38 replies to this topic

[kisc]

This computer has Stopzilla on it.

Does stopzilla have spyware?

[Mike]

Not at last report.

[kisc]

Thankee.

I didn't see anything that looked suspicious, but their website is so YELLOW and so full of "THIS WORKS SO WELL" hyperbole that I had to wonder.

[Mike]

Now that I think of it, we are kind of suspicious of it. Not for installing spyware or anything, but because they advertise with sites such as coolwebsearch.com and other undesirable sites.

[Bermy123]

I actually highly reccomend STOPZilla! Love It!

Bermy

[Nobody2U]

I suspect that Stopzilla is a malicious program and I don't recommend that anyone install it for any reason.

I'll share my experience with STOPzilla and explain why I think its harmful software......

My 2nd PC got infected by some notorious malicious code from ads.fortunecity.com, kill-pop-ups.com and others that I was unable to remove using Ad-Aware or any other program I tried. This code was causing almost non-stop pop-up ads to appear. The most common one was for an ad to buy pop-up removal software (I don't remember the name of the software advertised, but I don't think it was called STOPzilla).

I read a few posts on various forums claiming that Stopzilla is the ONLY program that would remove the pop-ups from these sites. Although their website made me suspicious I was desperate so I downloaded Stopzilla for the 15 day trial. Sure enough it worked for 15 days. When I declined to buy and register STOPzilla, the program stopped working and I started getting pop-ups again.

The most common pop-up I get now is a "search page" with no search results in it. Instead, there is an error message saying "error: the following was not found {E3214F....."

This looked like a registry key entry to me so I cut and pasted it into the find feature of the Windows Registry Editor. The key lead to a registry entry called "STOPzilla Browser Helper Object."

So clearly STOPzilla is causing these pop-ups.

Worse still, I strongly suspect that STOPzilla is made by the people who wrote the original malicious code that caused me to install STOPzilla in the first place.

The people who wrote that code obviously did so to try to sell you some version of their pop-up blocking software. And STOPzilla was frequently mentioned all over the web as the ONLY solution to the pop-ups originating from these SPECIFIC URLs.

I find it hard to believe that an obscure program like STOPzilla marketed by a company with such a gaudy and cheap looking website can LEGITIMATELY stop malicious software that reputable programs like Ad-Aware, NVidia's pop-up blocker, etc. could not.

It seems much more likely to me that the people who wrote the malicious pop-up software deliberately coded so that it can be disabled by software that they sell and that STOPzilla is just another one of their programs.

[CES]

Stopzilla, www.stopzilla.com, is a great product that I and 1,000’s of business and personal clients have used for years without one single problem.

We stopped using or recommending the software a year ago, because we switched to a more through layered filter protocol (A), because of the continued extreme aggressiveness of the CoolWebSearch “Costra Nostra” Cartel, et. al. and other illegal entities.

I am surprised at the posts here re: stopzilla. We will look into this since we have not used it in one year. Unfortunately, what was once a great company, can be today’s worse spyware company because of market pressures and the “greed for the green”. I will post back what our due diligence discovers.

Thanks for the heads up. Be well - CES

-------
(A) Our current standard recommended layered web filter protocol is comprised of:

1. ZoneAlarm Pro (We do not recommend the latest ZAP 5.0 series);

2. An up-to-date & locked Win TCP-IP HOSTS file and IE6 Restricted Sites Zone list;

3. LavaSoft’s Ad-watch, (as part of Ad-adware Pro package) with an up-to-date and locked “sites.txt” file;
(For advanced users instead of Ad-Watch 3, we use/recommend AdShield or WebWasher in this combo package with up-to-date and locked filter lists.)

