Shame On Lavasoft

Sjaak · 02-15-05, 06:58 AM

Many of you will know and use the program ad-aware which has been famous for thoroughly cleaning out a computers registry and file system of 'evil' software.

However, it seems something has changed. According to This Source Ad-aware systematically skips files from the adware company WhenU. In ad-aware's definition files from earlier then 29 december, WhenU would still be signed as malicious and to-be-removed, but in definitions of a more recent date it isn't, eg. the files and programs from that company are left on the pc. The same happened for the anti-spyware program Pest Patrol

Its hard to translate from dutch for me, but it comes down to the suspection that Lavasoft and possible other companies have made a deal with an adware producing company to leave their software alone...

theMonster · 02-15-05, 07:13 AM

WhenU? As in WhenU gonna quit using that glorified cookie deleter called AdAware?

Sjaak · 02-15-05, 08:06 AM

As in, the suspection that Lavasoft is being paid by adware companies to skip their software in the ad-aware malicious databases.

JerMe · 02-15-05, 11:33 PM

Thanks for the info. It's always good practice to have multiple scanners, so if Lavasoft won't catch it, then Spybot, Spysweeper, or Giant hopefully will.

thegreek · 02-16-05, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerMe

so if Lavasoft won't catch it, then Spybot, Spysweeper, or Giant hopefully will.

that's what I'm talking about

9mmCensor · 02-16-05, 12:47 AM

psss. just be smart and dont install spyware.

TUK101 · 02-16-05, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmCensor

psss. just be smart and dont install spyware.

Then that pretty much means staying off from the internet.

TollhouseFrank · 02-16-05, 01:06 AM

95% of spyware/malware/name-it-ware can be avoided by smart useage of your compy and the net. However, i HAVE run into problems with people embedding it in a program i really wanted, or embedding it in a javascript. Those are 99.9% of the ones i get.

Mr.Guvernment · 02-16-05, 01:26 AM

^^ ever since i switched to firefox i installed spybot after about 2 months of usage - it found 1 spyware which was a tracking cookie and the usual windows DOS problem.

and i visit more then my share of sites that try to install crap (no-cd patch sites)

Sjaak · 02-16-05, 01:51 AM

Let's stay on topic.

I read the article on tweakers.net more thoroughly. It seems that lavasoft carries the argument that WhenU suddenly 'no longer poses a spyware threat to the user, therefor it doesn't need to be removed' (eg. they de-classed it as spyware).

Its weird that they didn't gave an official note about it untill someone noticed...Also, two forum threads (on their official forums) about it were removed..reason: 'something went wrong while merging two threads'

WhenU was recently raised in 'ad-ware status', the makers of Aluria's Security Center included it in their malware database not too long ago. That makes the Lavasoft reasons sound kinda weird...

Oni · 02-16-05, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmCensor

psss. just be smart and dont install spyware.

95% of my clients barely know how to turn their computers on, let alone know that most things on the internet are malicious.

MonroeM · 02-16-05, 02:48 AM

^^Ain't it the truth?

Sjaak · 02-16-05, 03:00 AM

sigh

ghettocomp · 02-16-05, 03:24 AM

I was wondering why I Had to remove all the WhenU by hand lately!
I'm wondering what else they have 'forgotten'

Sjaak · 02-16-05, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettocomp

I'm wondering what else they have 'forgotten'

Or skipped on purpose? If it turns out they actually got paid for it by WhenU or any affiliated company, it can turn out really bad for Lavasoft.

Oni · 02-16-05, 12:47 PM

I just lost a whole lot of faith in Lavasoft. Ad-Aware was the premier free spyware removal tool. Something everybody could use to stop annoying popups or spyware that grinds your computer to a halt. Now they've sold out. Even if they reneg and start scanning for this particular piece of badware, I don't know if I'll ever be truely able to trust the job that their software is doing.

