# Sure, go ahead, borrow my computer without telling me

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-go-ahead-borrow-my-computer-without-telling-me/102521>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 8, 2002, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-go-ahead-borrow-my-computer-without-telling-me/102521 "2002-04-08T17:45:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-go-ahead-borrow-my-computer-without-telling-me/102521/1 "2002-04-08T17:45:49Z")

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[News.com](http://News.com) [reports](http://news.com.com/2100-1023-875016.html) that Kazaa file-swappers were unwittingly downloading software that could turn their computers into part of a new network. Apparently, when you downloaded the file-swapping software, it also installed software that

> [@](#):
>
> has the ability to “wake up” and weld the millions of computers on which it has been installed into a new peer-to-peer network, in which each computer can talk to the other. That network, which would be controlled by Brilliant Digital, would be used to distribute content or perform complicated distributed computing tasks for Brilliant Digital’s clients.

Now, I’m not a user of file-swapping software, so I’m personally unaffected by this. BUt it does seem rather arrogant of them to sneak peer-to-peer remote-controlled software on to your system, even if they later ask you for permission to activate it.

- Rick

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-go-ahead-borrow-my-computer-without-telling-me/102521/2 "2002-04-09T01:01:57Z")

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Did anyone else assume this was going to be a rant about inconsiderate room-mates?

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**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-go-ahead-borrow-my-computer-without-telling-me/102521/3 "2002-04-09T01:09:29Z")

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It’s pretty well known in the IT industry. If you want to hack out all the spyware, check this link out:

[http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/5077/new/cleankazaa.html](http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/5077/new/cleankazaa.html)

I followed their instructions, but now my Kazaa doesn’t quite work. It downloads files and at the end of the download it fails.