Linking some sources would help. The only source I found that makes any attempt to figure out what Comodo is doing is
http://dottech.org/10032/paying-a-price-to-use-free-software-the-dark-side-of-comodo-products/
The others that talk about it just link to this article. The problem I have with this article is it is pure speculation as to what they are sending to their servers.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/the-dark-side-of-comodo-products.254334/#post-1548425
In that thread the admin of Wilder'sSecurity closes the thread because it is just speculation. I read Comodo's privacy policy and EULA and it doesn't look any different from any other privacy policy and EULA.
Where is your proof? If they were collecting keystrokes would the anti keystroke programs not notify you that Comodo is accessing the keyboard?
Possibly link us to these reliable sources? If you're so worried about huge data collection then why use Windows? Why use the internet?
Hello DrySun,
First of all thank you for your reply, secondly you have not been around here on MT when the whole Comodo fanboy thing started.
If you would have been here then you would know a bit more about Comodo. Comodo staff has repeatedly denied any allegations, while the truth is out there for everyone to see. Now i am not the person to debunk their marketing strategy.
I am just voicing my opinions, my experiences as a computer user and as a professional with many years of experiences (As everyone here can tell you) Its not just my word, but many of MT's best users have similar info that all leads to the same conclusion.
In regards to the EULA of Comodo..its just a piece of paper that means exactly NOTHING.
Yet i am not worried about data collection as everyone does it, the point that i was making is the difference between saying you are NOT but in the background collect all you can. I do not mind data collection as i am well aware that there is no escaping it.
Yet there is a difference between, profiling a client, and store it on a server for your own marketing strategy, or actually using the data in order to generate revenue. Specially the last part is outright harmful.
Now i do not expect you to understand what i am saying but let me try to make a small effort in showing you some stuff:
Information Collection
Personal information is collected from customers only after obtaining consent, which is obtained when customers are prompted for information when subscribing to the services, by using a Comodo website, downloading a product, or requesting further information. Personally-identifiable information is not collected when a user simply browses the website. Comodo may contact customers about offers and opportunities from Comodo or its business partners, to conduct surveys, and gather feedback. This privacy statement does not extend to any information that is beyond the control of Comodo.
In California, IP addresses are considered personally identifiable information.
In the event that third party features and functionalities are incorporated in or made available in or through Comodo products, then the policies of those third parties apply. Please visit each third party’s license agreement and privacy policy to better understand their terms of use and data collection practices.
This comes directly from their online privacy policy. Read the highlighted part.
Re-Targeting
Comodo permits the operation of a retargeting consumer marketing program, including, but not limited to, the provision of anonymous consumer information to a third-party provider of such a program. A link to the Network Advertising Initiative’s consumer opt-out page is located at
www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp and allows the consumer to opt-out of such retargeting programs.
This pretty much says it all does it not? Where did they get the data from? How about your Comodo programs, services and other applications? Also may i note that "the provision of anonymous consumer information" is not as anonymous as it sounds? Keep in mind that lets say for example google, uses IP and such do ID you, your pc/network and browser habits (AKA Profile).
So one day you a browsing the internet to buy a new car, next day Google ads show ads about cars based upon your profile.
Comodo does it exactly the same way but then less well documented, and potentially harmful.
Another one is:
Sharing
Comodo will share aggregated demographic and other information with our partners and affiliates. Information provided to Comodo will be protected by Comodo and not sold or rented to any unrelated third parties without the express consent of the information provider (Edit you already gave that when you accepted remember?), except that Comodo may disclose data to its affiliates and business partners who have established similar privacy standards, when legally obligated to do so, or if disclosure is required to protect the rights over Comodo, Comodo's customers, or the users of Comodo's services. Comodo may also share aggregate demographic data that does not contain any personally identifiable information.
Validation is an essential step in receiving a Certificate from Comodo CA. This validation may require verifying your information with a third party as described in the Comodo CPS. Comodo CA may disclose the information provided to the extent necessary to verify the certificate application
So your info will not be shared outside Comodo networks and partners..GREAT.
Problem however is that they do partner up with advertising companies and as such they are allowed to transmit your data.
Thats as far as i go with proving what already is public knowledge.
Its all in the letters...
And i am by no means trying to make Comodo look bad, or single them out..the problem is that everytime on the forum of Comodo things are being subject to censorship and things are being beaten down with a stick when people make up their own mind and encounter problems.
Comodo claims they have the best product in the world and bla bla bla thats all fine.... everyones opinion is theirs right?
But do not say you are not doing anything, and do not claim to keep your clients safe as you are yourself involved in profiling and making money based upon that profile.
Thats the issue.
Just be wise tell the world: Yes we do collect your data, we make money out of it and in return we give you a free product.
But do not hammer down every client who finds evidence of this, or makes a case out of it on their forums.
That being said ask around here on the forum there are many ex comodo users who can tell you their own stories...
This is as far as i go in providing some credible info.
Cheers