Super Nade · 02-16-05, 02:44 PM

Allow me to add my 0.02 here.
This is disgusting if true, simply because you are paying for non-existent protection.
I may have to warn my University authorities about this. I personally don't use Adaware because it cannot coexist with the XP on my system. Spybot is way better and more stable IMO. Frankly though, I think I'm smart enough to avoid clicking on "I agree" blindly

Skeen · 02-16-05, 02:44 PM

Yeah but like you said (Oni) it is free. I may stop using a program that doesn't do its job or isn't reliable, but I'm not going to be filled with righteous indignation about it. I mean, they don't owe me anything.

I.M.O.G. · 02-16-05, 02:47 PM

but they charge people for it also skeen, thats the point - the scanner we are using for free is the same scanner other people pay for, and still not be protected by.

Skeen · 02-16-05, 02:54 PM

I see, yes I'd be ****ed too. I know its beside the point but why would people pay for it? Is it sort of like the way you could pay for 3dMark if you want to? Are there added functions?

02-15-05, 06:58 AM	Thread Starter #1
Sjaak Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Netherlands	Shame On Lavasoft Many of you will know and use the program ad-aware which has been famous for thoroughly cleaning out a computers registry and file system of 'evil' software. However, it seems something has changed. According to This Source Ad-aware systematically skips files from the adware company WhenU. In ad-aware's definition files from earlier then 29 december, WhenU would still be signed as malicious and to-be-removed, but in definitions of a more recent date it isn't, eg. the files and programs from that company are left on the pc. The same happened for the anti-spyware program Pest Patrol Its hard to translate from dutch for me, but it comes down to the suspection that Lavasoft and possible other companies have made a deal with an adware producing company to leave their software alone... __________________ 'Apparantly reality has a strong liberal bias'
	QUOTE Thanks

02-15-05, 07:13 AM	#2
theMonster Disabled Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: At the pub	WhenU? As in WhenU gonna quit using that glorified cookie deleter called AdAware?
	QUOTE Thanks

02-15-05, 08:06 AM	Thread Starter #3
Sjaak Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Netherlands	As in, the suspection that Lavasoft is being paid by adware companies to skip their software in the ad-aware malicious databases. __________________ 'Apparantly reality has a strong liberal bias'
	QUOTE Thanks

02-15-05, 11:33 PM	#4
JerMe Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York City	Thanks for the info. It's always good practice to have multiple scanners, so if Lavasoft won't catch it, then Spybot, Spysweeper, or Giant hopefully will. __________________ Build!.Borg!.Recruit!.Folding.for.Team.32!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 12:47 AM	#6
9mmCensor Disabled Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Banned Camp	psss. just be smart and dont install spyware.
	QUOTE Thanks

