republican-creole
Search:  

 
 
   News
newer
story category Anti-Spyware Vendors Stop Detecting WhenU
Has WhenU wooed respected vendors?
(old news - 09:06AM Monday Feb 14 2005)
tags: spyware
Eric Howes stops by our Security forum to note a new discovery: apparently several major anti-spyware vendors have removed WhenU from their detection databases. As we've noted, Spy/Adware vendors are buying their way toward legitimacy, pushing anti-spyware vendors to weaken detection criteria in exchange for lucrative marketing deals - But AdAware? Oddly Howes finds that Aluria, the first vendor slammed for such a practice, does detect WhenU as spyware via their new Security Center 4.0.

Related:
  1. Teacher Faces Jail For Spyware Riddled Porn Spewing PC
  2. BOClean Gets a New Home, Will Be Free
  3. FTC: Jail For Spyware Merchants
  4. Kaspersky Can Call Your Crap Spyware Anything They Like
  5. Spyware By Sears
  6. Gator Finally Dies
  7. Why Is NY's AG Urging ISPs To Embrace Spyware Company?
  8. Zango (180Solutions) Closes Up Shop
Forums » Anti-Spyware Vendors Stop Detecting WhenU
view: topics flat text 
Post a:
Plldwnyrpnts

join:2003-04-19
Chicago, IL

1 edit

Adaware?

Really?

edit: Just read the post. OH WOW! I guess shady business is shady business no matter what side you're on.
Goldman

join:2002-06-21
Maumelle, AR

Re: Adaware?

Something stinks.

OceanaJones

join:2004-10-18
Suffolk, VA

If a ad ware product meets certain criteria IE authorized installs,no added spy ware, and can be easily removed using add/remove programs, then it should be de-listed. Then you just have to make sure you know what you are downloading to your computer. As long as the user is given a choice before or during installation of software that has bundled ad ware, there should be no problem and the people that make these ad ware/spy ware removal programs can concentrate on the serious threats like the new CWS infections.
masrotaj

join:2003-07-09
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Geeeze

Why not just make a good word pad or html utility if you are not really interested in getting rid of scummy spyware and adware and whatever the **** gator call's it scumware now.
Don't alienate the whole anti-spyware community by selling out to the Bad guys!!!!!
I get the whole profit thing, but if that's all they care about then they are definitely in the wrong business
John

heathcpe

join:2002-03-19
Brandon, MS

1 edit

There Goes My Confidence

I had some trust in AdAware...not any more.

DaveNJ
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

Removing Ad aware now

Well,
Its Spy Search and Destroy all the way bye bye Ad aware. Or is it Buy Adaware "and will remove from our database "
WareWolF2k

join:2000-11-14
Allentown, PA

Re: Removing Ad aware now

said by DaveNJ See Profile:

Well,
Its Spy Search and Destroy all the way bye bye Ad aware. Or is it Buy Adaware "and will remove from our database "
Spyware S&D is no better.
Install Spyware S&D.
Click "Mode / Advanced Mode".
Click "Settings / Ignore Products".
You will find four products that are set to ignore by default.

Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA

Re: Removing Ad aware now

New.net
Sidestep


DaveNJ
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
·Comcast
·Patriot Media
·Cingular Wireless

Re: Removing Ad aware now

said by Anonymous See Profile:

New.net
Sidestep


I just unchecked and ran, at least they give you the option.

MxxCon

join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:
also MySearch
hafizullah

join:2001-03-17
Flemington, NJ
My Spybot S&D was not set to ignore WhenU. Perhaps you have the old version.

Tenosis

@dynamic.cov
Hmm... I just checked Spybot (version 1.3.1TX) and there's nothing checked under "Ignore Products". Perhaps you have an older version?

Rejected One
I Suffer From Id10t Errors
Premium
join:2003-07-31
Darby, PA
clubs:

.

i hate to say it they are making ms anti-spyware look better all the time
Plldwnyrpnts

join:2003-04-19
Chicago, IL

Re: .

Maybe MS paid them off to so that MS can look better.:o
rmdir

join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL

Re: .

Once again, the almight dollar prevails over doing the right thing.
Omega_41

join:2001-03-24
Huntsville, AL

Not for long!!

"Oddly Howes finds that Aluria, the first vendor slammed for such a practice, does detect WhenU as spyware via their new Security Center 4.0."

