Spyware being downloaded

hmmmmmmm

There is no spyware on this site.

There is no spyware on this site.

that is what I thought.

WE NEED PROOF! >

You should probably look at the browser bars that you are using. I've been downloading for a year from this site and I've never downloaded any spyware. What did you download that sent the spyware and what page did you get it from? Send the links for verification.

Spyware can be picked up in various sneaky ways, not always from the site you happen to be on at the time. I know WC doesn't support such things.

However, in the past I recall people saying some of the advertisements running here were of a dubious nature. WC's contract with the advertising company precluded the use of "stealth" downloads of spyware, etc, but evidently the advertising company was not rigorous in monitoring the sort of ads and content that ran here. KarmaGirl looked into it and reminded them of their contract terms, as I recall.

This may be a job for KarmaGirl again. Korkster: is it coming via an advertising banner or ? Can you provide more info about how you got it and detected it? The more info you can provide the better KG can document it (if it is indeed tied to this site) to get the advert provider back in line with their agreement, if a breach is what occurred.

Other than that, all I can say is that this site does not condone the use of spyware and does not knowingly subject their visitors to this stuff. I don't see ads here and I have methods for blocking a lot of things so I don't firsthand know what may or may not be a source of such a thing on this site.

Please provide more info so this can be tracked down and if it is indeed from this site KG (or some other Stardockian) will no doubt work to remedy it.

Ah some info on TargetNet: http://www.safersite.com/PestInfo/T/Targetnet.com_Spyware_Cookie.asp

Tracking cookies aren't quite the same as an actual spyware app such as people often get bundled with freeware or some shareware. The previous complaint was about such an actual app as I recall, not a tracking cookie.

In the past, I noticed this site used a hitbox cookie for tracking use of/on this site only. Dunno about TargetNet.



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Perhaps if you dont have this, maybe you can help me understand this then. I use a product that not only removes spyware from your PC but also can "innoculate" you..much like antivirus. It runs in the background.

When I encounter a page that loads, and the program "sees" an incoming piece of spyware, it pops up a message saying "Spybot Search & Destroy has blocked the download of ". In this case it was "TargetNet". It seemed to happen only on certain pages as I browsed the Wallpapers area. It does NOT happen any other place on the site that I experienced.

I will go back and do some browsing again and see if I can reproduce it. It was NOT on everypage...just on some of the wallpaper pages. I cant imagine the images carrying the spyware...that doesnt seem feasible. I'll try to isolate it down.

Well TargetNet evidently is a tracking cookie, not a spyware software program as such. And tracking cookies can have legitimate uses for websites. So they're not all evil, although many people don't like them. It depends on how and for what purpose it is used and by whom.

If it's used on this site by this site I'm sure WC has no interest in your activities elsewhere or in following anyone around the net as doubleclick was known to do if I recall correctly.

I haven't used Spybot in a while, but my understanding is that it was an after the fact finder of spyware apps, tracking cookies, IE histories, etc. Not a preventative program like the free SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster, for example. If it has that, it's a new feature that hasn't gotten much play where I hang usually out (PC security forums.) Perhaps this is the feature you are referring to, discussed in the Spybot support forum: http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?s=414e4761eaec04e827c6381d1b26eb2c;act=ST;f=28;t=5501

The way one can "innoculate" oneself from cookies (as noted in the thread linked to above) is via the cookie controls in your browser and/or a third party app like CookieWall, Proxomitron, WebWasher (all freeware) and other cookie manager apps that allow you to block all or selectively block and accept cookies from various sites.

I'm not saying you didn't get it here, that may have been the case. I have to check and see if I have anything. I use Proxo to make all cookies session only. As I said, I know WC used to use a Hitbox cookie for site use tracking. Dunno if the cookie you found might be associated with some ad banner and so have an offsite source. Those banners can sometimes do things other than sit there innocuously.

I don't see a cookie for TargetNet on my PC, FWIW. (I do block some third party cookies though in IE, blocking all cookies renders some sites unusable which is where Proxo comes in...it also blocks ads. ).

I'm still wondering if it may be tied to some third party advertising on this site rather than something used by the site itself. Tomorrow's a national holiday, but perhaps KarmaGirl will see this thread either on her own time should she stop by or when she's back at work on Tuesday. She should know what they are using and/or authorizing on this site.



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well assuming such as it is...

Did you happen to think that your "spyware" happens to reside on your system from a previous site and it is showing up as being active because it is actively tracking your use of the site? The fact that it does not show up on all pages could be an indication that it counts a set number of clicks, or randomly generated number of clicks and then "actively" tracks the next url your browser loads?

