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Does Lavasoft's WhenU Uninstaller Work?
WhenU detection removal dispute continues
(old news - 10:50AM Tuesday Mar 08 2005)
tags: software · spyware
After the recent controversy surrounding Lavasoft's removal of Whenu adware from their detection criteria, they announced a strange stop-gap measure aimed at quieting the hostile mobs: they'd release a separate WhenU uninstaller. A user in our security forum installs then uninstalls Bearshare (which bundles WhenU's SaveNow), runs the Lavasoft uninstaller, then posts post-scan screens from both Adaware (pic1) and Microsoft AntiSpyware (pic2).

The resulting scan shows WhenU isn't gone from a user's system, even after uninstalling the source program, running a full Adaware scan and using Lavasoft's new uninstaller. Why must users jump through hoops to remove software they do not want?

Related:
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  5. Win2k Users Annoyed By Defender Snub
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Forums » Does Lavasoft's WhenU Uninstaller Work?
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Post a:

oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA

Wouldn't know...

...since I ditched it right after reading about their selling out.

Spybot and others work just fine for me. I'm not missing Adawareexceptthosewhopayusoffthenwe'llclaimwedetectitbyincludinganuninstallerbutyouwon'tknow sincewedon'tdetectit.
--
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Gundam_MX
Stomping Robot

join:2003-06-27

Re: Wouldn't know...

Does anybody know if Spybot Search and Destory will remove the spyware?

user4275
Location, Location, Location
Premium
join:2003-11-27
Chicago, IL
clubs:

Re: Wouldn't know...

Spybot S&D has WhenU in its definitions, as far as I could tell, when it was running.
SeVeReD

join:2001-02-24
Oceanside, CA

I'll be worried most when Adaware starts installing spyware along with their tool. I'm using adaware, spybot, and MS antispyware at the moment. What I'd like to know is (and i have to run things again to find out myself i guess), does Adaware still catch stuff that spybot and MS antispyware don't? or should i just drop adaware all together.

nipseyrussel
Nipsey Russell, yo

join:2002-02-22
Philadelphia, PA

Re: Wouldn't know...

said by SeVeReD See Profile:

...does Adaware still catch stuff that spybot and MS antispyware don't? or should i just drop adaware all together.
SeVeReD, see this article:
»Anti-Spyware App Performance
and the link to the report
»windowssecrets.com/050127/#story1

This report compared effectiveness of standalone applications and various combinations, since each package seems to catch different stuff than the others. While I've used AdAware and Spybot in combo for a while (and just added MS), the report suggests that Giant AntiSpyware (MS) is the best alone but only catches 63% of the test spyware. The best combo they suggest is Giant AntiSpyware plus Webroot Spy Sweeper (70%) or Ad-Aware SE Personal (69%). Giant + Spybot only caught 67%. Anyway not a huge spread from 67%-70%
kdoty74011

join:2003-07-20
Broken Arrow, OK
Lavasoft is fine to use for now. I wouldnt recommend useing Spybot search and destroy at all....
Daviey

join:2003-02-26
Lakeland, FL

No matter how you look at it, this was one stupid move by Lavasoft. Taking WhenU out of the definitions could have been excused if they had acted quickly and rationally once it was pointed out, but instead this has been a textbook case on how not to handle a PR disaster. On top of it all, they did this when a reasonably good (and free) alternative has just become available in MS AntiSpyware. Whether they got paid to do it or they just made a series of utterly boneheaded mistakes, they lose big time with only themselves to blame. Trust is hard to regain.

David

DaveNJ
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

So why use Lavasoft ?

From a purely functional persective, why would i bother with Lavasoft? When others remove it without question ?
kdoty74011

join:2003-07-20
Broken Arrow, OK

Re: So why use Lavasoft ?

do you own research on it.There was a time when i wouldnt use Lavasoft.Seems they have cleaned up there act,of course with my own research on it as well,like i am mentioning to you.One that i really like is WebrootsSpyware cleaner program tool,Seems they want to make to much money off people.
kdoty74011

join:2003-07-20
Broken Arrow, OK
I would also recommend you visiting my website forum, when you have some reading time. I have an area called everything pc,Basically a tech talk section.I believe many will find it worht there time.Feel free to post replies.
NunyaBidness
God Bless All Of Us
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Memphis, TN

sad

that's kind of sad when a formerly trusted anti adware company can no longer be trusted
I've been using the MS anti-spyware tool in combination with spy-bot s+d and am hoping that spy-bot doesn't do something like that in the future
--
Nunya Bidness

David
No,there is another.
Premium,VIP
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL
clubs:

uninstalled

From all the machines I maintain.. I think I moved to a2 (asquared) and a few other utilities.