4. Our recommendations for:
(1) Internet Properties - Security settings and Advanced settings menus
(2) Internet surfing and computer cleaning “lifestyle habits”
(3) Internet search toolbar. (We do not recommend Google or MS/MSN toolbar)

5. We use and recommend Symantec’s-Norton AntiVirus, but don’t recommend running it in the active mode, except high risk surfing, i.e. porn sites, “free” software sites, etc.
(Note: I have been using/recommending Symantec’s-Norton for 21 years. They are not the high quality company/software they used to be, but who is these days)

Edited by CES, 19 July 2004 - 01:47 PM.

[CES]

I suspect that Stopzilla is a malicious program and I don't recommend that anyone install it for any reason.

I/we strongly disagree with you and find many of your comments highly misinformed and inaccurate. Please provide additional ample proof of your claims for us, and other knowledgeable members of this Forum, to review.

Thanks for your time and help - CES.

[CES]

Now that I think of it, we are kind of suspicious of it. Not for installing spyware or anything, but because they advertise with sites such as coolwebsearch.com and other undesirable sites.

Mike, specifically what CWS and undesirable sites do you refer in your post?

If so, has the Stopzilla people been formally notified for comments on this matter?

Yes, I/we agree ANYONE supporting CoolWebSearch "Costra Nostra" Cartel et. al. (CWSC) goes on the banned companies list. And, this also includes major CWCS Hosting/ISP companies like Everyones Internet, Inc., RackSpace, Inc and others.

However, many good companies do not know they are using CWSC sites to advertise, because there are close to 15,000 sites now, and the number grows daily.

Thanks for your time. - CES

Edited by CES, 19 July 2004 - 02:14 PM.

[Pelican]

I do not trust Stopzilla at all. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but there is a reason for it. Months and months ago, my computer was ridiculously infected with spyware, most likely from Kazaa. Of course, I was new to spyware back then. My homepage was hijacked, I was bombarded with popups every time I launched IE. The horrible thing is, this was all fresh spyware, Ad-aware and Spybot picked up hundreds of new items every scan, never stopping anything. The only spyware program I remember was Lycos Sidesearch, brand new at the time. I don't remember where I was hijacked to, but nothing picked it up, nothing stopped the popups. AVG found 120 viruses, and the popup that I remember the most brings me to why I don't trust Stopzilla, for the popup said: "STOPzilla! The popups." I remember this 100%, and under the text was a picture of a green reptile's head, looking up at the text, trying to be Godzilla I suppose. Luckily a friend of mine had a disk needed to reformat my computer, and I did so. I hate Stopzilla with a passion.

[NonSuch]

For what it's worth, Stopzilla.com is among the IE-SPYAD restricted sites.

[eburger68]

Hi:

StopZilla was added to IE-SPYAD as a precautionary measure. I have encountered StopZilla in people's HijackThis! logs in various help forums. What is interesting about these HJT log entries (which are 016 - DPF entries, from automated online installations) is that the download source is not only stopzilla.com, but playminigolf.com in some instances.

My interest in adding StopZilla to IE-SPYAD was only to ensure that IE-SPYAD users who encountered pages that automatically install StopZilla were truly getting what they wanted -- those automated installations won't work with the two domains listed above in the Restricted sites zone. Users who wanted to install StopZilla could either remove the appropriate domains from the Restricted sites zone, or they could download the full setup executable from the StopZilla home page.

Over the past few days I have been looking into the StopZilla/playminigolf.com connection. It turns out that there's no connection between PlayMiniGolf and StopZilla. The StopZilla.cab file from playminigolf.com is simply a stub downloader for the PlayMiniGolf game -- it doesn't install StopZilla at all. Perhaps the PlayMiniGolf folks have a grudge against StopZilla and are using the name for their downloader as a thumb in the eye.

Thus, in the next update to IE-SPYAD StopZilla will be moved to the "Not for Everyone" section of IE-SPYAD and disabled by default.

Best,

Eric L. Howes

Edited by eburger68, 20 July 2004 - 07:24 AM.

[NonSuch]

Thus, in the next update to IE-SPYAD StopZilla will be moved to the "Not for Everyone" section of IE-SPYAD and disabled by default.