That won't be the case by the next update if it hasn't already been removed from detection. See below

»www.whenu.com/whenu_solution.html

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast

Re: Not for long!!

They're kidding, right?

reub2000
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Evanston, IL

Solution

Don't get spyware in the first place. Either tighten up IE or use another browser. Only use GPL p2p applications.
Chodite

join:2003-08-21

Re: Solution

Haha, what world do YOU live in?

Boricua65
Oye, chico

join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico

Re: Solution

It's getting to the point where any of these programs will be rendered useless.

drkkgt
Boo
Premium
join:2003-08-26
Whittier, CA

Hey for all you Windows users, here is a handy tool from MS to help prevent viruses and such, especially for those of you who log in with an administrator account.

»msdn.microsoft.com/library/defau···2004.asp

It's not a fix all, but another helpful tool.
--
"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila."-Mitch Ratliffe
ltship

join:2002-08-11
Sturgeon Bay, WI

Is the sky falling??

how about everyone just wait and see what Lavasoft's reply is to Eric's posting on their boards before jumping off a possibly leaky ship into the pool of flaming adware / spyware / malware...

The sky is not falling... yet..
AquaBlaze
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Encino, CA

Re: Is the sky falling??

Maybe the sky isn't falling, but it's sure looking shaky at the moment.

mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

1 edit

All I can say is

WHAT THE F ADAWARE! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON OUR SIDE NOT TAKING GRUBBY DEALS FROM SCUM LIKE WHENU!!

mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY
What the hell Adaware!? You're supposed to be on OUR side not taking scummy bribes from trash like WhenU!!

Edit: Why didn't my previous fullcaps post show up earlier?

Anubis Prime

join:2001-06-01
Indianola, PA

Re: All I can say is

I am also awaiting Lavasoft's reply

mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Re: All I can say is

I hope someone posts AAW's reply here
covaro

join:2003-07-31
Abingdon, MD

Re: All I can say is

Yeah, they reply by deleting the post.
Taranis

join:2001-12-06
Mount Vernon, WA


1 edit
First Lavasoft - a mainstay of my arsenel for a couple years, along with Spybot, then Giant. All three are now apparently compromised. I just verified WareWolf's statement - ***DAMN! New.net and LSP.New.net, a real nasty one... Unbelieveable!

I use the old Giant Anti-spyware, and so far I like it, but I'll assume that it'll go the way of the Adaware and Spybot and cave to CORPORTATE GREED... already MS's beta doesn't detect as much as when Giant owned it - let's hope they do better with the final version.

I'm no MS basher, but I'm not holding my breath for MS to do the right thing.

Instead of an anti-spyware consortium, what we need is an anti-ADWARE consortium, immune from the bribes and backroom dealings and intimidation from so-called companies that call themselves "legit", with a simple Mission Statement:

"If it installs itself, with or without user permission, and serves up advertisements, we will do everything in our power to acquire the ability to detect and remove it."

I'm glad I never bought Adaware or Spybot. What a waste...

If this keeps up, I'll have separate machines, Windows PC's, off the internet to keep them immune from spyware, and Linux desktops/laptops for online browsing and e-mail.

This is why I have ad-blocking software. This is why I have a customized hosts file. This is why I block Flash. One thing perpetrates the other, however unrelated technologically-speaking.

I don't want advertisements - at all. PERIOD. Perhaps erroneously, I lump flashy banner and skyscraper ads right up therre with scumware. It's on my machine, it's annoying and I don't want it.

The best ads I've every seen online are the simple text ads that Google puts in during a search. Those I can live with. The rest can go to hell.

..bastards.
Taget

join:2004-07-29

Re: Where have all the Good Anti-Spyware Apps Gone?

Microsoft tends to be anti anyone but Microsoft. And they have enough billions that it's tough to buy them. If anything it's more likely they'd be overzealous rather than underzealous when it comes to wanting to remove stuff not written or sold by Microsoft.
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

Re: Where have all the Good Anti-Spyware Apps Gone

I think Kolla put them in that last precisely so that you COULD filter them back out again.

In other words, they're on a probation of sorts, not truly evil but not yet proven enough to be removed from the list.

