Karmagirl...problem with advertisments again!
Saturday, September 20, 2003 by kona0197 | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Every now and then a popup comes up and says "do you wish to install gator componets from gain INC?"
It has happened twice today to me and a bunch of times before in the last week.
Last time I checked, Goter componets are nothing but spyware and such.
Anybody else have this problem?
It has happened twice today to me and a bunch of times before in the last week.
Last time I checked, Goter componets are nothing but spyware and such.
Anybody else have this problem?
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sig101
Reply #42 Sunday, September 21, 2003 6:53 PM
Reply #42 Sunday, September 21, 2003 6:53 PM
Jafo's point is correct: if users are given sufficient info about the program and are given a chance to accept or decline a download and install, there's really not anything to complain about to the vendor/company. If a user doesn't read the terms of use and any other info that may have been provided and installs the product that can't be blamed on the company. And as long as an uninstall option is available, it should be used.
There are a number of apps that collect tracking info, etc for marketing, advertising purposes. Some freeware apps do contain this sort of "spyware." There's nothing illegal about it especially as long as the user opts into this and it's clear that this is what the app does. A number of outfits have cleaned up their acts, under pressure from antispyware folks, providing opt in/opt out options for potential users. Apparently Gator is one of them. But once a company/product gets on a spyware list and is targeted by antispyware apps, it's pretty much "branded."
What's truly reprehensible is when there is no notice and stealth installs are accomplished without the user's consent as in the eAnthology case I mentioned above. Technically it wasn't primarily a spyware app, but this was a vendor foisting his software on people who never knowingly consented to an install. Stealth installs are what you can complain about, whether it's spyware or not. SurferBar is a recent app on the scene that apparently actually uses an exploit and a trojan to install itself. But these can be prevented by taking some care to secure your browser as I said.
Here's a site a University professor first put together for his students, but it's grown considerably from its initial use. It has info about all sorts of things relating to internet security and privacy and links to other sites and programs. There's a section on browser configuration for different browsers that should be helpful. http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/main-nf.htm
Some people disable ActiveX entirely in IE, but then you'll find a number of sites won't completely work right. So the tighter your browser settings are the more awkward you may find it using some sites. The key is to find what's right for you while still maintaining some basic security better than the default settings. As I said at least disable install on demand in IE Advanced settings. You get there by opening on your top bar, Tools, Internet Options, Advanced tab. And installing SpywareBlaster also helps. Just keep it updated.
[Message Edited]
There are a number of apps that collect tracking info, etc for marketing, advertising purposes. Some freeware apps do contain this sort of "spyware." There's nothing illegal about it especially as long as the user opts into this and it's clear that this is what the app does. A number of outfits have cleaned up their acts, under pressure from antispyware folks, providing opt in/opt out options for potential users. Apparently Gator is one of them. But once a company/product gets on a spyware list and is targeted by antispyware apps, it's pretty much "branded."
What's truly reprehensible is when there is no notice and stealth installs are accomplished without the user's consent as in the eAnthology case I mentioned above. Technically it wasn't primarily a spyware app, but this was a vendor foisting his software on people who never knowingly consented to an install. Stealth installs are what you can complain about, whether it's spyware or not. SurferBar is a recent app on the scene that apparently actually uses an exploit and a trojan to install itself. But these can be prevented by taking some care to secure your browser as I said.
Here's a site a University professor first put together for his students, but it's grown considerably from its initial use. It has info about all sorts of things relating to internet security and privacy and links to other sites and programs. There's a section on browser configuration for different browsers that should be helpful. http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/main-nf.htm
Some people disable ActiveX entirely in IE, but then you'll find a number of sites won't completely work right. So the tighter your browser settings are the more awkward you may find it using some sites. The key is to find what's right for you while still maintaining some basic security better than the default settings. As I said at least disable install on demand in IE Advanced settings. You get there by opening on your top bar, Tools, Internet Options, Advanced tab. And installing SpywareBlaster also helps. Just keep it updated.
[Message Edited]
IPlural
Reply #43 Sunday, September 21, 2003 7:10 PM
Reply #43 Sunday, September 21, 2003 7:10 PM
heck...
Bet people would freak to learn that Logitech mouse drivers come with a Backdoor built into the driver under the guise of being a needed component amoung others.
