Spyware with Limewire?
 

To all you people with un-protected spyware systems, I reccomend that you either get a spyware program, I suggest a well known one or goto www.microsoft.com and they have a new and wondeful spyware program absolutely free! As Limewire staff say..."Theres no Bundled Software of Spyware", Well I'm sorry to say that you are wrong and that EVERY version has "Grokster" It is something that gets into your online connection aka Internet and will infect it soon enough. Even if you download Limewire off of www.limewire.com you will still get this problem. Even though Limewire is now one of the best MP3 downloading programs it is also the most virus/spyware/adware componet out there. No need to offend you people who created Limewire, me myself like it, BUT you need to be ready for what comes for you with Grokster. Not much is detailed about it with Mircosoft Spyware program. It is a low threat to a computer but still pretty harmful. So I hope you learn from this and enjoy your stay with Limewire

Telling a story that Limewire contains spyware, OK.
But you have to come with some proof
So what is this grokster ?
Gan you give us a screenshot of this antispyware prog while it detects Grokster related to limewire ?
How does if infect, what does it do ?
So far you seem to be the only one that's having problems with it .
What version of Limewire are you talking about ?

Please see http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=32291 . It explains why Microsoft's Anti-Spyware tool is wrong.

Infact, I could provide screenshots and a another one of a software bundle script in the Limewire folder in program files... But I had just removed Grokster from my system. So you will need to wait a little intil it can come back. Also Grokster is an Internet Hijacker witch means it will infect your internet and can track what you do on the internet. Also Microsoft spyware program is not wrong at all. If you trying to play this safe so more people can download your program so you have a larger community thats plain dumb. Once Microsoft's Spyware is out in full most people will find this problem and will execute the problem and maybe goto a different file sharing network becuase they feel un-safe with Limewire. I'm not saying I dislike Limewire but it could have some built in spyware/virus protecion. Because just about an hour ago I downloaded a file and it was actually a high risk file that I had to use Norton Anti Virus to execute it. Microsoft is not wrong, you are and you arent checking it out yourself.

Actually people are having this problem search for "spyware" in the search thing on your forum and look for some topics about it. Also Grokster is related to Limeware because I just reformated my computer and I JUST downloaded Limewire again and it showed up as spyware.

If you'd like to provide screenshots, go ahead. It doesn't change the fact that LimeWire contains absolutely no bundled software. If a tool you're using detects LimeWire as bundling something, then the simple fact of the matter is the tool is wrong.

To re-iterate, LimeWire contains absolutely no bundled software, no spyware, no adware, no nothing. All LimeWire contains is LimeWire.

If you would like the technical answer ...

Microsoft's tool is detecting a registry key known as a "magnet handler". This key allows programs to use magnet links (see http://creativecommons.org/wired for some example magnet links) to download files via a p2p program, similiar to the way http links allow browsing within a webbrowser. The first tool that Microsoft found who used magnet links was "Grokster" (a competing P2P program). Because Microsoft did not know what the link was for, they falsely labelled it a threat (and named it Grokster). It is not a threat. It is perfectly legimate.

To repeat one more time: there is no spyware or bundled software in LimeWire.

You have prooved enough. I belive know that it is spyware free. One thing though if Grokster is a competeting P2P Program why add it in yours? Also if you wouldn't mind stickying this topic because I know some people with the same problems.

You're misunderstanding. We do not bundle Grokster. We bundle nothing.

For an analogy, consider a child learning what a "park" is. They see green grass for the first time in a park, and equate grass with the word "park". When they leave the city and go to a house with grass in the front, the child says, "Wow, a park!". But it's not a park, it's just grass.

Microsoft is the child. They noticed magnet links (the grass) with Grokster (the park), and now every time they see a magnet link they consider it a threat with the wrong label.

Got it ;)

Nice expanation Sam !

"microsoft is the child" :D

Anyway I downloaded it and it indeed labels Limewire as infected, it even found another thing that Adaware and Spybot didn't mention....I'm not to worried about it at this stage, i'll try and find out tomorrow.
Here's the screenshot:

Told ya, even though the add-on that Limewire provides is completely harmless and that Microsoft just messed up.

