Lexmark - spyware allegations

Lexmark has firmly denied installing spyware on its customers' computers, after allegations appeared on a Usenet newsgroup that its printers install software that sends personal information back to the company. The poster, calling himself Commander, writes on the comp.periphs.printers Usenet newsgroup, that while he was installing a new Lexmark printer, he noticed that a program called Lx_CATS had been added to the program files directory. He determined that it was programmed to collect data on his printing and scanning habits and send it to a domain owned by Lexmark at 30 day intervals. He added: "Furthermore, it is embedded into the system registry, so average users would likely never know it was there and active."

He states that Lexmark did not ask his permission to install the program, or to gather this information at any time during the installation. He adds that when he called Lexmark to complain, the company originally denied all knowledge of the program, only to cough to it when confronted with his evidence. Lexmark UK has issued a statement in response to the allegations: "Lexmark Connect is a voluntary program that is fully disclosed to all users during the installation process for a new printer. During this process, a registration screen will appear that will allow the user to choose to participate, or not participate in this program. A user MUST review this page and click "continue", or the registration process will not install the program or the printer."

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:o

I have two lexmark printers,will haveto check if i havethis on the other pc's!

Hi,

I have noticed the Lexmark program running. I removed it from the services in msconfig but it unistalls the printer! I suppose anyone like myself could find a driver for my printer from someone other than Lexmark to avoid the Spyware?

littlewill

I have a lexmark printer and i hate the software, why does it always have to run 2 or 3 processes in the background even when you dont use it :confused:

Wish there was a 3rd party alternative that was just barebones software :(

I got around the problem by not using their shoddy printers in the first place ;)

Hehe, im not buying one again, i went for that super cheap £30 version that costs less than the cartridges it takes

I like the printers themselves, and using them is an easy and painless process. The amount of software you need running though is stupid. For example atm I have LEXBCES.EXE, LEXPPS.EXE, lxbabmgr.exe and lsbabmon.exe all running.

The damn thing isnt even on let alone doing anything.

Can't find that Lx_CATS software though.

what these companies fail to see is that is IRRITATES their "customers". I hate this kind install.

If you were on Modem it would be even more irritating....once a month your PC connection goes slow for no reason :(