Shame On Lavasoft

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02-16-05, 01:06 AM	#8
TollhouseFrank Senior Headphone Guru Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: T3h Intr@tub3z!	95% of spyware/malware/name-it-ware can be avoided by smart useage of your compy and the net. However, i HAVE run into problems with people embedding it in a program i really wanted, or embedding it in a javascript. Those are 99.9% of the ones i get. __________________ Become a fan on Facebook! \| Help improve overclockers.com! Get involved! \| Follow us on Twitter!
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02-16-05, 01:26 AM	#9
Mr.Guvernment Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Costa Rica - and toronto sometimes	^^ ever since i switched to firefox i installed spybot after about 2 months of usage - it found 1 spyware which was a tracking cookie and the usual windows DOS problem. and i visit more then my share of sites that try to install crap (no-cd patch sites) __________________ ¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸© Poor Planning On Your Part Does Not Constitute An Emergency On My Part ©¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸ ¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸© The trouble with life is there’s no background music ©¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸ ¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸© Life isnt short, you're just dead for too long©¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸ ADD YOUR STEAM ID TO THE LIST FOR HOURS OF FUN!
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02-16-05, 01:51 AM	Thread Starter #10
Sjaak Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Netherlands	Let's stay on topic. I read the article on tweakers.net more thoroughly. It seems that lavasoft carries the argument that WhenU suddenly 'no longer poses a spyware threat to the user, therefor it doesn't need to be removed' (eg. they de-classed it as spyware). Its weird that they didn't gave an official note about it untill someone noticed...Also, two forum threads (on their official forums) about it were removed..reason: 'something went wrong while merging two threads' WhenU was recently raised in 'ad-ware status', the makers of Aluria's Security Center included it in their malware database not too long ago. That makes the Lavasoft reasons sound kinda weird... __________________ 'Apparantly reality has a strong liberal bias'
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 02:48 AM	#12
MonroeM Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Back in class =(	^^Ain't it the truth?
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 03:00 AM	Thread Starter #13
Sjaak Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Netherlands	sigh __________________ 'Apparantly reality has a strong liberal bias'
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 03:24 AM	#14
ghettocomp Master of teh Ghetto Mods Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Choosing between two evils, I might pick the one I've never tried before.	I was wondering why I Had to remove all the WhenU by hand lately! I'm wondering what else they have 'forgotten' __________________ I find that most people are like Slinkies.. They are not really good for anything, but can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. :P
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 12:47 PM	#16
Oni Oni-ni-Kanabō Ninja Hippo eater Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada	I just lost a whole lot of faith in Lavasoft. Ad-Aware was the premier free spyware removal tool. Something everybody could use to stop annoying popups or spyware that grinds your computer to a halt. Now they've sold out. Even if they reneg and start scanning for this particular piece of badware, I don't know if I'll ever be truely able to trust the job that their software is doing. __________________ Mama, put my guns in the ground. I can't shoot them anymore. On Indefinite Hiatus Asus P6T SE Intel i7 930 @ Stock 12GB Corsair DDR3 9-9-9-24 XFX Radeon 5830 @ Stock Corsair 750 Watt PSU
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 02:44 PM	#17
Super Nade † SU(3) Moderator † Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Indianapolis	Allow me to add my 0.02 here. This is disgusting if true, simply because you are paying for non-existent protection. I may have to warn my University authorities about this. I personally don't use Adaware because it cannot coexist with the XP on my system. Spybot is way better and more stable IMO. Frankly though, I think I'm smart enough to avoid clicking on "I agree" blindly __________________ Motherboard Repair Tutorial \|\| Power Supply Repair Tutorial \|\| A Closer Look at PSU Signals \|\| Understanding SMPS Technology \|\| ASUS P5K Capacitor mod \|\| Kernel Compile Guide \|\| Guide to Wiping an SSD Words of wisdom from krag: "Love & trust are 2 completely different things. Trust is earned, love on the other hand should be given without measure." My hwbot profile
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02-16-05, 02:44 PM	#18
Skeen Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati	Yeah but like you said (Oni) it is free. I may stop using a program that doesn't do its job or isn't reliable, but I'm not going to be filled with righteous indignation about it. I mean, they don't owe me anything.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-16-05, 02:47 PM	#19
I.M.O.G. Homeless Leader Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rootstown, OH	but they charge people for it also skeen, thats the point - the scanner we are using for free is the same scanner other people pay for, and still not be protected by. __________________ The OC Forums Way We are a team. We are a community. We are a fellowship made strong by mutual respect and shared dedication to the task of enriching all who come here. The OC Forums Thank You Thread Put your computer to work for our OC Forum Teams! Try out our POST TEMPLATES, they save you time answering common questions! I spend half my money on CPUs, GPUs, and Liquid Nitrogen. The other half I waste.
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02-16-05, 02:54 PM	#20
Skeen Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati	I see, yes I'd be ****ed too. I know its beside the point but why would people pay for it? Is it sort of like the way you could pay for 3dMark if you want to? Are there added functions?
	QUOTE Thanks

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