»msmvps.com/donna/archive/2004/05···732.aspx

Either that, or he's joined the dark side too.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function

Mr Fuji

@sympatico.ca

Ok , so what's next now ?

Ad Aware that will bundle it's free version with Gator and Istbar ?

WhenU should NEVER have been removed from the detection list.It's still a nasty and sneaky program that is JUNK and should never be installed an any computer.

Lavasoft is asking for trouble ans backlash with this.

I really don't like this new trend and it should stop NOW

mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Re: Meh

I wonder what kind of outroar Lavasoft is getting on their forums right now...

pghviewer

join:2004-12-02
Ambridge, PA
Shady.
Ill give it one more year before none of the programs work anymore.
AquaBlaze
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Encino, CA

Re: SHADY

Either that, or you'll be forced into one particular Ad/Spyware camp, and are able to use their removal tools to keep you clean from all the others.
MASantangelo
Premium
join:2004-07-19
Pittstown, NJ

So basically... Some people pay for legitimate detection tools (I paid for, or rather, the family paid for, Ad-Aware SE Pro)and they're removing items from their detection lists?

That really irks me.

.
--
Don't Let Them Take Your Rights!

ZOverLord
Premium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN


2 edits
It very well could be the case that some formal legal suit was filed, or the threat of one has been stated.

Sadly, unless you have unlimited income it would be impossible to stop.

Another possibility is some form of a restraining order, stating that until proven otherwise, they must STOP removing XYZ.

Spybot may have the answer, let the USER uncheck anything, this way any legal problems are useless against these Sleazy companies.

IMHO, this is why Microsoft decided to get into this RANSOM game. You want to DUMP junk on a PC, pay here first!

The only hope these FREE Adware tools have to remain in the future, is to put more responsibility on the PC user, like a SELECT ALL, or like SPYBOT has now, click, unclick. This way they can save TON's of legal fees and we may actually have CLEAN PC's.

Surprised more of these people who provide these utilities have not done that yet.

Holyearth
I Like This Forum

join:2002-07-18
Atlanta, GA

1 edit

Re: Maybe there is some LEGAL pressure

It's all about the benjamins.

--------------------
www.casacertified.org

Turcoloco

@wamu.net

Re: Maybe there is some LEGAL pressure

...too soon to comment, but let me ask you all who uses one or more of these great FREE anti-spyware tools, what have you done on your part to support their existence?
I am not rich nor has extra cash but every few months or so, I donate $5-$10 to the makers of SpywareBlaster, Spybot s&d, ToolbarCop and couple of other programs (not necessarily anti-spyware tools but help spot them, 1) StartupControl Panel by Mike Lin, ProcessExplorer by SysInternals.com) I use to fight against spyware infections.

I personally, do not get infected with spyware, the weakest link is always the user. If your browser settings are configured properly, system and browser is patched up, pop-ups are blocked, if you do not go to deep, dark waters when you are surfing and never install/run applications from unknown/ not reputable sources, then I do not see how anyone could get infected.

mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T DSL Service


1 edit
Eric'd post on the Lavasoft forum was deleted and not answered by Lavasoft. Not the response I'd expect from a company with any integrity.

Edit: This just appeared on the Lavasoft forum from Corrine:

"Sorry, there was a bit of a snafu when consolidating threads on the same subject into one topic. I know, of all threads to have a mixup on. However, I assure you that it was totally unintentional. In the event that it cannot be properly restored, following is a copy from DSLR that was copy/pasted here. Of course the posters are welcome to repost.

Our appology for any confusion. "
--
"Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too." - Voltaire
jlsjrf29

join:2002-05-12
San Jose, CA

Re: Lavasoft Deleted Eric's Thread

What Can i say ... I smell tons of shit in the air with these companies.
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

Edit: It's a day later and STILL no explanation from Lavasoft for all the failures.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function
hensepens

join:2001-08-02
2131 XA

Re: Lavasoft Deleted Eric's Thread

Got this quote from a Dutch forum. It's an answer on the question regarding WHENU:

Hi all,

First and foremost, Lavasoft does not have collaborations with any company that has or will have content detected by Ad-Aware. WhenU was indeed removed from our database by research in the last definition file. This was due to WhenU not scoring more than 2 TAC points at the time. In case it turns out that the removal was incorrect, WhenU will naturally be reintroduced to the database.