Thanks for the clarification and update.

[STOPzilla]

My name is Scott DeSapio and I'm the President of STOPzilla. Please feel free to email me anytime at sdesapio@STOP[NO SPAM: DELETE THIS]zilla.com.

I wish there was a way to let all of you know how true we are in our efforts but, the fact of the matter is, there really isn't. I would however like to leave you with a couple of things that will hopefully instill a better sense of trust:

- CNet Editors’ Choice Award Winner, November 2003
- Member of the Better Business Bureau
- 24/7 Toll-Free phone support (1.877.877.9944)
- In 2002 we had, including me, 3 employees. I used to sleep at my desk just in case a user needed some help. I personally did live chat and phone support – 24 hours a day. Today, we employ 30.

Additionally, in a gesture of good faith, I’d like to offer 100 FREE Lifetime STOPzilla Subscriptions to the readers of this forum.

USERNAME: STOPzilla@SpywareInfo.com
PASSWORD: C7vv2vpWJN3D

Simply download STOPzilla from STOPzilla.com and, when prompted, click on “Enter Registration Key.”

As I mentioned earlier, please don’t hesitate to write me personally if you have any comments, concerns, or questions. I’ll do my best to get back to you quickly.

I am, and we are as an organization, completed devoted to our users, the fight against Spyware, and to earning your complete faith and trust.

Let the flames begin,
sjd

[STOPzilla]

One more thing... The username and password for the free account are both case sensitive.

[kisc]

Now that is a gesture of good faith if ever I've seen one.

I will try out StopZilla on my pc and we'll see what we can see.

In the meantime, I still say your homepage is VERY yellow.

edit: .... html -> BBCode

Edited by kisc, 26 July 2004 - 01:02 PM.

[kisc]

Is there a way to install the software that doesn't involve relaxing my activex controls?

[edit: http://www.getafile....zilla_Setup.exe]

Edited by kisc, 27 July 2004 - 09:39 AM.

[ibutler]

Is the path correct for this as I can not get it to run

I.

www.helpsme.com

[mazolauk]

Cheers for the goodwill gesture - downloaded it fine, installed it fine and registered all with no problems. Unfortunately , every time I fire up IE, I get an error in is3core.dll...After about three attempts the browser will load, but any suggestions to a solution would be very welcome.

[kisc]

My schedule being what it has been lately, I haven't had a chance to install it, but the download seemed fine to me.

Mazolauk, it seems like you're not the only one having the problem, though I didn't find a ready solution.

http://www.google.co.....q=is3core.dll

I would recommend doing the uninstall/reinstall thing, then hitting up StopZilla's tech support folks. Be a good test for how friendly and helpful they are, so let us know how it turns out

[priccie32]

i have stopzilla .. on my computer.. and noticed that i got a virus.. i also had downloaded the free trial at my computer at work.. and it to now has a virus.. by chance?? i think not...

any comments about this.. ??
i think that stopzilla need to run an virus protection to there site ...lol

[smuttercup]

I have used STOPzilla with absolutely NO problems on my computer. As a public relations professional, I can say that a gesture such as FREE access to the services STOPzilla provides, is above and beyond what any fantastic and reputable company would do.

Kudos for a great service, product and customer appreciation skills.

I don't think anyone will have problems with STOPzilla. I LOVE it!

Thanks!

[kisc]

priccie32, which virus did you get? And was it the same both times?

More information please.

[mazolauk]

Well - the problem stopped, but Stopzilla then failed to stop any Pop-ups, and also stopped Googlebar from stopping any too...
I unistalled it - far too many running processes for my pc to take.
Thank you any way.

[kisc]

what version of windows are your running, and what are your pc specs?

I dunno if this will tell me anything, and I doubt it will tell me anything that will be helpful to you, but I'm curious.

[CES]

>>>i have stopzilla .. on my computer.. and noticed that i got a virus.. i also had downloaded the free trial at my computer at work.. and it to now has a virus.. by chance?? i think not...

