66 replies to this topic

[Doctor J]

Hi everyone,
2 or 3 days ago, I came upon a great thread that listed false &/or damaging anti spyware applications (like Spyhunter). The list was growing steadily as people replied with additions to the list.

I have just spent over an hour looking for this thread, to no avail.
Can someone point me in the right direction?

TIA,
Dr J


The most current link to the Rogue page is here:
http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm
Swandog46

Edited by Swandog46, 21 June 2006 - 08:57 PM.

[maui_3]

Hi Doctor J,
Here ya go.

http://netrn.net/php...df93b504d88f963

[suzi]

Here is a link to the same thread on the new domain. All of the avatars show up on this one.

http://www.spywarewa...wtopic.php?t=68

[Doctor J]

Thanks to both of you.
Unless I missed it here, this should be a pinned topic here too (hint: suggestion to mods/admin)

[mr bones]

Not a bad idea.

Please do not add rogue applications to this thread. The list is on Suzi's site so for quicker responses to updating the list, please add your thoughts over there.

[Budfred]

Doctor J,

You probably saw it in the tutorials in Boot Camp.....

[Dragonslore]

Great info in that post.

Keep up the good work Suzi.

One of the hardest things about helping people get rid of these parasites is getting people to follow instructions instead of just following part of the instructions.

I help out over at FatWallet in their Computers forum, DealTaker where I have a HiJackThis Logs forum and where ever else I can.

Just earlier today, I worked on a couple of VX2 infested HJT Logs, the new varient, over at the Lockergnome forums and I've been tackling this one at work too.

[SpywareDestroyer]

The direct link:
http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm

[kocaine187]

can anybody tell me what softwares are rogue, i currently have spyblaster is that anygood

[ErikAlbert]

kocaine187
SpyBlaster is bad, but SpywareBlaster is very good.

Bazooka, Spybot S&D, Ad-aware, SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard are freeware and highly recommended.
a2 free is also freeware.

Webroot SpySweeper and Pest Patrol are also good, but you have to buy them.
If money is a problem use the freewares, because the commercial ones aren't any better.

Don't forget to keep them up-to-date !!!

Watch the link in the post right above your post.
That link mentions alot of bad anti-spyware softwares and also the good ones.

Edited by ErikAlbert, 18 July 2004 - 11:13 AM.

[sfcrameret]

I was recently approached by a company trying to promote an anti virus/spyware, firewall suite by the name of Stop-Sign. They said I could use it on customers, resell it and that it worked wonders. I got it in the mail and had it in the trash before it got on my system. It is made by eacceleration and is full of malware and wants to download more - be aware. I saw they even had a late night television commercial last night. I use an excellent product by the name of Pest Patrol that caught this evil sucker before it could do anything.

[Budfred]

Actually, you need to be careful about Pest Patrol... It is a legit company, but it also tends to have a lot of false positives, in other words: it wrongly identifies things as malware that are actually legit...

[TeMerc]

Here is a link from over at Spyware Warriors regarding a new anti spy app, called PrivacyTools.

http://spywarewarrio...opic.php?t=4112

This is an amazing thread, in that the maker/developer threatens to:

And to be honest i'm even thinking of having some programmers write me some spyware. Yep, actual spyware to infect ppls machines. Why? Cus you all suck. I'm trying to work with you but you couldnt give a sh1t. So why try and work with the anti-spyware community when there only against you? You guys are against me so much that i'm going to start distributing spyware myself, its not hard. UNDETECTABLE stuff too To be honest theres probably more money in this then the actual spyware removal.

Its an amazing amount of quotes and mindless statements if your someone trying to create a decent app.

Read for yourself, be prepared for your jaw to drop.

[Budfred]

TeMerc,

That is a fascinating view of the workings of the mind of a scumbag... I was horrified that he will probably get rich and disgusted by his basic atavistic greed....

[jedi]

TeMerc

Thanks for that link. I just read the whole thread, can't say I'm that surprised, there are far too many of his ilk here, (England) who think being in 'business' gives them carte blanche to behave like scumbags.
Makes me feel I almost want to apologise for living in the same country, though I'm sure his like are all over the world.
Having read that I feel like I've just been hosed down with manure, so I'm going to take a bath.
Nice to see the beast in the flesh though, I guess, at least I know why I'm here, at this site, now.
Yuk. :eek:

[Budfred]

It is likely that it is not on the rogue list because it hasn't been out long enough to get tested and put there yet... If it has an Ad-Aware type interface, you can bet it is probably a rip-off....

[VashonDude]

Eliminating all Electronically Transmitted Diseases since 2004

Does sound like it hasn't been around very long.

Electronically Transmitted Diseases? Not exactly a common term (not many hits on Google).

Keenan Solutions (assuming they exist) doesn't seem to have a web site. Only 3 hits on Google, none of which mentioned this program.

A Google Search on "ETD Security Scanner" brought up nothing.

-- LB

Edited by VashonDude, 15 October 2004 - 07:09 PM.