BackWeb / Western Digital DLGLI.EXE - Installed by Western Digital Data Lifeline among others. Purports to monitor your hard drive for problems, but is suspected of being a vehicle for displaying unwanted advertisements as well. ***More recently, Backweb was caught installing along with Logitech mouse drivers (!)*** (Do you really need web-update for ****ing mouse drivers?)
such as:
Radlight DivX Movie Player - The nature of the software itself is unknown. However, it will intentionally search out and delete AD-Aware from your hard drive, then dump a number of malware products on your system. This puts it on the level of a VIRUS in my book; such a behaviour is completely unacceptable.
or the following...
"Backdoor Santas"
Non-stealth "freeware" and shareware apps that may transmit personal information or expose your computer to attack, under the pretense of providing a useful service.
Download Demon / Real Download / Netscape Smart Download (same/similar programs)
Comet Cursor
RealJukebox See this article by Richard Smith.
Alexa, Zbubbles See this article. An Alexa representative asserts that the company "no longer
receives any personal information as of early 2000".
Microsoft Windows Registration Wizard
DigitalConvergence (DigitalDemographics) C.R.Q. software, CueCat barcode scanner
NBCi QuickClick (tm) - See MSNBC article.
Gator, Offer Companion, Trickler (FSG.EXE / fsg-ag.exe)@ - Installed by (EVERYTHING!) - Including AudioGalaxy
Want a link to help keep on top of these things?
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
if anyone is interested...
fwiw
[Message Edited]
Bet people would freak to learn that Logitech mouse drivers come with a Backdoor built into the driver under the guise of being a needed component amoung others.
BackWeb / Western Digital DLGLI.EXE - Installed by Western Digital Data Lifeline among others. Purports to monitor your hard drive for problems, but is suspected of being a vehicle for displaying unwanted advertisements as well. ***More recently, Backweb was caught installing along with Logitech mouse drivers (!)*** (Do you really need web-update for ****ing mouse drivers?)
such as:
Radlight DivX Movie Player - The nature of the software itself is unknown. However, it will intentionally search out and delete AD-Aware from your hard drive, then dump a number of malware products on your system. This puts it on the level of a VIRUS in my book; such a behaviour is completely unacceptable.
or the following...
"Backdoor Santas"
Non-stealth "freeware" and shareware apps that may transmit personal information or expose your computer to attack, under the pretense of providing a useful service.
Download Demon / Real Download / Netscape Smart Download (same/similar programs)
Comet Cursor
RealJukebox See this article by Richard Smith.
Alexa, Zbubbles See this article. An Alexa representative asserts that the company "no longer
receives any personal information as of early 2000".
Microsoft Windows Registration Wizard
DigitalConvergence (DigitalDemographics) C.R.Q. software, CueCat barcode scanner
NBCi QuickClick (tm) - See MSNBC article.
Gator, Offer Companion, Trickler (FSG.EXE / fsg-ag.exe)@ - Installed by (EVERYTHING!) - Including AudioGalaxy
Want a link to help keep on top of these things?
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
if anyone is interested...
fwiw
[Message Edited]
kona0197
Reply #44 Sunday, September 21, 2003 8:29 PM
Reply #44 Sunday, September 21, 2003 8:29 PM
It happened to me again! I just got done doing a dirty install thanks to a slip up in Litestep and there it goes on WC! that gain gator crap!
It has to be coming from here because after I reinstalled 98 this is where I came first. My browser has no other history, it is a clean slate.
It has to be coming from here because after I reinstalled 98 this is where I came first. My browser has no other history, it is a clean slate.
Jafo
Reply #45 Sunday, September 21, 2003 9:13 PM
Reply #45 Sunday, September 21, 2003 9:13 PM
No....you'll only think you are clean because nothing was found...that does not mean that nothing is there. Gator did not come from this website...
kona0197
Reply #46 Sunday, September 21, 2003 9:18 PM
where did it come from then? I just did a reinstall of the OS and a reinstall of all the updates. This is the only site I have been on ALL day. Ad aware and sybot both say my PC are clean. And of course they both are updated.
Damn... maybe if I do a clean install you will believe me?