Here's my scan (God I hate anything that puts itself on my computer)

Paul,

Please read my posts in this thread which explain why the results from Microsoft's scan are wrong.

I think my last post was misleading, I am firmly convinced that my spyware problems are not caused by LW, just that they attach themselves to LW. BTW My Spyware program is nothing to do with Microsoft, it is made by Sunbelt Software. I will also add that I have tried a few P2P programs and think that LW Pro is the best.

The spyware doesn't attach itself to limewire, its the programme you use that messes things up.
It's even worse than the Microsoft version.
It sees "Magnet" and knows that the free version from Grokster and of course Kazaa (the king of spyware) allso use magnet handlers.
So it concludes: anything that uses a magnet handler must be either Grokster or Kazaa.

It's like: I know of 2 criminals that use a blue car, so all people with a blue car must be one of those 2 criminals.

Interesting. Point taken

I have been on to the company that make my Spyware program "Counterspy by Sunbelt Software" and I am pleased to say that they have addressed this issue and now exclude LimeWire Magnet handlers as being KaZaa or Grokster, and recognize them as genuine.

MS AntiSpyware
 

Dear All

I downloaded MS Spyware last night and used it for the very first time, taking care to get the latest updates before use.

At this point, I want to mention that I also use Adaware SE and Spybot, which I keep updated with their latest definitions, and always run before doing any online financial stuff.

Anyway, I ran MS Spyware and it found two diallers and some dodgy registry entries.

Now I can't say how long these pieces of crap has been on my machine, could have been months, days or hours, but I can now say that MS Spyware will now become an integral part of my PC protection.

Finally, I believe MS has now fixed the “Grokster” problem because I did not get it coming up in my spyware results, and I use LW Pro V4.4.1 running on Win XP SP1.




UK Bob

Hi there,

I also heard that LW was associated with Grokster. I installed the new Microsoft Spyware beta 1 but it didn't detect LW or Grokster. (So maybe UK Bob is right about it being fixed.)

I searched on google about the new spyware program and it came up with this.


Microsoft probes anti-spyware Trojan
Published: February 10, 2005, 12:11 PM PST
By Dan Ilett
Special to CNET News.com
TrackBack Print E-mail TalkBack

Microsoft is investigating a piece of malicious code that targets the recently released beta version of its AntiSpyware product.

On Wednesday, antivirus company Sophos reported a new Trojan horse, dubbed "Bankash-A," which suppresses warning messages displayed by Microsoft AntiSpyware and deletes all of the files in the program's folder. The Trojan also steals passwords and online-banking details from Windows users.

"Microsoft is actively investigating new public reports of a criminal attack, known as the 'Bankash-A Trojan'," the company wrote in an e-mail statement. "Microsoft is not aware of any significant customer impact resulting from the Trojan. Microsoft continues to recommend customers evaluate the Microsoft AntiSpyware beta and encourage customers to follow the three steps to help keep your PC protected (at) www.microsoft.com/protect."

The software giant is also offering free support to victims of the Trojan.Microsoft probes anti-spyware Trojan Microsoft probes anti-spyware Trojan

I don't have much knowledge about computers and this scared the **** out of me so I uninstalled it.

Something that does happen when I've been on LW (doesn't mean it's LW's fault) is that my anti-spyware programs finds SaHaGent. (ShopAtHomeSelect) Could this be cos I've downloaded a dodgy file??

Regards, Lindy:)

MS AntiSpyware (again)
 

Dear Lindyloo

I can understand that you were scared by the new reported Trojan, "Bankash-A", but I fail to see why that would make you uninstall MS AntiSpyware.

You see, Trojans can only be caught by downloading something, like a dodgy file, getting it from an infected disk, an e-mail attachment, secret installation or a hacker placing it on your PC via an unprotected open port.

What you have done is like a man throwing away his bullet proof vest because someone has invented a bullet that can pierce it, so making himself vulnerable to anyone else with any other type of bullet.

Besides, if you keep your anti-virus software up to date, and run it over any files you download, then that should be able to get rid of this Trojan before it can do any damage.

Keep your PC protection and keep them up to date.





UK Bob

Thankyou UKBob
 

Hi Bob,

Thankyou very much for your reply.