[eburger68]

Hi All:

ETD Security Scanner has been added as rogue # 106 on the Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware pages:

http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm

It's a member of the AdwareSpy/AdwareX Eliminator family, which is the worst of the bunch. That family of garbage apps is also the most prolific, amazingly enough. I've added three new members to this family in the past week (AdDriller & Spy-Kill being the other two):

http://www.spywarewa...emblances.htm#3

Why people keeping licensing that code base is beyond me.

Best,

Eric L. Howes

Edited by eburger68, 16 October 2004 - 02:46 AM.

[suzi]

Electronically Transmitted Diseases? Not exactly a common term (not many hits on Google).

One of the characteristics of that family of rogues is the large number of false positives it produces. If this app is supposed to diagnose and treat "electronically transmitted diseases", I'd call it a quack and sue it for malpractice.

[fredvries]

SpyRemover is a licensed clone of SpyBot.

[suzi]

It's actually here on this page:

http://www.spywarewa...ns_outcasts.htm

[Budfred]

Joey1,

Please do NOT post links without explanation... I don't know what you are trying to say with your first link and the second link seems to be broken... Please explain...

[LineOFire]

Suzi, I just read that thread on spywarrior with ash1ey and I have to say that his behavior is appalling. I have a hard time believing that people like him exist.

[suzi]

The reason this is link

spywarewarrior.com/pics/aaw5-1.jpg

appears to be broken is to, number one, prevent hotlinking and, number 2, to prevent the images from being viewed out of context.

It can be viewed on the webpage it lives on.

LineOFire wrote:

Suzi, I just read that thread on spywarrior with ash1ey and I have to say that his behavior is appalling. I have a hard time believing that people like him exist.

Unfortunately I think there are more people like that in the world than we'd like to imagine. Most of them just don't show it so blatantly in public.

[eburger68]

Joey1:

Steganos AntiSpyware is a licensed version of Spy Sweeper -- see the list of legitimate clones here:

http://www.spywarewa...tm#clones-legit

Similarly, you'll find that the Norman antispyware product is a licensed Ad-aware clone.

Best,

Eric L. Howes

Edited by eburger68, 02 March 2005 - 09:48 AM.

[ErikAlbert]

I have compared two lists of rogue/suspect anti-spyware softwares on the internet, because both lists were posted by member(s) at SWI and I wanted to know if I needed both lists or only one list.

1. http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm (Eric L. Howes)
This list contains 152 rogue/suspect Anti-Spyware softwares

2. http://www.spyware-r...gue-spyware.php
This list contains 122 rogue/suspect Anti-Spyware softwares

As you can see the first link contains 30 more rogue/suspect anti-spyware softwares than the second link AND the second link contains no other anti-spywares than the first link.

Final Conclusion :
1. The first list, created by Eric L. Howes, is the one that can be TRUSTED and contains alot more info about these softwares.

2. The second list is worthless, out-of-date and even "dangerous" as a checklist.
So you don't have to keep this list as a second checklist or to post this link ever again.

Edited by ErikAlbert, 02 March 2005 - 12:29 AM.

[spyware]

Thanks for that all link. I kill Spyware Parasites in computer.

[akp]

I thought it better to start a new thread, but I am new to this forum, so please let me know if I should have posted this question about the ViewFour spyware/virus blocker here instead:
http://www.spywarein...showtopic=52931

Thanks.

I also wanted to say that I read through the Ash1ey thread last night and became physically ill. I knew there were people out there like that, else all this junk wouldn't be so prevelant, but it was quite shocking to see the arrogance, spite, and open hostility towards the human race that Ash1ey displayed.

Makes you realize why people such as the volunteers here work so hard, without monetary compensation, to help people protect themselves from it all. Also makes you realize why someone would become so upset and frustrated with it all, that they would go so far as to beat a Spammer to death: http://it.slashdot.o...5/1745212.shtml
(although obviously, that is going too far)

[atixtasy]

i dont know if this is true or not but i was talking to some people about this stuff and he brought up that Ad-Aware is a bad program. That it installs adware instead of deleting all of it. Please tell me if this is true.

[Budfred]

If the program is actually Ad-Aware SE from Lavasoft, it is a good program... A number of rogue programs try to trick people by using similar names and it is possible your friend got one of them... The people that create rogues have NO ethics, so they will do whatever they can to infect your computer and make you pay for the privilege...

[jedi]

If you Google 'AdAware' you will see the problem, the tip is, ignore the sponsored links.
[attachment=905:attachment]
The ligit product is from LavaSoft, the product above is garbage. And in the sponsored links to the right of the page:
[attachment=906:attachment]
You can see illustrations of Budfred's point, how the word is exploited by other advertisers.

[Deman777]

Edited to remove SPAM...

Edited by Budfred, 25 October 2005 - 05:26 AM.

[Budfred]

Deman777,

Posting affiliate links without explanation is SPAM and will not be tolerated on this board...

[syracuse]

Hi everyone,
2 or 3 days ago, I came upon a great thread that listed false &/or damaging anti spyware applications (like Spyhunter). The list was growing steadily as people replied with additions to the list.

I have just spent over an hour looking for this thread, to no avail.
Can someone point me in the right direction?