Two years visiting this site and I have yet to find anything nasty coming from it in the way of Spyware or anything else of it's kind.

Now if you are visiting links to sites not of this sites ogirin but a third party links someone ( a user ) posts you can not expect the admins of this site to monitor it. What are they going to do, send them a Hallmark and request they remove their Spyware because users here wish to post links to their site?

anyway, I do hope you find the solution to your issue, I just wish you wouldn't *assume* in such a public fassion because it does not one iota of positive in finding the cure you seek.

Dude, you don't know what you are talking about. I use Spybot too, so you are using nothing all that new. Before you come to this site accusing people of cruel adverse things get your facts straight and gather some internet knowledge. Cookies are not Spyware. Almost every site uses them. If Spybot didn't like the cookie that came from this site then it flashed a notice telling you that it was a tracking cookie. It was not Spyware such as a program being placed on your computer. All you have to do is erase your cookies if you don't like them or block cookies from sites you don't visit directly. Look dude, like Karmagirl said, they have a lot of advertisers. It takes advertisement to keep a site going financially. When you visit a site almost anywhere, their advertisers will place cookies on your computer. I have visited sites where ten cookies are placed on my computer at once. And, I have a program that tells me where each cookie comes from. I generally block the ones that don't come directly from the site that I am visiting. But, just because Spybot didn't like the cookie, like it probably won't like Hitbox cookies either, it doesn't mean a malicious product was put on your computer. Dude, it is only a cookie. Learn more about the internet please before you come here accusing people of cruel stuff. > > >

It is clear that the cookie was a ad cookie. It did not come from the site directly. If it did, it would be a Wincustomize Cookie, and Spybot would have indicated that it was spyware which obviously it did not. Dude, you need to gain knowledge on internet usage. I could go on explaining cookies to you but, I'm not a Internet teacher. Try to take Internet 101 in school. Sheesh. (Talk about people crying Wolf when there is no Wolf)(Try not to bend the spoon only realize there is no spoon)

Send the links for verification.

we need proof!

although i do not and willnot believe WC is into spyware...

And Also DUDE, think about it. If Wincustomize or Stardock wanted spyware on your system, it would be easy for them to place it there when you install their programs. So answer me this? Did Spybot detect any spyware from Windowblinds? Nope. CursorXP? Nope. DesktopX? Nope. Winstyles? Nope. All these programs from someone you claim is delivering spyware, and no spyware is found from their programs? Does that make sense to you or does it suggest that they aren't delivering spyware. Now, if you run a Kazaa install or a Bearshare install, you will get tons of spyware deeply entangled throughout your system. And Spybot will alert you to all of it. So, this should tell you that neither Wincustomize or Stardock is trying to put spyware on your computer and neither is ANYONE else from this site. Especailly since they are just cookies. Cookies are very simple tracking information for advertisers. It's how people on the internet make money. To get rid of them you can block them or go to internet properties and delete cookies. Poof, all cookies gone. Its that easy. (Remember:Internet 101)
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Geee, some people here can really get excited about nothing...

Ok, he only mentioned that he thought he got spyware from this site.... Even if this was a not true (it was a genuine error), there is absolutely no reason to get so excited about it and jump at his throat. After all he did not flame this site...

true enough, flaming isn't called for.

But then again he did insult the integrity of the site and admins when claiming mentioning that they should not be a part of the Spyware movement.

It really is not any different than someone calling you a thief or liar in a calm collected voice. You might not react to it, but some of your friends might take it personally and decide that it is worth the time and effort of anger and contention to voice opinion of those questioning the virtues of one that holds your strongly held personal convictions of their upright reputation...

It's best not to assume such things in a public manner and address your assumptions in a private forum such as, oh, email to an admin or such to avoid the ruckus really.

After all, you don't pee publicly in full view of a group of people and find offense when they fall over laughing and or make comments.

just a personal observation of course...
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I really got the impression that he was disappointed rather than annoyed with WC.

But I agree with you IPlural that it would have been better to contact an admin via email.
On the other side; a small post to remind him of that would have been enough too...

just another personal observation of course....

If I gave anyone the impression that I was accusing the site of spyware, I certainly apologize. However there are some misconceptions.

Spybot Search and Destroy, at least the newest version DOES offer some degree of innoculation by identifying when some sort of tracking key or spyware is being transmitted to your system. Please do check the site before saying it doesnt do that. I am running it and it does seem to intercept some, but not all offending transmissions.

