BonziBuddy

From Misc Data Digs

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BonziBuddy

Developed by: Bonzi Software, Inc.
First Released: 1999
Current Version: 4.1.2 (2004)
Type of Software: Malware

This software has revisions.

The world's safest software to ever exist, huh?
This software was (or still is) considered to be malware.
Running it could cause some unthinkable things...

Bonzi Buddy is a rather infamous desktop assistant, mainly due to deceptive ads (both for it and by it), the requests for personal information, the tracking of user activity, backdoor installations of malware, and constant alterations to the user's desktop.

It was so egregiously malicious and deceptive that the company got slapped with a class-action lawsuit and accused of violating COPPA.

Revisional Differences[edit | edit source]

The original version of Bonzi Buddy from 1999 had Peety Parrot, which was borrowed from Office 97/98. He was replaced with the now-(in)famous purple gorilla named Bonzi in May 2000.

Peety Bonzi
Dad, there's a bird in the house! What did the beaver say to the tree? It's been nice gnawing you!