Quantcast
Subscribe to magazine

Blogs

    On Your Side

  • When what seemed like a great deal turns into a big headache, Senior Associate Editor Grace Aquino is there to help.
  • Subscribe to this blog

On Your Side: Ban Pesky Webcam Software

Grace Aquino

I bought Logitech's QuickCam Messenger Webcam to communicate with family in England. After I loaded the product's driver, it corrupted my system: My e-mail and Web browser would randomly stop working. My ISP, EarthLink, said the problem was likely an ad-serving program that was included with Logitech's driver. I eventually fixed my PC and called Logitech about the issue. The company said it uses a technology called BackWeb in its software and can't change how BackWeb does certain things. But Logitech is allowing BackWeb to cause problems on people's PCs.

Philip Shone, Cumming, Georgia

On Your Side responds: Logitech uses BackWeb's technology in software called Logitech Desktop Messenger to send QuickCam (and other Logitech hardware) users pop-up alerts about software upgrades and new Logitech products, services, and special offers. The company says it does not collect personal information. To target messages, however, it collects data about system configuration and about which Logitech products are connected to the PC.

The anti-spyware utility Spybot Search & Destroy identifies Logitech Desktop Messenger as spyware. But using Spybot to remove LDM may cause problems.

To completely remove LDM, use the Windows Add/Remove program. To prevent LDM from sending you messages, go to Start, Programs, Logitech and select Desktop Messenger. Uncheck the two notifications check boxes and click Done.

Grace Aquino is a senior associate editor for PC World. You can send her e-mail at consumerwatch@pcworld.com.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Print 50% more pages than with refilled inks. Trust Original HP Inks. Hit Print Reliably.

Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Focus on Personal Productivitysponsored by Microsoft

  • Personal Finance 2.0 These free and fee-based Web services not only aggregate data from your online bank accounts, they give you tools for managing your money.
  • High-Tech Travel Tips Plenty of stories provide advice for elite mobile professionals. But what about you, the unproductive traveler?

People who read this also read:

All PC World Blogs

  • 2007 Microsoft Office Suites Comparison This paper compares and contrasts four suites of the 2007 Microsoft Office system: Microsoft Office Standard 2007, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 and Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007. This paper is intended to help organizations understand the applications and capabilities offered, and to identify the suite that best fits their needs.
  • Windows Vista Migration: The Business Proposition It's not so much a matter of "if" but "when" for most organizations regarding migration to Windows Vista. Laying the groundwork now for this migration can yield higher ROI than waiting until later. This Computerworld Technology Briefing explains it all.

Today's Special Offers