False: Messenger Plus

[Abram]

The Messenger Plus does have an option in the installer to install
adware but one does not HAVE to install it to be able to use the
program. I did not install the adware but still the Microsoft
program detects Messenger Plus as being an unwanted program.

Is there a way to make the program only detect it if one actually
selected to install the sponsor?

 

[Randy Knobloch]

The Messenger Plus does have an option in the installer to install
adware but one does not HAVE to install it to be able to use the
program. I did not install the adware but still the Microsoft
program detects Messenger Plus as being an unwanted program.

Is there a way to make the program only detect it if one actually
selected to install the sponsor?

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/messenger_plus.htm

Silj

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siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security (AH-VSOP)
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Security Tools Updates
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(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)

 

[Abram]

Well thanks, but I still think that the Microsoft program should
only detect the "Lop.com" files if I actually installed them with
Messenger Plus right? It just seems a bit unfair to me to mark a
program adware even if the adware components weren't installed.
Thia may trick novice users into deleting Messenger Plus while
there's actually no problem.

 

[Sandi Hardmeier]

Abram,

The only thing that is 'tricking' users is the disconcerting tendency of
some MP supporters to complain that MAS labels Messenger Plus! (the program)
as adware or spyware when MAS DOES NOT DO THAT.

Messenger Plus! is detected as a 'Software ***BUNDLER***' (my emphasis). It
used to be detected as an 'Adware ***BUNDLER***' (my emphasis) but the
wording has been softened. At no time has MAS reported that Messenger Plus!
(the program) as spyware. It has always said that it MP is a ***BUNDLER***
(my emphasis).

In short, Messenger Plus! *does* bundle adware. Its detection as a BUNDLER
by MAS is accurate and an honest representation of reality.

Ever since Patchou first added the Sponsor Program there has been a well
known, often reported, often documented and ongoing problem of people
installing Messenger Plus! without understanding the full implications of
installing the Sponsor Program (despite Patchou's steps to increase
disclosure levels - I personally believe that the steps taken are not
sufficient, but I'm not trying to balance disclosure versus impact on
income).

Anything that increases the level of disclosure about Messenger Plus!'
Sponsor Program, thereby fostering an understanding of what the Sponsor
Program actually is, whilst makes the end result of installing such software
more obvious in light of the recurring problem with people not understanding
why they have lop.com adware, or where it came from, is a good thing. The
same goes for any other freeware/shareware program that bundles adware or
spyware.

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[Abram]

Thanks for your explanation then, but can I word my question
different? If I was a novice user, I would think a program had to
be removed if it was listed by MAS, even if it was only listed as
"bundler" because I wouldn't know what the heck a bundler was. Not
attacking you personally here or anything, but I think programs
that at the moment do not have any malicious components on one's
system, should not be listed at all, to avoid confusion.

 

[chugzie]

Odd...My problem is just the opposite.

After 2 yrs of not using Messenger, I thought I had a
version(6.2) that you could finally kill(well, almost,it
still runs in the background) and I'll be darned if
Spyware isn't loading Messenger in my start-up files.! And
it doesn't ask permissions, it tells me after the fact,
That's what was flying up my screen that I couldn't catch!
Comon guys...I thought your intentions were more honorable
than that. Spies! Spies! Everywhere! (lol)

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Hold on a moment--this isn't the first time that Microsoft Antispyware has
been accused of causing MSN Messenger to load at startup time--and I think
it's a bum rap.

I'd urge you to retest this--uninstall Microsoft Antispyware--take MSN and
Windows Messenger out of the startup entries, and reinstall and run
Microsoft Antispyware.

I don't disbelieve you that it happened--I just think the cause lies
elsewhere.

 

[chugzie]

Ok, Bill... I was going to send you a print screen, but no
matter how many times I try, the green Spyware message box
cannot be copied to clipboard.
../me wonders if you knew that already (=

Btw, I never load Windows Messenger, ever. Too risky.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I've never tried to grab one of those things--but they look so alien that
I'm not surprised that standard windows critters can't see them.

I often have Messenger loaded, but use it perhaps once every two weeks. and
it's MSN Messenger 7.

I doubt that there is any connection of any kind between Microsoft
Antispyware and messenger--perhaps there should be--in the application agent
area--but certainly not in terms of autostarting it.

If autostart changes, I suspect a security update to the app itself
reinstating the original defaults, and causing it to go back to
autostarting. Tell it to go away again.

 

[Sandi Hardmeier]

I do not agree. A novice user would not think that the software had to be
removed, because the recommended action is to 'ignore' the uninstalled
software.

Your suggested alternative, to leave the novice user in the dark about the
fact that MP bundles adware, does the novice a disfavour. Novice users need
more information, and education, not less.
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[Sandi Hardmeier]

Get yourself a trial copy of Snagit; it will allow you to make a movie of
what is happening; if you wish, you can email it to me and I can host it on
my site for examination.

--
_______________________________________
Hyperlinks used to ensure advice is current
Visit the IE Community
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Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org