Dennis, if you know where to look - anything can access that information.

With well known programs such as Outlook, Eudora, or Thunderbird these settings are all stored in well known locations (obviously always in the same spot - so the legit programs know where to look).

In programmer speak, security software should hook into these common areas where personal information is stored by mainstream programs and intercept requests to read this info - so when an "untrusted" program tries to get your email address from a address book or from the windows registry - an alert should be displayed requesting "confirmation to proceed" from the user.

The shame is, it's only when your personal information is misused (sometimes only resulting in personal inconvenience rather than financial loss) that you decide that this sort of protection is important.

Many users just have no idea how much someone can learn about you (and profit from you), given a few minutes access to your hard disk - often not always in the manner you would expect.

It's just amazing how easy it is for any program to access all that info. I used to think that Windows is more protective with access permission and in this sense I'm actually "thankful" to MagicScore for demonstrating the contrary.

Loads of programs do this anyway, I am not worried, I just don't see it as spyware more as registering the software, so they can pass on to me upgrade discounts or discounts for their other titles.

Although most programs actually choose to do this via a "pull" process - where the program when run - calls home and grabs the latest news and displays it. The program never needs to supply an email address or any personally identifiable information to the central server.

Collecting an email address should be via a manual (and obvious) opt-in (and confirmation) process rather than surreptitiously reading the registry and storing or sending this information without the users full knowledge and consent.

There should also be a simple opt-out process where a user can remove any details they do not want shared.

I have 3 email programs.

Outlook express, windows live desktop mail and thunderbird.

I did notice it had registered my email address (default) I just removed it.

My reference was forthe smtp server mentioned.

Loads of programs do this anyway, I am not worried, I just don't see it as spyware more as registering the software, so they can pass on to me upgrade discounts or discounts for their other titles.

I also had these entries. It takes the details of the default Outlook Express account from the registry. Lee, you probably don't have mail accounts in OE. Editing it out the file doesn't help, it's coming back the next time you start the program.

I solved it by creating an empty bogus account and setting it as default. Not an elegant solution but I can live with it.

I wonder what the program needs it for, I'm sure there's no spying involved but if Lee's correct about that being connected to the 'News' option, why would it want the SMTP sever for?

The information I have copied form that file you have mentioned is below.

Edit it out, just don't let outbound communications from this program or inbound for the news module if it bothers you that much.

You email program and if you use an instant messenger sends more information than this program.

I do not see your other quote either 'SMTP (EMAIL) SERVER ID'.
[Tools]
Language=ENU
StartModule=0
[Reopen]
ReopenCount=11
Reopen0=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\Sonate.sfd
Reopen1=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\VerdyRigoletto.sfd
Reopen2=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\TchaykovskiySnowdrop.sfd
Reopen3=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\TchaykovskiyVals.sfd
Reopen4=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\VerdyTraviata.sfd
Reopen5=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\OldFrenchSong.sfd
Reopen6=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\AutumnLeaves.sfd
Reopen7=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\Kolybelnaya.sfd
Reopen8=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\LatvianPolka.sfd
Reopen9=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\MagicRock.sfd
Reopen10=14/04/2007,C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x\DemoFiles\MarchWoodenSoldiers.sfd
[Mail]
Address=
MailName=
[FProgramModule]
TipDate=14/04/2007
Tip=1
Bounds=-4,-4,1032,712
WindowState=wsMaximized
ToolBar=48
ToolBarMenu=12,0
ToolBarFile=12,24
ToolBarEdit=165,24
ToolBarTools=347,24
ToolBarProgram=899,24
[FSymbols]
ExAccepts=1
ExFermata=1
[Piano]
DurationPosition=3
[HelperModule]
Bounds=88,88,266,283
[MainForm]
NewsExists=1
[News]
Last=14/04/2007

WHY IS MY NAME, PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS, AND SMTP (EMAIL) SERVER ID, IN THIS PROGRAMS INI FILE?
In this folder….
C:\Program Files\MagicScore Music Software\MagicScore School 5.x
In this file….
ProgramSetting.ini
This information is private and is not given away to anyone by me.