Search the Internet for the EULA of another program that you commonly use and analyze it. Are there similar tracking or monitoring features? Do you agree with them?

19. Close all windows.