As I said I don't know much about computers and the way Spyware etc and Trojans work. I guess I knew really that Trojans came in stuff you downloaded but I just panicked, (just went and got my vest outta the bin also hee hee)

While I'm here could you tell me where best to get Java runtime environment from. I know this is a daft question but I've just been reading another thread about naughty B*****d hoax Limewire sites. (I know these ppl were conning others out of money but I'm scared incase I go to the wrong place (if that's possible)

Thanks again Uk Bob:)

Sun Java Runtime
 

Dear Lindyloo

You can download the latest Java Runtime Environment from the Sun website, no need to worry about being ripped off because it is FREE.

Here's the URL:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp




UK Bob

i noe this is off topic but i got a question how do u clear search history in limewire?

Thanks Bob, :)

Lindy

Sorry infamouzballa41st. I haven't a clue :confused:

Hi UK Bob,

Just had a thought about the Trojan "Bankash-A". The Trojan cleaner I have doesn't have it listed in the data base, so it wouldn't be able to detect it. I run AVG free edition and the last time I ran it over something before installing, it said no viruses found. Then when I tried to install, it found a Trojan.

What do you think?? I know you can only get Trojans if you download something, but if this Trojan is targeting MS Spyware thingy then would it not be best to leave it until the find a fix

Yours, (who hasn't a clue but can waffle a lot), Lindy x

Trojans, Viruses and Spyware
 

Dear Lindyloo

I don't know about AVG but if it is anything like Norton Anti-Virus it must be updated regularly, so it may not have this Trojan in its database now but it soon will. As long as you keep your virus/Trojan definitions/database up to date you have very little, if anything, to worry about.

If you want extra safety then use Prevx Home V2.0 as well, this is an anti-secret installation software that stop things creeping into your PC and installing themselves. It is FREE and available from here:

http://www.prevx.com/prevxhome.asp

Lindy, there is something you must understand about protection software and that is every popular protection application is a target. The aim is to disable your computer's protection and then steal information from your PC, such as your banking or credit card details. However, throwing away your protection does not make you safe, like the man who threw away his bullet proof vest, it only makes you more vulnerable.

And also, please remember, a Trojan, virus or spyware does not seek out a protected PCs, they find careless owners and vulnerable PCs.

Here is something that recently happened to me:

A few months ago my teenage son downloaded something onto my PC, what it was he wont say (he his now banned). Whatever it was it targeted both my Norton AntiVirus and Firewall, it rendered both of them useless and locked me out of their controls

It took me the entire day, from 9am to about 7pm, to get my anti-virus and firewall working again, and back in my control.

Now, I realise that because of my son's download, which had this hidden crap in it, some of my protection apps were hit (and hit hard) but I and my PC were not deliberately targeted it was just a trap that was set for the unwary, and my son fell into it.

However, that will not stop me from putting the protection back in place because it is there to protect my privacy and, to an extent, my family's way of life.

One other thing, remember the Sasser worm, nearly all the unprotected PCs in the western world were hit, I know of friends, friends of friends, and relatives that fell victim to this worm. However, while this worm was crawling into PCs all over the world I did not even get a sniff of it. Because I had my firewall in place, which makes my PC invisible to the internet, and my anti-virus, which eliminates anything that comes in via e-mail or embedded in a web page.

I consider that my entire arsenal of protection software, anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, firewall, port checker, etc., is there for my benefit and I will not uninstall them just because some miscreant may have targeted one or two of them.




UK Bob

PS. Hope my reply has not been too long.

Hi UK Bob,

Your reply was definitely not too long.

I really appreciate the time you took to write what you did.
As I've said B4 I'm not too clever when it comes to computers but I do enjoy learning. My main worry is my Boyfriend, who knows even less than me and may download & install something infected. I did get some information about Spyware etc and the effects it can have on computers and he did seem to take a little notice. I think I know a lot more about this kind of stuff than I dd a year ago (or even since B4 Christmas when my Brother put WinXP in for me).

I guess I'll just have to go back and take administrative rights away from my B/F (he probably won't notice.....lol.....)

As I said, I really do appreciate the time you have take to reply.