I guess the regular on this site that used to work for them before they started doing this is probably happy he left.

yock
TFTC
Premium
join:2000-11-21
Fairfield, OH

It all sounds fishy

AdAware never needed a special uninstaller before, the AdAware scanner simply removed the offending software. Why else would they provide a special executable if it were meant to behave just like the scanner/removal program?
--
Statistical correlation need not imply causation.
Technical Nirvana
lurker93
Premium
join:2000-06-19
Houston, TX

Re: It all sounds fishy


"Note: This download includes adware that may record your
surfing habits, deliver advertisements, collect private
information, or modify your system settings.

Please pay close attention to the end user license agreement
and installation options." *



When you purposely put something on your machine and are aware of what you are doing and of its presence ... then stop complaining!

--
*Quote from Bearshare download screen at
» »www.download.com
Talis

join:2001-06-21
Houston, TX


1 edit

Re: It all sounds fishy

said by lurker:

When you purposely put something on your machine and are aware of what you are doing and of its presence ... then stop complaining!
I would agree with that up until I wanted to uninstall it and it wouldn't go away. Then I think I have the right to complain.

rbright
Premium
join:2002-12-10
Lexington, KY
clubs:

Well...

I know one uninstaller that worked perfectly.

LL HDD FMT

Re: Well...

WAS it a low level HDD format you used to remove it:)

rogue_
I Have A Secret Window
Premium
join:2001-10-17
Lake Hiawatha, NJ

Haha

I knew it. I warned of it in that other thread. There is too much money at stake for these guys to pass up.

If ya can't beat 'em, BUY 'EM!
--
Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating.

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


1 edit

Yeah, it was me.

I was actually hoping this "Remover" would work, to try and recoup some of the damage that Lavasoft inflicted on themselves.

It did not.

I do find it odd, maybe I don't quite understand how the whole signatures thing works but, with a swipe they can remove detection, yet it takes a month to put the same signature back in... if they put it back in at all?

Can't they just re-issue an older update that DID detect/remove this(and others?) and add to it all newer detections?

Ah well, I have a "FEW" others that still detect and remove this crapware(that's right, I called it what it is!).

WhenU is not wanted by ANYONE I know, anybody here want it on their computer?

Defcon888
Premium
join:2003-07-22
San Bruno, CA

Whoa...

As soon as Microsoft AntiSpyware is final, I'm dumping AdAware in the trash.

Gwailo

join:2000-07-16
Richardson, TX
clubs:

Re: Whoa...

Nothing is ever final at Microsoft so go on and get the beta. It found several things others did not. It's always best to use several.

Defcon888
Premium
join:2003-07-22
San Bruno, CA

Re: Whoa...

Currently I use AdAware and Spybot. I just don't trust AdAware anymore...

birke

@63.89.x.x
does anyone have a "real" spy ware program that removes About blank? I've tried so many.

Dude
What Happens When I Do This
Premium
join:2000-11-20
Chicago, IL
clubs:

Re: Whoa...

yeah dude use cwshredder

for help with this read up at »www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
ossito16

join:2004-07-31
Whiting, IN

too bad

I am so disappointed. Lavasoft sold out on us. I understand trying to make a buck, but lavasoft has become a 'house slave' and left Spybot S & D out in the fields alone. I will donate for the 3rd time to spybot, I encourage others to do so as well.
Cloud Strife

join:2003-09-10
Ironton, OH

Bleh

Dumping Adaware right now.:D

Tomek
Premium
join:2002-01-30
Brooklyn, NY
·Packet8

Re: Bleh

mv "Lavasoft AdAware" /dev/null

I guess spybot S&D and MS solution will do just fine on my windows clients.

--
Private First Class of United States Marine Corps

GOLFnSUN
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast


1 edit

Carrot & stick approach will kill all anti-spyware

Eventually the carrot of big bucks buyouts and/or the stick of huge lawsuits will cause all so-called anti-spyware products to be worthless. The small companies will succumb to getting rich and the big firms(like MS) will listen to their lawyers who don't want to fight huge lawsuits. The internet has gradually been taken over by moneyed interests and this is just another step in that progression. Eventually you will be unable to keep the adware code off your PC if you are going to use the internet at all.
--
My Web Page
My Blog
Join Red Room Forum

DaveNJ
No Fear

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

Re: Carrot & stick approach will kill all anti-spy

I am taking another approach of consumers not wanting software on there machines, and fining these companies that install without clear permission. And forcing them to add uninstallers in the program. Eventually ms will fix this with some sort of installation rule anyway

Sick of ADSPY Crud w

@attbi.co

Re: Carrot & stick approach will kill all anti-spyware

As much as I hate to admit it, your right. I had actually written a couple of papers in college about this very fact back in 97.

To be honest, Im sick of all of this. Spyware, adware....hijacked browsers, file sharing and copyright issues. Is it really so important for all of these companies to track my online activities, why, so they can sell me more useless crap that I don't need?

I do think Ive found the solution though, turn the stupid computer off, unhook it from the net, and spend the massive amounts of time it takes to clean and shine my system and network doing something creative and useful.