TIA,
Dr J

http://www.adwarerep...ves/000007.html

is this what you are looking for?

[Budfred]

I am afraid that the list you linked to features Aluria which is a very dubious program itself... It is also a very brief list and doesn't provide much info at all about most of the products... A better list is the one we use as our basic reference here:

http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm

[mrsmith]

hello all. my name is mrsmith. i work on tuesday. tuesday is my secretary. LOL just kidding. anyways, I am wondering about the malware remover company. (i saw malwhare on the list but not this 1) I have tried alot of diferent programs and I believe this 1 to be a "baddie" also. for instance, I downloaded and tried the malware remover and backdoor guard both. back door guard FAILED my testing. and malware remover said it detected 12 spyware items in my system. that seemed kinda funny to me since I am always erasing tracks in my system, removing ADS from downloaded programs before installing/testing (just to mention a few), and I have (in my humble opinion) the most aggresive anti-virus/trojan/worm program available. It is always scanning all local drives and EVERYTHING going in or out has to pass this little guy.( i was absolutely amazed when I came across this thing and have used it ever since with no infections to date. and believe me, I have really put it to the test.) I also am running the most advanced and agressive firewall I have ever seen on top of being behind a router. so I tried to find out what these items were. not only would it not show me the items, it said I would have to purchase the program to be able to remove them.
whatever!
http://malwareremover.com/
I immediately removed all traces of the program and manually searched my system for any signs of foul play after using a couple scanners I have. It is simply insane to rely on 1 company or program to stop everything out there.
to give you a little background, I have been waging a war on all forms of spyware and the likes for quite some time. I have a tendancy to look in all the wrong places which has actually proved to be extremely efective. I have searched through alot of diferent sites and this 1 seems to have alot of good people. so I recently became a member. this is a first for me so hopefully it works out. I have been a lone warrior until now. built, configured (hardware and software) and cleaned out more systems than I can count. and no im not trying to brag or anything. If I wanted fame I would have joined sites like this and built my own website years ago. just trying to give you some history is all. you can try to look me up if you like but good luck. that will show you how much I want to be known.
anyways, just trying to help out. thanks.

[Budfred]

mrsmith,

I am not clear if the program you linked to is the one you say is great or the one that you say is probably rogue...

If you are interested in working with us and helping fight malware, you might be interested in training in Boot Camp:

http://www.spywarein...hp?showtopic=34

[Sockdude]

mrsmith,
I am not clear if the program you linked to is the one you say is great or the one that you say is probably rogue...

The link he gave was the one he suspects to be a rouge. The site includes this "Backdoor Guard" and the program "Malware Remover."

I downloaded and tried the malware remover and backdoor guard both... http://malwareremover.com/

[thebeareman]

Hi everyone,

I have created a group on youtube.com for people to post videos of anything spyware related whether it be a video of you getting infected from a certain website or program or you showing off the features of an Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware program. I'm trying to make another resource for people to see the risks of spyware and where not to go if you don't want to get infested.
Visit it yourself (I only started it on Friday 18th Nov)
http://www.youtube.c...pywarecoalition

Thanks everyone

Thebeareman

[Gary_V]

Hi everyone,

I have created a group on youtube.com for people to post videos of anything spyware related whether it be a video of you getting infected from a certain website or program or you showing off the features of an Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware program. I'm trying to make another resource for people to see the risks of spyware and where not to go if you don't want to get infested.
Visit it yourself (I only started it on Friday 18th Nov)
http://www.youtube.c...pywarecoalition

Thanks everyone

Thebeareman

Pretty neat idea. It's a shame there are only 14 members (atthe time of this writing), but I'm sure that number will grow as your group gets more publicity. YouTube seems to be a great forum for exposing things like this to those who would otherwise be uninformed about malware...

Nice work.

[Budfred]

Hi everyone,

I have created a group on youtube.com for people to post videos of anything spyware related whether it be a video of you getting infected from a certain website or program or you showing off the features of an Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware program. I'm trying to make another resource for people to see the risks of spyware and where not to go if you don't want to get infested.
Visit it yourself (I only started it on Friday 18th Nov)
[url=//hxxp://www.youtube.com/group/spywarecoalition]hxxtp://www.youtube.com/group/spywarecoalition/url]

Thanks everyone

Thebeareman

Given that thebeareman apparently joined SWI only to advertise this YouTube venture and that YouTube has been used to distribute malware, I advise caution about this venture... It is NOT endorsed by SWI and thebeareman has no official status with SWI...

[business1]

thats a very valid point.

[sumitkar]

TeMerc

Thanks for that link. I just read the whole thread, can't say I'm that surprised, there are far too many of his ilk here, (England) who think being in 'business' gives them carte blanche to behave like scumbags.
Makes me feel I almost want to apologise for living in the same country, though I'm sure his like are all over the world.
Having read that I feel like I've just been hosed down with manure, so I'm going to take a bath.
Nice to see the beast in the flesh though, I guess, at least I know why I'm here, at this site, now.
Yuk. :eek:

thanks for the links

bye