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   FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for

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Topic: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for (Read 195 times)

Rhune
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FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« on: Dec 9^th, 2003, 11:48am »

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http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/34406.html

One day we were happily surfing away, when all of a sudden a couple of web sites began to pop up, apparently from nowhere. We were stunned. Didn't we install a popup killer to prevent this from happening?

A quick inspection learned that the culprit was n-CASE, "a small application that is downloaded to your computer and runs in the background looking to show websites with information, offers and products that match keywords you are looking for", to cite the firm behind it.

Small application? It had swollen to a beast of 1.5 MB, Microsoft's process viewer showed. What was it sucking up?

According to some sites, n-CASE generates a log of your surfing activity, including the web pages you visit and in which order you visit them. The log is then uploaded to the n-Case server and used to open advertisements that fit your preferences.

We have to admit: n-Case seems pretty mild compared to other spyware. Some infected machines are known to have their start page and search bar reset to a company's home page and some parasites even mutate their filenames randomly as they are installed, so they cant be detected. A couple of months ago, another piece of spyware broke our TCP/IP (internet) connection, so we had to re-install Windows.

n-Case isn't exactly hiding. It has its own webpage, but the company doesnt provide a phone number or postal address, perhaps to avoid direct confrontation from users. The Whois database reveals that n-Case is located in the state of Washington and is part of 180solutions.com.

According to a recent MSNBC article, n-Case has quietly been installed on some 21 million computers around the world. The company says it is expecting to make $18 million in revenue this year and signed up big advertisers such as eBay.com and Dell.

n-CASE comes bundled with freeware, as programmers earn 7 cents for each time a consumer downloads and installs n-CASE. Which explains how it got installed on our machine without our consent. "Users must opt-in in order to receive n-CASE," 180Solutions persists, but could it be that some freeware writers put n-CASE on PCs furtively, so they can make more money? We never saw an opt-in screen.

180Solutions also claims that a typical n-CASE user is shown two to three websites over a 24-hour period, but we got a lot more than that. One user says that he was highly concerned about the sheer volume of data transmitted to his computer - which "didn't seem compatible with their claims of small amounts of data gathered". He also noticed additional component programs, which tried to add themselves to the startup menu.

n-Case does offer an uninstaller for its Trojan, but it warns that "uninstalling n-CASE will prevent you from seeing products and offers that you might miss out on the next time you are searching or shopping online".

Meanwhile, the Center For Democracy and Technology in Washington D.C. has just released a report, criticising spyware for deceiving consumers and wreaking havoc with their computers.

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MzWings
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #1 on: Dec 9^th, 2003, 12:06pm »

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Dayum. And I just heard too, that Washington DC passed a law or bill about spam. Thank goodness but I don't think that could stop the spammers (completely).

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east
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #2 on: Dec 9^th, 2003, 12:08pm »

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thanks for the intel rhune. i just checked my computer and yipppeeee, it is not there but i will be on the lookout! :inquisitive:

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luci
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #3 on: Dec 9^th, 2003, 1:07pm »

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Where do I go to look for this sneaky lil monster? Angry

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Rhune
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #4 on: Dec 9^th, 2003, 2:39pm »

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well, the easiest way to check since this one was nice enough to include an uninstaller, is to check in your control panel, add and remove programs, and then see if it's in the list there and remove it.

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luci
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #5 on: Dec 10^th, 2003, 8:51am »

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Thankfully it isn't on this 'puter! Grin

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Sheisback
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #6 on: Dec 12^th, 2003, 12:50pm »

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I have had that nCase "problem" a couple of months ago, and even after running the uninstaller, it was still causing problems. Since it was kinda new, there was not a lot of information about it on the internet.

There was dozens of small applications on my hard drive, like FMRC.exe and other cute names like this who means nothing at all, and deleting one was creating 2... that was a never ending problem. I had to delete all restore points-since I didnt know when the problem had started- and cleaned the pc the best I could, deleted all unnecessary programs on my pc, but it still wasnt enough.

One day, out of nowhere, a virus was detected by my antivirus. As if it had been programmed to be activated at a certain date...First files to be put in quarantine were those small suspicious applications and then it spread to the rest of the C drive. Had to reinstall Windows and everything.

From what I could see, only the online scan at the PcCillin web site could have detected these problems before it was too late. (sorry I dont have the link I am not home right now) The school tech person has confirmed me that everything started with the nCase file.

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Bumper
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #7 on: Dec 30^th, 2003, 4:51pm »

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Since I just set up a new computer and have only visited a handful of sites, most of those technical and relating to setting up the computer, I thought I'd check to make sure that this "n-case" crap wasn't on the new machine. After a search, I found that it wasn't and I set a "Restore Point" for my computer.

Since I had heard so much about the "SPYBOT" software, I went to their web site for the "free" download. I loaded it and immediately it told me that I was infected with the "n-case" files and several others. When I went to the tab on their program to get rid of the file, the message came up that I would have to purchase their "full version" of the software to access that feature.

Hmmmmm, kinda' makes you wonder doesn't it.

I didn't purchase their software, and just to be cautious, I used the "Restore" feature of my computer to revert my hard drive to the point BEFORE I downloaded the oh so helpful Spybot program!

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david
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #8 on: Dec 30^th, 2003, 4:54pm »

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There sooooo many programs like this i just hate it. I honestly believe that it is the Anti Virus people that create the Viruses we hear about so we buy their software!

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Sheisback
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #9 on: Dec 30^th, 2003, 6:24pm »

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I am a SpyBot user,(the free version) and I recommend it to everybody. I have never have a problem with it. I am using it since July 2002. And when I had the Ncase thingy, SpyBot never detected it.
The only thing I know that could see it in my computer is the online scan at Trend Micro, and now I can post the link since I am at home:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Once there you are asked to download their little software and then they access your computer for a complete scan. Of course they have stuff to sell, but they wont pretend you need it if you dont. It is totally safe, I go there once in a while, to make sure my anti virus hasnt let me down.

Now, back to Spy Bot, this link contains a lot of information on it:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd
And if you read this one:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
you will see this:-and I quote-
"Of course all the infrastructure we use causes costs, and I've got to live on something, but at the same time I believe in free software. Therefore I decided to keep Spybot-S&D free and give you the freedom to decide if and how much it is worth to you. If you can spare a few bucks, please donate to our cause. This is purely voluntarily though - if you do not donate, you won't get less support from us."

Patrick Kolla, Spy Bot creator, doesnt sell his Spy Bot. If you were asked to pay for it, then it was a fraud. There are many Spybots from various companies, but only one free and efficient Spy Bot Search & Destroy.

Have I convinced you to try it again Bumper?? Grin

« Last Edit: Dec 30^th, 2003, 6:27pm by Sheisback »

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david
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Re: FYI - New Pop-up Software to watch out for
« Reply #10 on: Dec 30^th, 2003, 7:24pm »

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I realize this isnt same software but recently I loaded Yahoo companion toolbar with pop up blocker. I was forced to remove it because other programs I use, which are ad supported, wouldnt run with program installed. I hate pop ups but i dont want to be unable to run programs I already use and enjoy. So for now I deal with pop ups like everyone else lol

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