23 replies to this topic

[nerdy_chick]

This purple monkey desktop buddy is not as cuddly as he seems. When you download him, a virus is installed. On my last computer I was stupid and did not have any virus protectors installed, and it permenantly crashed. Fatal. DO NOT INSTALL BONZI BUDDY FROM BONZI.COM! Most talking buddies for your desktop do include some sort of spyware so do not download any without fully scanning.

[Nick]

I don't know about the virus part, but Bonzi was sued in a class action lawsuit in Washington State. Bonzi settled the case before it went to court. This is the page that the lawfirm has about the suit.

http://www.lukins.co...ex.php?pid=home

[nerdy_chick]

Yea I think I heard of that, where they made popups which made you think something was wrong with your computer...

[Bermy123]

Bonzi Buddy is Clnet's Download.com's most wanted (so to speak) spyware. I think I used to have Bonzi Buddy back when I had my 1st computer. Back then I didn't know what the heck a virus was and downloaded anything and everything. I remember the purple ape's head as a desktop icon though.

If whoever is responsible for knowing about viruses/spyware they should be pulled off the internet and not settle in court, it's weird...

Bermy

[Rogue298]

I think I used to have Bonzi Buddy back when I had my 1st computer. Back then I didn't know what the heck a virus was and downloaded anything and everything. I remember the purple ape's head as a desktop icon though.

yep, I had one too when I was new to the internet. I downloaded everything and anything. I'm suprised I didn't have more puter problems than I did. I cringe now thinking about how careless I was back then

[spyware fighter]

I remember that I used to have it as well as I liked being entertained by this "sweet" ape... However at some point he became such a nuisance that I simply uninstalled him. I did not notice any virus or spyware problem, but it was some three years ago I think...

Well, you absolutely must have some virus protection, that is basic, and of course a good anti-spyware program.

I guess that a lot us have learned from our own mistakes... However we should try to minimise them, if possible.

I hope that this site has helped you to resolve such problems and dilemmas!

Edited by spyware fighter, 21 June 2004 - 02:55 PM.

[wawadave]

I remember that I used to have it as well as I liked being entertained by this "sweet" ape... However at some point he became such a nuisance that I simply uninstalled him. I did not notice any virus or spyware problem, but it was some three years ago I think...

Well, you absolutely must have some virus protection, that is basic, and of course a good anti-spyware program.

I guess that a lot us have learned from our own mistakes... However we should try to minimise them, if possible.

I hope that this site has helped you to resolve such problems and dilemmas!

it got more parasitic in latter versions of it

[Lev]

I think I am quite lucky; I seem to have an inate sense that something is going to be dodgy. With a name like "Bonzi Buddy", I instantly know not to download it, not only for the reason of 'mal', but also I KNOW its going to be cr@p.

I'm also a really good judge of character

[rosso_acido]

I instantly know not to download it, not only for the reason of 'mal', but also I KNOW its going to be cr@p.

The fact that it is cr@p is included in (if not presupposed by) the reason of 'mal', though... in most cases, at least.

R.

[SpywareDestroyer]

I first heard of Bonzi Buddy when I downloaded and installed Kazaa.

[ErikAlbert]

All you need to know about this cute little monkey.
http://www.scumware....e-Applications/

[Jumper]

I remember years ago when it Bonzai first came out, a number of friends were talking about "How cute it was" and how they wanted to download it. I was talking with a friend who was a tech for Qwest at the time, he was telling me how Bonzai was full of spyware and he wouldn't even consider downloading the software. No way, no how.

[ErikAlbert]

jumper,
Frankly, I didn't know what Bonzi Buddy was in my newbie time.
My rescue was that I don't like any gadget on computers. So I never downloaded it.
MS Office has also a funny help animated character. I always switch it off.

Edited by ErikAlbert, 18 July 2004 - 01:27 PM.

[Taylor]

A while back, in my surfing, I ran across a cute
little talking desktop friend that was a green parrot named Peedy!
He read Bible verses for you! No spyware that I noticed, though! Oh, well, I'll stay away from the purple apes!

[Noone]

MS Office has also a funny help animated character. I always switch it off.

THAT INFERNAL DANCING PAPERCLIP!!!

£$*&"£$*%"&*£":@:{P@~:~@?~@:{}P$!{"£:%{"£%$P:{}"£$:}{!!!

[relinquished423]

im laughing my head off noone btw no one have you ever heard of gamemaker?

[BestThingSinceCannedBread]

im laughing my head off noone btw no one have you ever heard of gamemaker?

Yeah...what about it?

[oxonian]

Yea I think I heard of that, where they made popups which made you think something was wrong with your computer...

A while back i had a pop up warning that some Trojan was on my computer,got me worried for a while,then low and behold an advertisement promising to rid my computer of Trojans (£39)popped up--YEH! RIGHT!! sounded a bit iffy to me--just wondering how many people get caught with this fiddle

[DawsonV5]

My friend had a big battle with Bonzi Buddy. He said it was hell for him to get rid of. Fear the purple monkey

[dot_hijacked]

Oh I've always wanted to roast it's retarded brains from the first days I've had a computer. I would be surprised if there were any people who'd consider bonzai bully as their real friend to begin with.

[tarheel2]

That Purpel ape is a crazy one
i scanned and got tons of junk off this free loader

he is one crazy ape :eek:
luckly i got him wipped befor my computer had a giant crash

stay away from bonzi

[hotspire]

Do you mean "Monkey Screensaver"?

[wookie geek]

I can sadly recall my 1st experience with Bonzi Buddy. At the time it was actually a parrot rather than the monkey. I had to share one PC with the wife and son. One of them, still can't get the culprit to confess, installed that %$^%###& bird. Bleh

wg

[LiteRocket]

ahhh man bonzi buddy was the best until it gave me a virus and i was like @#% @ %@ %$%$^$ ^*^% mn i loved making say things it was fn hilarious