Very unhelpful post from a new member? Specifically delineate the virus(s) you received.

>>>Well - the problem stopped, but Stopzilla then failed to stop any Pop-ups, and also stopped Googlebar from stopping any too...

You cannot run multiple Ad blocking software concurrently without corruption risks, particular when the software integrates in with your browser. If you are using Google's popup blocker, (which we don't recommend) do not use a second Ad blocking application.

We had the same problem with Zone Alarm Pro's, Custom Privacy Settings/Ad Blocking features. You cannot use a second Ad blocking application if using ZAP's Ad Blocking features, without corruption risks.

Also Ad Blocking software may compete/overlap with Internet Explorer's "Internet Properties" settings, so make sure you are not "doubling up" on blocking/control settings and issues.

[bpm3k]

I installed SZ recently as well, using the information provided in this thread.

I have had only one problem with the progam. When I have it set on block, and click on "start" --> "sign on to aol"

I have my password saved so that usually this auto boots aol and logs into my account. But when i have block turned on i get this error:

"An AOL error occured. Try running aol again." And clicking OK closes AOL.

I then turn SZ program to "Allow" and then AOL loads and runs normally.

[priccie32]

i have the same problem with this aol.. thing.. any comments about this .. miss priss

[kisc]

Once again, I would recommend hitting StopZilla's website. They seemed very friendly and helpful with the few questions that I had.

[Ropey]

Downloaded and installed StopZilla and have found no problems with this program. It stops the popups and allows me control over actions regarding popups.

There have been no contacts or attempts through my hardware firewall to show a spyware transmission of data as well.

Seems to do what it is supposed to and not what it isn't

Regards,

Ropey

[phawgg]

As a person who experienced problems with Zillasoft products, which I downloaded free a few days after installing Mozilla, and understanding that for months now I have not found a definitive answer to whether I fouled up my PC or the "Datanuker" and "ZillapopupKiller" were designed to behave in a fashion that ends up doing just that...

Let me say that the owner of STOPZilla has made me an offer I can't refuse. Even if the 100 programs are gone, I feel as though he has acted in such a way as to demonstrate (if not illuminate) an unhappy Catch 22 aspect of present-day LIFE ON THE NET. We run at an everincreasing faster rate. Doing what a few years ago was virtually impossible. We learn fast, and emote strongly at a similar pace, it seems.

I search for references to "zilla" and I get "the three faces of eve". I would wish no problems onto others, especially of the kind I've dealt with. They have made me learn, uncomfortably so... often. I make my comments in such a way so I will remember them, myself.

Thank you, Mr. DeSapio. Thank you, Nonesuch, eBurger, CES, pelican, bermy123, Kisc, and many others I'm sure I owe. Mike, and those who endure the daily questions...Good or Bad. Maybe....

[EagleWorm]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting ever into forums so please excuse me if I do something wrong. While I respect the generous offer of StopZilla I would like to know if the product will protect me against Spyware or not. I have seen advertising which took me to their website that looks to me that they won CNET's Editor's Choice Award for AntiSpyware product and that the software is AntiSpyware but I don't seem to find any supporting evidence for either. Can please someone with technical knowledge tell me if StopZilla is AntiSpyware or not. If it is how do I scan for Spyware? I would really appreciate any help with this.

Thanks you for your time.
Josh

[kisc]

Josh

Pop-up killers will protect you from certain kinds of spyware threats. Whether it does more than that, I do not know. I still haven't installed the program, in spite of my desire to learn more. Time is not my allay this year.

Hopefully, Ropey or someone will notice your request for more info and have a better answer.

[mjp65aa]

I was going to try this (not sure if free memberships are used up or not), but now with sp2 out for xp, is there any reason? The popup blocker seemed to be the strongest feature. I use Mozilla mostly, and now with sp2, even ie has zero popups unless you allow it. Would I be missing anything if I pass?

