freeware / 'malware'

[Norman Cohen]

notice several infected freeware files I have donwnloaded. At all times I
have had spyguard, ad aware, microsoft spyware, spybot and personal anti
virus running

ONLY ewido detected and removed these infections....not even ad squared
found them

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido security suite - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 12:09:27 PM, 11/1/2005
+ Report-Checksum: B28CA569

+ Scan result:

C:\Documents and Settings\Norman Cohen\Local Settings\Application

Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\eyxh7xy2.default\Cache\08D267B1d01 ->
Spyware.Hijacker.Generic :

Cleaned with backup
C:\Download\09-13-2005\URLSnooper.exe/WinPcap_3_1.exe ->
Spyware.Hijacker.Generic :

Cleaned with backup
C:\Download\Daphne_setup.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with
backup
C:\Download\mcombo.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with backup
C:\Downloads3\Daphne_setup.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with
backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003439. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003440. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003658. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003666. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup


::Report End

 

[Sweet Andy]

notice several infected freeware files I have donwnloaded. At all times I
have had spyguard, ad aware, microsoft spyware, spybot and personal anti
virus running

ONLY ewido detected and removed these infections....not even ad squared
found them

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido security suite - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 12:09:27 PM, 11/1/2005
+ Report-Checksum: B28CA569

+ Scan result:

C:\Documents and Settings\Norman Cohen\Local Settings\Application

Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\eyxh7xy2.default\Cache\08D267B1d01 ->
Spyware.Hijacker.Generic :

Cleaned with backup
C:\Download\09-13-2005\URLSnooper.exe/WinPcap_3_1.exe ->
Spyware.Hijacker.Generic :

Cleaned with backup
C:\Download\Daphne_setup.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with
backup
C:\Download\mcombo.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with backup
C:\Downloads3\Daphne_setup.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with
backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003439. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003440. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003658. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup
C:\oldhd\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00003666. -> Adware.Gator : Cleaned with backup


::Report End

I think a lot of people try to entice you with the word freeware. Sometimes
there is a 'cost' involved. Just the time cleaning up the mess is lost. Just
gotta be careful...and it appears you are.

 

[Aaron]

Something in your browser cache, harmless most probably since you are
running firefox.

Hmm, winpcap might or might not be dangerous. Given the nature of
urlsnooper, i think winpcap is necessary to work.


No idea about this one.

Maxthon. I think the combo sets comes with a pretty dubious addon/plugin.
You can choose not to install the plugin


Already deleted.

 

[John Corliss]

notice several infected freeware files I have donwnloaded. At all times I
have had spyguard, ad aware, microsoft spyware, spybot and personal anti
virus running

ONLY ewido detected and removed these infections....not even ad squared
found them (clipped)

Norman,
You're doing the right thing by running good protective software,
however there's more to the "Safe surfing" equation: you should only
download freeware from sites that you are familiar with and trust.
Otherwise, generally a program is safe if it's listed at such a site and
you go to the home page.

--
Regards from John Corliss
My current killfile: aafuss, Chrissy Cruiser, Slowhand Hussein, BEN
RITCHEY and others.
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware, nagware,
PROmotionware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware,
viruses or warez please.

 

[Norman Cohen]

Norman,
You're doing the right thing by running good protective software,
however there's more to the "Safe surfing" equation: you should only
download freeware from sites that you are familiar with and trust.
Otherwise, generally a program is safe if it's listed at such a site
and you go to the home page.

John: thanks for the tip...at some level I knew what you're telling
me. Almost always my (inveterate and incessant) donwloads are fro
msites like freeware arena, links and NoNags (members only)

--