Of course there will be many questions about the MBS software, but this FAQ covers general issues surrounding this forum, who we are, and basics about legal issues, and your privacy while using the forum.
Specific questions about how the MBS software gets/got onto your PC should be asked on the
Help! My PC's infected board.
Frequently Asked Questions last updated Friday 25 January 2008
ABOUT THIS FORUM AND "THE MANAGEMENT" Who runs this forum?This forum was set up and is administered by Andy Merrett. A select group of moderators help to maintain the forum, ensuring it runs smoothly and that no-one breaks the rules.
How do I know you're not connected with Micro Bill Systems (MBS)?You only have my word that I am in no way connected to MBS. It's a criticism which has already been levelled at me because my personal page, where this issue has been discussed at length, comes up fairly highly in Google when searching for the MBS company name.
I can only suggest that you read
my original post and the comments and form your own opinion of my motives.
Additionally, I have appointed moderators who I also believe have no connection with MBS, except that they may have, or know someone who has, been 'infected' with the MBS pop-up billing software.
How do I know you won't pass my personal information onto MBS?First, see the above question.
As none of the administrators or moderators are connected with MBS, we will not be communicating with them in regard to any personal information stored or shared on this forum.
However, please be aware that any personal information you choose to make public on this forum may be picked up by anyone reading it, and may be archived on other Internet sites and search engines
even if you delete the information from this site after publishing it.
Rest assured, though, that we will never publish or pass on any personally identifiable information about any member of this forum, such as email addresses, IP addresses, etc.
You should also be aware that it would be extremely difficult for anyone to trace you from an IP address, or even an email address (unless you use your own domain name), unless you have published other personal information (such as a physical address or credit card number) along with that address.
Though most forums don't like people using free email addresses (eg Hotmail, Yahoo, etc), you are welcome to 'anonymise' yourself with such an address, and a non-identifying username, if it makes you feel safer using these forums.
How are you protecting this forum so that it doesn't get shut down?This forum is hosted on a server based in the United States, with a service provider who I believe is highly unlikely to bow to pressure from any UK company to remove or shut down the site, unless an international legal challenge is successful.
The forum is regularly backed up, and if forced to close, could be easily resurrected on another host with only minimal disruption.
Where is the forum hosted?The web server is located in the United States.
This forum is free - come on, what's the catch?The site has genuinely been set up with the intention of helping people suffering because of the MBS software. It is not our intention to profit from our members.
Apart from the minimal cost of a domain name, hosting is effectively provided for free as the forum simply sits alongside some of Andy's other web sites.
If, in the future, the forum becomes so popular that additional revenue is required to host it, we may consider other options, but will NEVER charge members to view or contribute to the forum.
ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATIONHow are you protecting my personal information?Your personal information is stored in a secure database on our US server, and backed up regularly. Please be assured that we take your privacy very seriously and will do all we reasonably can to ensure your private data is not made public, or compromised in any way.
Our web hosts have a similar policy.
We cannot 100% guarantee that a security breach could never happen, therefore - if you are worried - you are advised to provide minimal personal information that could be used to identify you. This is not meant to frighten you, merely to let you know about the reality of online data storage.
I want to share a tip about removing software on this forum. Is it safe to do so?MBS certainly don't want people sharing information about how to remove their software. However, as both sides believe the other is acting somewhat illegally, or at least unlawfully, this is a rather grey area at present.
In the spirit of sharing information, I (as the owner and administrator) am happy for you to share information on this forum relating to removing the MBS data. However, be aware that this could lead to legal threats being made from MBS's legal team towards me.
I'm happy to take the risk, but bear in mind that, if a legal challenge mounts, I may have no option but to remove information posted here.
It may be safer to post links to removal instructions on this forum, though this could still incur the wrath of MBS.
As far as I'm concerned, this forum is for the open and relatively uncensored sharing of information, and I'll fight to keep it that way.
When I log in to my admin panel, I can see my email address and I'm worried that other people can too.Yes, you will always be able to see your own email address. However, ordinary members or guests will not be able to see it unless you expressly choose to make it available.
Moderators and administrators can see your email address, but we promise never to abuse that by spamming you or passing it to other people.