BTW LiteStep is the reason I had to do a dirty install >
so now I am using nextstart
PS Paul is there a chance i could get a copy of your current sysmetrix theme? I love the look of a simple clock with other things imbedded in the face.
Reply #46 Sunday, September 21, 2003 9:18 PM
| No....you'll only think you are clean because nothing was found...that does not mean that nothing is there. Gator did not come from this website... |
where did it come from then? I just did a reinstall of the OS and a reinstall of all the updates. This is the only site I have been on ALL day. Ad aware and sybot both say my PC are clean. And of course they both are updated.
Damn... maybe if I do a clean install you will believe me?
BTW LiteStep is the reason I had to do a dirty install >
so now I am using nextstartPS Paul is there a chance i could get a copy of your current sysmetrix theme? I love the look of a simple clock with other things imbedded in the face.
IPlural
Reply #47 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:11 PM
Reply #47 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:11 PM
clean install, means you formatted the drive correct?
Also, what drivers are you loading? ANy CD's with drivers on them?
Gator and some others were added to many OEM CD's and also Driver CD's...
read that web link I posted, you will be shocked just who played in that game not to long ago... and still does for that matter
Also, what drivers are you loading? ANy CD's with drivers on them?
Gator and some others were added to many OEM CD's and also Driver CD's...
read that web link I posted, you will be shocked just who played in that game not to long ago... and still does for that matter
kona0197
Reply #48 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:28 PM
Dell drivers. Any other drivers are from Microsoft.
Reply #48 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:28 PM
| Also, what drivers are you loading? ANy CD's with drivers on them? |
Dell drivers. Any other drivers are from Microsoft.
IPlural
Reply #49 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:33 PM
Reply #49 Sunday, September 21, 2003 10:33 PM
mmmm, you saving emailbox for outlook or OExpress?
Your notsetting up your email acount and connecting to it before you connect online to any web sites?
Might not be deleting your email from your ISP email server and when you connect the first time it downloads emails, and if you do not have scripts turned off, it could be loading a pif, scr or some such as soon as O/OE browses the first email in the browser pain?
Your notsetting up your email acount and connecting to it before you connect online to any web sites?
Might not be deleting your email from your ISP email server and when you connect the first time it downloads emails, and if you do not have scripts turned off, it could be loading a pif, scr or some such as soon as O/OE browses the first email in the browser pain?
Jafo
Reply #50 Sunday, September 21, 2003 11:35 PM
Reply #50 Sunday, September 21, 2003 11:35 PM
All depends on what you refer to as a 're-install'. From formatted disk then you 'could' be inadvertently installing this proggy from a 'dirty' driver installer.
If it's just a case of re-installing over an existing formatted drive then the chances are it's just still on the drive/registry/startup etc. Just because a 'checker' claims you are clean does not guarantee you are clean...
If it's just a case of re-installing over an existing formatted drive then the chances are it's just still on the drive/registry/startup etc. Just because a 'checker' claims you are clean does not guarantee you are clean...
kona0197
Reply #51 Monday, September 22, 2003 8:09 AM
nope.
Reply #51 Monday, September 22, 2003 8:09 AM
| mmmm, you saving emailbox for outlook or OExpress? |
nope.
kona0197
Reply #52 Monday, September 22, 2003 8:12 AM
it also happened before the reinstall.
the only proggies on my machine are windows, adaware, search and destroy, antivir, free ram pro.
Reply #52 Monday, September 22, 2003 8:12 AM
| All depends on what you refer to as a 're-install'. From formatted disk then you 'could' be inadvertently installing this proggy from a 'dirty' driver installer. If it's just a case of re-installing over an existing formatted drive then the chances are it's just still on the drive/registry/startup etc. Just because a 'checker' claims you are clean does not guarantee you are clean... |
it also happened before the reinstall.
the only proggies on my machine are windows, adaware, search and destroy, antivir, free ram pro.
KarmaGirl
Reply #53 Monday, September 22, 2003 9:35 AM
Reply #53 Monday, September 22, 2003 9:35 AM
Are you getting this pop-up while logged into WinCustomize? Because, not even banners run when you are logged in.
In the past we did have an issue with a campaign that was running. It was a banner that spawned a pop-up without our consent.
Has anyone else had this happen? I haven't been able to reproduce it.
