Introducing Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox

#1 - Marc 2009-11-24 00:47 -

I just received this today as an automatic download from Lenovo. I can't tell you what I think because it doesn't work unless I activate "online support." But it says that it will "access the Internet to tailor the user experience to [my] system."

To me that means advertising. I'm not interested in getting advertising pushed at me.

It doesn't say what information it will take from my system, whether that is one time or continuous, or what it will do with that information. I am simply not willing to dig through Lenovo's long privacy policy to find out. I also know that privacy policies can change any moment. I'm not willing to give up my personal information unless I know exactly what I'm getting in return.

Also, if I give an external website unfettered access to my computer I have to worry about intrusions by malware and other spyware. I run a firewall and antivirus software but since this program is from Lenovo I have concern that the access could be at a more basic level that would bypass those key protections.

I also don't know the benefits of the ThinkVantage Toolbox. If Lenovo wants me to accept advertising, give up all my personal information, and risk malware, then the program better be spectacular.