If you are concerned about using a regular email address for this forum, I recommend using a more temporary email address, such as one from Hotmail or Yahoo, that cannot be easily traced to you, and can easily be deleted if needs be.
Your terms and conditions say that you log my IP address. What does that mean, who can see it, and how do I know it's safe with you?Your IP address (a set of numbers which identify the computer you're currently using to access the Internet) is available to every web site that you visit, even if it just sits in their visitor logs.
It doesn't personally identify you to us, and is set by your Internet Service Provider. We don't normally use this information. The only reason to use it is to ban someone that flagrantly and persistently breaks forum rules - for example by being abusive or threatening, posting spam, and such like.
Basically, don't worry. No one else can see your IP address, and it would be of very little use to anyone else even if they could.
ABOUT DISCUSSIONSWhy are you letting MBS employees or others who agree with MBS have their say? Are you pro-MBS?We are not pro-MBS, but in the spirit of allowing open, honest, and frank discussions, it is only fair to allow anyone with a viewpoint on MBS to have their say, providing that it does not break our rules.
MBS employees have reportedly been involved on other forums, and whilst their presence may not be popular or welcome, they have the right to participate in public forums as much as anyone else.
It is near impossible to identify legitimate credentials of anyone using a public forum. Someone may claim to be from MBS who is not. Someone may claim to be a victim when in fact they are an MBS employee, or maybe someone trying to scam people.
We let anyone have their say. Debate is fine. We'll draw the line if things become abusive.
If anyone purporting to be from MBS uses this forum to threaten members, their membership will be revoked. If this becomes a persistent problem, our "free speech to all" policy may need to be amended. If so, we'll make all members aware of this.I thought you were encouraging open and honest discussion and debate, so why did you moderate/delete my comment?Honest, open discussion, debate, and disagreement is fine, but deliberate attacks on individuals are not.
If your comment is deemed to be inflammatory or unhelpful, it will be moderated or deleted. Persistent abuse will result in termination of a member's account.
Though this is an emotive subject, we'll all get much further if we try to remain calm and respectful to each other.
UPDATE: Please also see this important post about the posting of personal information on this forum. The short rule is that we are now requesting that you
do not post any personal information here.
I want to discuss general spyware, computer viruses, phishing attacks, and so on. Can I do that here?This forum is specifically for discussing MBS software. If demand for more general discussion grows, we'll consider adding a board for it.
Please don't clutter the specific boards with non-MBS subject matter. Use the
Fun and Banter area for now.
ABOUT OTHER MEMBERSI've received legal advice from someone on the forum, should I take their advice?Be very careful acting on any advice given here in the forums. There is no easy way to prove that someone is who they say they are.
Someone could claim to be a lawyer when, in fact, they're just a well-meaning member of the public, or - worse - someone trying to scam those looking for solutions.
The
Legal Topics board is provided for general discussion, and is not a substitute for professional, face-to-face legal advice.
Tread carefully, and keep personal information close to your chest.
I installed software recommended by someone on this forum, but it's made the problem worse! What should I do?While most people here will be well-intentioned, even those who believe to have found a legitimate solution may offer advice that doesn't work for everyone.
Unfortunately, there are also those people who will peddle malicious software under the guise of being able to rid users of the MBS software.
Be very careful, ask for advice, and realise that some of the 'solutions' here carry a certain level of risk.
NEVER offer to pay anyone on this forum who claims to be able to remove the software for you. Always look for reputable companies and software first.
Someone is threatening me or being abusive to me on this forum. What can I do?Abusive behaviour in the public forums will not be tolerated.
You can report abusive private messages to a moderator, and we'll deal with it.
You can also choose to "ignore" any member who is pestering you.
No-one has the right to intimidate others on this forum, whatever their viewpoints, and it will be dealt with.
I'm worried about MBS employees signing up and trying to gain personal information from members hereYes, there's nothing to stop anyone signing up for forum membership, and in addition, guests are able to read these boards without signing up first (though they can't post, send private messages, or see personal information)
We do all we can to ensure that only genuine people become moderators - that's why there are only a few "hand picked" people.
Be very careful what you discuss, and with who. If you're concerned about sharing information privately with someone who has sent you a message, then simply ignore them or politely tell them you don't want to share personal information with them.
