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33 replies

The Gathering Storm

cameracameraMember
Some of you may have been following:

>>Major Problem with AS and Zone Alarm <<


This discussion raises two very serious issues:

1. Does using AS pose a security threat to our ebay passwords ?

>>Nobby - March 22nd<<
quote:
After using "secure" login to Auction Sniper my firewall (ZoneAlarm) alerts that my password is being passed as clear text. For every action taken within Auction Sniper the "clear text password" alerts are given.


2. Is AS as a company indifferent to the needs of its customers? Are we being taken for granted?

>>Region 2 - March 22nd<<

quote:
If you examine this forum closely (and maybe a bit cynically!) it's a selling aid for AS. With a product that works well and a band of supporters standing around cheering on the forum AS cannot go wrong. It's a continually updating mass of testimonials praising their product.

My point - why would AS want to invest anymore time in help or FAQs when the forum does the work for them

Perhaps you would like to comment and I would be interested in Sarah B's response, in particular, to the total official indifference by AS to the serious concerns raised by Last Bidder, Sgmax, Nobby, grumpycrab. Even if they completely misunderstand the situation as bjones9942:

>>pointed out here<<

surely AS support owes us all a duty to clarify the issue

[This message was edited by Camera Collector on March 25, 2004 at 04:00 PM.]
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Original Post

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B bjones9942Member
Mrs. M - you are correct. I use ZoneAlarm and don't get these warnings. I have examined my logs, and there is nothing there either.

Do we deserve an answer to this problem that a couple of users have had? Possibly, but certainly not until support has had an opportunity to investigate that there actually *IS* a problem.

I also note that those complaining have strikingly similar writing styles. I don't want to go back to that 'You're really bob, aren't you bill!' banter, but I remain a little wary.

I've also learned over the years (since 1977 - I'm definately NOT computer stupid) not to jump when someone screams fire. Lord knows how many viruses I would have installed on my computer if I followed every email warning I've gotten! I'm also not too apt to jump when I post a response asking for more information only to be ignored, and Mrs. M posts suggestions only to encounter resistance. For now I'm putting these messages in the same place I put the advertisements that keep popping up. When my computers tell me there's a problem I will research it and file with support if necessary. When other people ask for help in the forum I will give it if I feel competent to do so. If the posters of this topic want to post something more than 'AS isn't secure, run for your lives' I'll give them a little more credence.

Mother Mary Says, 'HONESTLY! you're just ruint!'
puppyraiserpuppyraiserMember
Fuel to the fire?

I've started using something called Freedom. One feature (I don't often use) is called Keyword Alert. I've been playing with it the last few days. It's more for controlling what type information leaves your computer than security alerts... for example if I have it monitor my eBay password, it will alert me every time the password is sent, whether it's secure or not.

I used to sign in to AS with remember me. I've also noticed eBay password being sent (once or twice, but not more) for every page displayed. I'm using IE v6, not the AS browser, and since the 'lock' is off I have to assume it's not secure.

I've also noticed... when switching to the forum, my eBay password is still being sent, even though my ID and password are different at the forum site. The only way the alert will not be triggered is to sign off AS before coming to the forum.

cameracameraMember
quote:
I also note that those complaining have strikingly similar writing styles.


Perhaps I am too trusting, but I have left my wallet in a phone box on three occasions and got it back each time, so yes, I do accept people at face value and believe they are honest.

I think Gary is perfectly genuine in his concerns - what is the point of raising them otherwise?

Actually what has amazed me about all this is that you all confess to having Zone Alarm! I took a look at it and it seems just another misspent $49 worth! Why are you all so worried? Is the net such a threatening place ? I get 20 hoax emails a day with virus carrying attachments (the penalty of publishing an email address on a web site) but all one does is press the delete key.

I know only too well its possible to get paranoid about anything!
eg.
You are driving along at 80 mph in heavy rain. The windscreen wiper in front of you flies off! Big trouble - agreed?

When was the last time you had the springs that hold the wiper blades in place on your windscreen checked? Answer this truthfully now!

I mean if we are going to question every poster's identity, what about this scenario to keep you going?

The reason why there was no response is that Sara B and her partner run AS from their Garden Shed and now that it has grown so popular, find it difficult to monitor what's going on, so they have asked their kind Auntie (Mrs M) to keep an eye on things for them!