IPlural
Reply #54 Monday, September 22, 2003 9:55 AM
Reply #54 Monday, September 22, 2003 9:55 AM
nope, not here, even with everything turned off and my computer bare to the net...
Seiphon
Reply #56 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:08 AM
Reply #56 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:08 AM
Okay. This time the response isn't from 'Rex' 
It's from Tracy~ I'm guessing 'Rex' passed me to his Supervisor or something..
(In response to me kicking [supposedly] Rex's Ass):
Matthew,
>From what you are describing, it does not sound like an application(s) is
being installed, but rather that your browser's settings for ActiveX are
set to low (ActiveX is set to automatically download without prompting)
and you are seeing that activity. Because we want people to make an
informed choice if the security is set to not prompt (to auto download/run
ActiveX), the plugin (which has already been authorized to download/run by
the browser's low/enabled setting), displays the prompt (rather than the
browser) and then proceeds according to which button is selected(the Yes
or the No).
If you check the Security settings for Internet Explorer (click on the
Tools drop down menu in Internet Explorer and select Internet Options, and
then click on the Security tab) what 'level' is it set to? If it is set
to "Custom", if you click on the "Custom Level" button, what is the
"ActiveX controls and plug-ins" set to (in particular the 'Download Signed
ActiveX Control' section)?
Tracey.
I think she's sort of saying the same thing 'Rex' said. But this time~ I'm given instructions on how to stop this. But I think she's digressing there, because she#s telling me, as the End User, how to stop getting GAIN on my PC, but she ain't gonna stop dishing out spyware yet alone admit that's what Gator actually is. Please post your thoughts on this.
It's from Tracy~ I'm guessing 'Rex' passed me to his Supervisor or something..(In response to me kicking [supposedly] Rex's Ass):
Matthew,
>From what you are describing, it does not sound like an application(s) is
being installed, but rather that your browser's settings for ActiveX are
set to low (ActiveX is set to automatically download without prompting)
and you are seeing that activity. Because we want people to make an
informed choice if the security is set to not prompt (to auto download/run
ActiveX), the plugin (which has already been authorized to download/run by
the browser's low/enabled setting), displays the prompt (rather than the
browser) and then proceeds according to which button is selected(the Yes
or the No).
If you check the Security settings for Internet Explorer (click on the
Tools drop down menu in Internet Explorer and select Internet Options, and
then click on the Security tab) what 'level' is it set to? If it is set
to "Custom", if you click on the "Custom Level" button, what is the
"ActiveX controls and plug-ins" set to (in particular the 'Download Signed
ActiveX Control' section)?
Tracey.
I think she's sort of saying the same thing 'Rex' said. But this time~ I'm given instructions on how to stop this. But I think she's digressing there, because she#s telling me, as the End User, how to stop getting GAIN on my PC, but she ain't gonna stop dishing out spyware yet alone admit that's what Gator actually is. Please post your thoughts on this.
IPlural
Reply #57 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:15 AM
your browser authorized it as if it had a choice...
Thats about as stupid as that "Are you Sure" Prompt when you tell Windows to Shut Down....
In that case you TELL your computer OS to do something and it acts like you've spoken to it in Latin, in the other case it makes assumptions and GAIN blames you for them using a loop hole....
Reply #57 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:15 AM
your browser authorized it as if it had a choice...Thats about as stupid as that "Are you Sure" Prompt when you tell Windows to Shut Down....
In that case you TELL your computer OS to do something and it acts like you've spoken to it in Latin, in the other case it makes assumptions and GAIN blames you for them using a loop hole....
KarmaGirl
Reply #58 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:16 AM
Reply #58 Monday, September 22, 2003 10:16 AM
No, she is telling you how to stop your computer from auto-installing programs like that offered through GAIN. There are many ActiveX programs that will auto-install if you allow them to.
On a personal note, I think that you went a little bit far with your email to support. I'm actually amazed that they answered you. If you were to email support at Stardock with that type of abuse, you wouldn't get an answer. Out of respect to our employees, they are not required to answer email that is abusive or contains inappropriate language. They are just people on the other end of that email. They also probably have absolutely no input on how the program is distributed.
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Reply #41 Sunday, September 21, 2003 5:53 PM