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A newer version of the Gradio SDK is available: 6.2.0

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metadata
description: Detect known spyware packages and suggest removal
tags:
  - security
  - spyware
  - privacy
  - audit
  - project
  - gitignored

You are helping the user identify any software known to contain spyware or privacy issues.

Process

  1. Check for known problematic software

    • Scan installed packages against known spyware list
    • Common categories to check:
      • Browser extensions
      • "Free" VPN applications
      • Screen recorders with telemetry
      • System "optimizers"
      • Certain proprietary drivers
  2. Check for telemetry in common applications

    • VS Code vs VSCodium (telemetry difference)
    • Ubuntu's whoopsie (error reporting)
    • Canonical's snapd telemetry
    • Google Chrome vs Chromium
  3. Network activity monitoring

    • Check for suspicious outbound connections: sudo netstat -tupn | grep ESTABLISHED
    • Identify processes making external connections
    • Suggest using wireshark or tcpdump for deeper analysis
  4. Known spyware patterns to check

    • Red Star OS components (North Korean)
    • Chinese software with known backdoors
    • Certain "free" antivirus software
    • Keyloggers disguised as utilities
    • Browser hijackers
  5. Privacy-concerning legitimate software

    • Software with excessive telemetry:
      • Ubuntu's apport (crash reporting)
      • popularity-contest
      • Some proprietary drivers
    • Suggest privacy-respecting alternatives
  6. Browser extension audit

    • Check Chrome/Firefox extension directories
    • Identify extensions with excessive permissions
    • Flag abandoned extensions (security risk)
  7. Suggest privacy-focused alternatives

    • VS Code → VSCodium
    • Chrome → Chromium or Firefox
    • Zoom → Jitsi
    • Windows telemetry remnants if dual-boot

Output

Provide a report showing:

  • Any detected spyware (with severity level)
  • Privacy-concerning software with excessive telemetry
  • Suspicious network connections
  • Recommended actions for each finding
  • Privacy-focused alternatives to suggest