Sorry for the Rant.......I do feel better though.

Rejected One
I Suffer From Id10t Errors
Premium
join:2003-07-31
Wilmington, DE
clubs:
·Juno Express

damn shame

i liked ad-aware but this recent development has finally made up my mind its now coming off.

if anyone is interested in a good combinations of scanners i use
ms beta, counter spy , and spybot , and ad-aware
--
My Launcher Programs ( free )
~R3ject3d~
Practice Safe Hex
Admj

join:2001-01-17
Placentia, CA

Response to an email I sent to Lavasoft

From :
Sent : Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:38 AM
To : admj@hotmail.com
Subject : This is an autoreply

| | | Inbox

****This is an automated response, please do not reply to this message****

Dear Customer,

Important notice to all Ad-Aware 6 users

Please upgrade to Ad-Aware SE.
We are now discontinuing reference file and product support for Ad-Aware 6
and urge users to upgrade their existing copies to the new Ad-Aware SE. We
continued support of the older version of Ad-Aware to allow users time to
upgrade while still enjoying the protection they have come to expect from
our software.
For more information on how to obtain your version of Ad-Aware SE please
visit:
»dc1e5dnl03.digitalriver.com/news···w6.shtml

Ad-Aware SE
Please visit our support pages »lavasoft.element5.com/customer_support/ where you can find product information and answers to frequently asked questions.

If you received this automated response when you asked for technical support, please use the link below to re-enter your questions. Please be aware that we only provide email assistance to licensed registered users and require that you include your Reference number.
»www.lavasoft.de/customer_support···chnical/

For support with the Ad-aware SE Personal Version, please see our Support Forums at »www.lavasoftsupport.com/ where you will get quick accurate help from friendly knowledgeable people. The Administrators, Moderators, and LavaXperts all represent Lavasoft. We pride ourselves in the quality of support that is provided there.

If you have questions about your Reference number, order, payment, or the delivery of your product, please click on the following link to find answers to the most frequently asked questions, your order data, and contact data for Customer service:
»esd.element5.com/ccc/

Corporate Users, please visit »lavasoft.element5.com/customer_s···porates/ for sales inquiries, technical assistance with our products, license renewals, privacy issues and more.

Please make sure that you always have the current build and definition file in use.
Look in the lower right corner of Ad-Aware SE and it should say “build 1.05”. Please run Webupdate and get the latest definition file before you perform a full system scan. You can find the latest definition file at »www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

Visit our forum at www.lavasoftsupport.com for ALL support on our FREEWARE products.

Thank you

Your Lavasoft Support Team


netwire
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Mooresboro, NC

Reason #7382 to dump windows...

The subject says it all...

rogue_
I Have A Secret Window
Premium
join:2001-10-17
Lake Hiawatha, NJ

Re: Reason #7382 to dump windows...

Dumping Windows, although only your suggestion, would be quite rediculous to do because some sellout software vender. It can happen to Mac users too.
--
Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating.

SenseBend
Premium
join:2004-09-12
Orangeville, ON
clubs:

Re: Reason #7382 to dump windows...

said by rogue_ See Profile:

It can happen to Mac users too.
But it doesn't...
jsouth
Jsouth

join:2000-12-12
Wichita, KS

Re: Reason #7382 to dump windows...

As far as you know. You don't think they would come right out and tell you?
--
BTK is Caught!!!!
Samwoo

join:2002-02-15
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
stop ranting about an os you don't use.

netwire
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Mooresboro, NC
·RoadRunner Cable
·Millenicom
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Vonage


1 edit

Re: Reason #7382 to dump windows...

said by Samwoo See Profile:

stop ranting about an os you don't use.
I've been a Windows [user] since 3.11.
--
12" iBook - 1.07GHz, 1.25GB DDR (OS X 10.3.8)
britishrapto
Premium
join:2002-03-12


1 edit

I'd just like to point out

Ad-Aware has never totally removed all traces of any given program. It takes the shotgun approach: blast the primary cause of concern, and leave the unimportant remnants behind.

With this in mind, I observe that all that the Microsoft program found were registry keys. So, I am curious: is this all it found, or were there also some executables and/or dlls still lying around too (aside from the actual installer in the temp folder)? Registry keys on their own do not constitute malware; the dlls they reference need to exist too.

Don't get me wrong: I've been less than thrilled about Lavasoft's recent behaviour. And I do wish that WhenU detection and removal were in the main program, rather than in another side program. I'm just unconviced from the above screenshots that WhenU has actually been left alone.

See 10 replies to this post

Augustus III
If Only Rome Could See Us Now....

join:2001-01-25
Gainesville, GA

well

What can i say.. microsoft owned all those sellout companies.

Fact is adware has been utterly useless for a few months now...
Forums » Does Lavasoft's WhenU Uninstaller Work?


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