(Before you reach for your solicitors Sara B or Mrs M, this is just a fairy story!)

[This message was edited by Camera Collector on March 26, 2004 at 02:23 AM.]
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mrsmmrsmMember
Camera, you are silly! Plain and simple!! Roll Eyes
Actually, I have zone alarm because one of my kids put it on. And, I am sure it is in the eyes of the beholder what is or is not a good investment! I personally had my hard drive destroyed a few years back by a virus and it was NOT because I didn't delete my unknown email!!
I wish I were part of the A S workings, darlin', but sorry to say, I don't know any of them! Roll Eyes
Camera, if you think it is such a poorly run outfit {out of a shed), why are you here, may I ask? There are plenty of sniping companies out there. Or, of course, you might go out to your own shed and start your very, very own! Wink

C chatterMember
I also noticed that the writing styles are similar and have made the appropriate inference from that. As for why someone would raise such an issue if it were not true, I do not know obviously, but I have been on many forums where people came in and posted various warnings with the apparent intent to cause a stir, gain attention, whatever. Who knows? Confused
cameracameraMember
Sometimes I think the language divide between us is wider than the Atlantic!

Mrs M, it was a tongue in cheek bit of drivel! I did say it was a fairy story and in no way am I getting at your purchase of computer safeguarding software! From one who has just bought his 141st camera (for $2 I might add) who am I to question any one else's spending habits!

If I am to speak plainly and I will now, then I do risk causing some people offence. However it is time to make a few points quite directly.

The idea behind AS is brilliant. I gather it wasn't their idea, but their variant of it is well executed and is exactly what I and millions of other users of ebay want. It frees us from our computers, allowing us to bid automatically where we formerly had to get up in the wee hours to participate in an auction ending in a far off land. As an extremely valuable side effect, it also saves us a lot of money, because we no longer participate in bidding wars

The company is well run and seems better organised and resourced than the others (if Sara B's latest posting is to be believed)

However, its very success could be its downfall.
I think it has over extended itself and like many small (hence my reference to the Garden Shed) companies finds that it cannot be all things to all people. At the moment, its achilles heel is its attitude towards its customers.

I think Region2 has hit the nail upon the head, it has become far too reliant upon its customer/ supporters to rescue its poorly performing support department. If it were not for the likes of ten or twelve of you, AS would not be where it is today. For example, they should be paying you Mrs M, for the help you give them - or at the very least allow you to snipe completely free. In monetary terms, you and the other four or five frequent question answerers are worth at least one full time support staff.

If they don't want a hostile press in these forums (and they have been taking a battering recently) then they must put their house in order.
I have no complaint, for I have never asked them a question! However, if you had all your questions closed, without the courtesy of an answer, I too would be hopping mad. That brings me to my final point, Sara B practically told that unhappy sniper to "go take a jump ..." Frankly, that is no way to gain new customers.

There, I have said what I think and I hope there is no ambiguity about it!
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bartelbybartelbyMember
quote:
Do we deserve an answer to this problem that a couple of users have had?


Yes!! we do need an answer. We have seen it many a time when people who live outside .com land (yes - I know its surprising, but there some of us out there Razz ) have problems that the people in .com land dont seem to have.

AS Support seems to be on a pretty good thing here at the moment, we answer alot of their questions for them, so they dont get bombarded with all the little *usual* questions.

I believe, when there is an issue that is outside our knowledge, that AS Support HAS to reply.

If they had a helpline - could they pick and chose which questions they answered? I dont think so.

I think all legit posts in the SUPPORT thread should get some sort of input from Support. I realise that there are alot of basic questions in there that Sara wont have to answer, as the job is already done for her.

**Someone please push me off my soapbox
bartelbybartelbyMember
quote:
Actually what has amazed me about all this is that you all confess to having Zone Alarm! I took a look at it and it seems just another misspent $49 worth! Why are you all so worried?


I agree on that note, I had ZoneAlarm and after my hubby did some mighty nifty tricks that showed me how easy it was to *trick* it. I dumped it in a realy hurry.

Since then, I havent had a virus (a scar, but not a virus) and alot of people that have allll these virus protectors etc - have had virus.

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