Regards, Lindy xx

All I know is, I just ran noadware, and it totally nuked Limewire.

I believe there *is* in fact spyware in there somewhere, why else would noadware catch it?

Do you guys mean no spyware in the free version, or do I have to buy it to get no adware?

Can you be more specific .

What version of Limewire was "totally nuked" and btw what do you mean by that ?
What spyware was found ?

Almost on topic is a statement by an antispy softw programmer: http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/art...ontentid=32206 That only two antispy softw's are reliable AND can be fully trusted!

In another article I read noadware has only recently had spyware taken out of it.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

doh :D :rolleyes:

Bogus Anti-Spyware Products.
 

Dear LOTR

I am always surprised that inexperienced users grab the first product they find, do very little research, and believe everything their unknown product pronounces.

They seem not to realise that the rules that govern their high street shops are very difficult to enforce on the internet, so extra care must be taken when buying, downloading or using anything.

This naivety has lead to novice user "Blah blah blah" using bogus anti-spyware software when a little research would have shown that SpyBot, Ad-Aware SE and MS AntiSpyware are the only trustworthy products out there. The others are either poor clones, loaded with spyware themselves and/or money making gimmicks.

The simple moral is: Always do your research before downloading or buying anything off the internet.




UK Bob

Go to www.microsoft.com and go to the newsgroup.
There you will find that MSAS is still in the Beta stages. YOU will find testimonials from people who say MSAS has crashed their computer completely and statements from microsoft employees that say MSAS gives alot of false positives. The link given two posts above (thanks LOTR) will tell you that Spybot and AD-Aware are the best anti-spyware out there. Limewire is safe. (Unless of course you don't check your files before downloading them as many of us have learned the hard way. But this is not Limewire these are unscrupulous users.)

Don't believe everything Bill Gates tells you.

Ok Teekay,

Get your point.
Thing is I've had some stuff that has given me false positives but MSAS wasn't one of them.
This may be because my computer is a stubborn begga, or maybe not.

I'm no expert, that's the truth. But tell me this (cos I don't know) would you say that you were as experienced in computers as LOTR or UKBob (I've no idea how experienced they 'R'.) Now don't be takin' that the wrong way cos I don't know any of you, RIGHT?
I s'pose what I'm thinking is what does anyone really know...........(not much when it comes to me......)

Lindy xx

DISCLAIMER: No offense was intended in the above. No responsibility will be taken if anyone gets a strop on and damages the floorboards.:) :)

Microsoft's Anti-Spyware has had a series of updates that have reduced the amount of false positives. They no longer falsely detect a threat with LimeWire, and I suspect a lot of other false positives are removed too.

No offense taken Lindy-Loo. Nope I'm not experienced in any way with computers. I was just repeating what I read and was told when I was researching MSAS. I am in no way slamming MS Anti-Spyware, I am planning on getting it once it's out of the Beta stages (not brave enough to try Beta), I just love limewire and hate to see it getting a bad reputation based on software that is still not proven. So I was just putting in my two bits and trying to fight for the good name of Limewire. LOL

Have a nice day!

About Prevx
 

Hi UK Bob,
You know the Prevx that you mention above, can you still get it? The reason I ask is cos I had a problem with the version I had so I un-installed it. Now when I click on that link I can only get Prevx1 which is not the one I had.
The icon of the one I had was sort of a bluey green and grey star like thing and it was free. The one I've downloaded now is only a trial version and the icon is like a set of traffic lights:confused:
The problem I had with the other doesn't really matter but I can't get the original version I had anywhere.

Any ideas??

Cheers, Lindy xx

P.S. Below is part of the post about Prevx


If you want extra safety then use Prevx Home V2.0 as well, this is an anti-secret installation software that stop things creeping into your PC and installing themselves. It is FREE and available from here:

http://www.prevx.com/prevxhome.asp

Lindyloo

You're lucky I came looking this way bewcause I do not usually look at threads this old.

Anyway, the old free Prevx is gone and only Prevx1 is now available, which you now have to pay for after the trial period has ended.

Sorry.


UK Bob

Thanks anyway Bob,

That explains the problem I had updating....lol

Cheers, Lindy xx