Thanks Chris Fry
www.lavasoft.de

This quote originates from »www.antispywareoffensief.nl/foru···ost12872
and was posted February 15

See also »www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.ph···ry389520
DeadTaco

join:2004-04-15
Reno, NV

Lavasoft's reply on the forums is that WhenU isn't considered a high enough threat to have in the definitions anymore. Oddly enough, Microsoft has it set to a threat level of HIGH.

Go figure.

I still think there's something shady going on here.

Geewow

@xx.dal

Re: Dumb reply

Mac users get a kick out of all the stuff PC users put up with. Maybe the Mac users are on to something...
DeadTaco

join:2004-04-15
Reno, NV

Re: Dumb reply

Well if 90% of the computer market was Macintosh computers, then they'd be the ones whining. Spyware targets the majority, and unfortunately for us...we're the target.
cstumpf

join:2004-02-07
Buena Park, CA

Re: Dumb reply

Yeah, but spyware and adware type programs can't install on Mac OSX without the user getting prompted for the admin password. And there are very, very few legitmate programs that actually need to be installed with that level of permission. I'm not saying OSX is perfect, but if it did have the market share that MS Windows has now, the spyware/adware problem would not be much worse than it currently is on OSX. The architecture of the OS is much, much more secure because it is basically BSD Unix. Try and pull the windows spyware crap on any unix platform and you will find that it is next to impossible to get the stuff installed without Root access and even if you can get it installed, getting it to propogate to other machines is even more difficult. Smarter geeks than these spyware punks have been hacking on unix for decades and tightening up security on it. It's not 100% hack proof, but compared to Windows, it's Fort Knox. Mac OSX has inherited all this robustness.

punkRoy

@centurytel.net

This sounds like the beginning of some true software wars.

While researching this topic I found an interestingly informed comment here:

»www.wilderssecurity.com/archive/···981.html

The author implied that part of WhenU's s/w (knowingly or not) deleted other software that was 'hostile' to it. (AdAware)

I'm just using my imagination here. If anti-adware can team up with adware... what's to prevent viruses from altering their own definitions in your av s/w? How many newbies will notice when a particularly useful app deletes its competition off their hard drives and redirects the action to itself? I can easily imagine 'innovative' new ware using the techniques made famous by CWS, dyfuca, etc., etc. One of the mottos of the computer industry is "whatever works". Companies advertise because IT WORKS.

The spyware problem is *not* going to get better. As more functionality becomes available, it will be exploited. As more kiddies get access, more will try their hand at a little havoc. The makers of mayhem, unchecked, will only hone their skills. Hell, other countries may even be financing this kind of thing as covert retribution towards 'the west'. I dunno. MS leaves gaping security holes open in all versions of their software. They even create new ones. Soon "Media Player" will scan your HD for pirated or copied music... and probably delete it. "Welcome to Windows"...

The more accessible the technology becomes, the more the dregs of humanity will use it against 'the world'. Having been online for more than 12 years, I have experienced the devolution myself. I don't even feel like the things I just wrote are pessimistic. Let me put it another way... think about crowd control (aka security) in a bar that can only hold twenty people. Then think about the crowd control in a stadium that seats five million, and is constantly growing to accept more. You have to watch out for yourself.

BTW, FYI, I use spybot s&d religiously, it has been able to fix all of my problems except CWS variants, which I had to dig out myself. The latest version has NO products ignored by default, there's a whole CATEGORY for LSP (New.Net, etc). Also, I did verify the above link to Lavasoft. I have tried AdAware several times but I do not use it because it was always unable to get rid of my pertinent infections.

vinnent

@ntl.c

so ...these kind of companies who install stuff silently and according to courts there allowed to do it ?

isnt that breaking Privacy laws....? because what these companies exactly do is "observe marketing habits"

in other words,it's like 1 guy sneaking up to u and stalking u on the street while ur shopping......

absolute balls it is

vinnent

@ntl.c

Re: RE:what....

i'm talking bout the companies who whine that there being targeted via Spyware companies liek WhenU and Claria (formally known as Gain)
Forums » Anti-Spyware Vendors Stop Detecting WhenU


Saturday, 04-Jul 07:08:10 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Hosting by www.nac.net - DSL,Hosting & Co-lo | feedback | contact
over 9.5 years online! © 1999-2009 dslreports.com.republican-creole