Edited by mjp65aa, 07 September 2004 - 07:20 PM.

[Scaramouche]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting ever into forums so please excuse me if I do something wrong. While I respect the generous offer of StopZilla I would like to know if the product will protect me against Spyware or not. I have seen advertising which took me to their website that looks to me that they won CNET's Editor's Choice Award for AntiSpyware product and that the software is AntiSpyware but I don't seem to find any supporting evidence for either. Can please someone with technical knowledge tell me if StopZilla is AntiSpyware or not. If it is how do I scan for Spyware? I would really appreciate any help with this.

Thanks you for your time.
Josh

A pop up stopper can sometimes help you deal with the symptoms of spyware (e.g., stop the popups they produce) but rarely do they deal with the cause (security holes, driveby installs not on popups, already installed spyware). Depending on the method used by the vendor they can also stop internally generated popups and not just the ones created by visiting a web site. To answer your question though, no most popup blockers can't help you stop your computer from being infected with spyware.

[tantricobstacles]

StopZilla will help to prevent some new spyware from installing on your system, but offers no way of removing items that are already there...

[dakracker]

OK TO MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR. I DOWNLOADED STOPZILLA ON MY COMPUTER AND WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE IT THERE IS NO, NO UNINSTALL.exe for the file. NOW I ALSO FOUND A PROGRAM CALLED WINK ON MY COMPUTER! I THINK THAT IS IT. you know your dear stopzilla. VIRUS IF YOU ASK ME! VERY UNSATISFIED WITH YOU PEOPLE THAT LIKE STOPZILLA. YOU PROBABLY WORK FOR THE COMPANY.

[Pretzels]

i have stopzilla .. on my computer.. and noticed that i got a virus.. i also had downloaded the free trial at my computer at work.. and it to now has a virus.. by chance?? i think not...

any comments about this.. ??
i think that stopzilla need to run an virus protection to there site ...lol

I have had the same problem!! STOPzilla is infact the problem!! It had malware, adware spyware and is one giant virus!!! I got it straight from there own website. I guess they really put in nice anti-detection cause most of you havent seen that it is a virus. Anyone should notice upon running spybot search and destroy, or spysweeper it will pop up with alerts of all kinds of malware and spyware associated with stopzilla. Furthermore I ran Bitdefender 9 and it finds a dll. that is malware that i cannot get rid of now! . This program has MALWARE written all over it! DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT!!! I REPEAT!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT!! I cannot even get rid of the stupid Dll. associated with it. Anyone who vouches for stopzill either is too dumb to know or is "in" on it either way i would not reccomend downloading it at all.

[MrHelpless]

i have stopzilla .. on my computer.. and noticed that i got a virus.. i also had downloaded the free trial at my computer at work.. and it to now has a virus.. by chance?? i think not...

any comments about this.. ??
i think that stopzilla need to run an virus protection to there site ...lol

I have had the same problem!! STOPzilla is infact the problem!! It had malware, adware spyware and is one giant virus!!! I got it straight from there own website. I guess they really put in nice anti-detection cause most of you havent seen that it is a virus. Anyone should notice upon running spybot search and destroy, or spysweeper it will pop up with alerts of all kinds of malware and spyware associated with stopzilla. Furthermore I ran Bitdefender 9 and it finds a dll. that is malware that i cannot get rid of now! . This program has MALWARE written all over it! DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT!!! I REPEAT!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT!! I cannot even get rid of the stupid Dll. associated with it. Anyone who vouches for stopzill either is too dumb to know or is "in" on it either way i would not reccomend downloading it at all.

STOPzilla is spyware....... I had to do a system restore to get rid of it......

Its the most horrible programme I had ever seen......and why isn't there an "Uninstall" button??

Also, when the 15-day trial ends, popups flood you every 15 mins or so if you refuse to buy their programme.

I suggest that those who have STOPzilla on their computer to do a system restore right away!

More info:
http://www.siteadvis...nloads/1147631/