To answer one person...yes I cleared all my spyware before attempting to reproduce the error. However, something that is unusual...I seem to be getting the notification less on the wallpaper pages now. It only comes up sporadically. Which is confusing at best.

I did not, as someone mentioned, insult the integrity of the site. In efforts to fund the ongoing development of a site, certain advertising is allowing (someone actually mentioned this). If that advertising happens to take advantage of a cookie or spyware addition, the home site might not even know about it (someone mentioned this too). My post was not to gripe or complain, but to merely point out that at least one person (me) was getting these little alerts. I had no intention of illiciting any negative remarks, but I realize those will come in just about any forum, despite the good intentions.

Again, I apologize if I mistakenly caused offense to site operators in any way.

korkster.....certainly didn't bother me....there are usually anything up to 5 cookies assisting in a user's site-interaction...hence the concept of 'Logging in'....but certainly not evil, nefarious 'spyware'....though that 'may' be triggered on a system 'infected' and give the impression that its source is here...

Well before ya'll stomp the poor guy, he was just reporting what his Spybot S&D told him as he cruised the site. Evidently he's got the feature running that was discussed in the forum link I posted. The ID'ing as "spyware" of everything from cookies to browser histories in addition to actual spyware applications in antispyware proggies can get confusing though.

And as I noted above, there was a previous instance in which an ad on WC was indeed doing something untoward and it was possible for someone to get spyware on their PC if their IE browser settings were at the more insecure default settings. That was the advert company's fault for not abiding with their agreement with WC to not run such things here. But the person who reported here on the board was indeed correct in saying that spyware was being downloaded. When KG confirmed that and had the proof, she contacted the advertising company for them to pull that ad.

Anyway, the guy's initial post wasn't nasty or a flame, so no reason to keep on pummeling him IMO. People don't know if the site owner is or is not aware what ads (and their capacities) the advertising company may be displaying on their site or if the site owner isn't deliberately subjecting them to third party tracking cookies or spyware. I'm sure WC had a hitbox cookie here. And while some people don't like even onsite tracking, it's not the same as some other tracking cookies like doubleclick and others. It remains to be seen what the TargetNet cookie's source is and what purpose it serves.

It takes more time and effort than flaming but it is far more useful (and nicer) to try to dialogue with people who post what they've noticed (especially if they're not being nasty) and get info that may help KG if the advertiser is again not abiding by the terms of the agreement regarding the kinds of ads displayed here. Besides, the info exchanged might be helpful in future to some lurker. Flames are not.

Ah, I'm slow. More posts have appeared. Oh well. Still... I sit by what I typed.

Oh well. Still... I sit by what I typed.

odd, ain't it........... I'm sitting by it too...

I'm sure the administrators appreciate your apology and your concern.
But Dude, you are blowing a Cookie out of proportion. Look dude, if a site wanted to promote itself on Wincustomize by the use of cookies, I would have no problem with it. Many firewalls will block cookies that you don't like. And just because a advertiser used a harmless tracking cookie doesn't mean they are bad either. Just because Spybot says its Spyware, doesn't mean its etched in stone. Meaning, that just because Spybot alerted you to a tracking cookie, it doesn't mean that your system is compromised. Spybot called some of my Soundblaster files spyware, and there are files on your computer that you can't normally delete that save all you internet history to track you. Some people don't even know about cookies, so now you know. Spyware is mainly something that harms your system by chewing up resources or retrieves personal information about you, like your telephone number, name, and stuff like that. Cookies do none of that. The most they do is track which sites you visit after leaving their site. What's all the whine about a cookie when they are easily blocked? Dude, its just a cookie. Sheesh. 70% of the sites you visit online will have advertisers that will want to send you a tracking cookie. How can they make money? Tracking cookies are harmless. Please, some people want to call it a flame, but take Internet 101 and understand the usage of the internet. All I'm trying to say is that you need to gain more knowledge about the internet and the program you are using and what it is doing(I.E. Spybot-Search & Destroy). It is basically helping to make you anomymous and trying to protect your identity. If you have some concern about something you are doing illegal, then don't blame a cookie. Just stay away from the Child Porn, don't make online terrorist threats, don't hack any government systems, and don't create viruses, and if the FBI comes to your house, you should be safe.(tidbits from Intro to Internet 101) I'm just having fun because this is so silly. But, I'm trying to help you too. If you can't take a little joking, oh well. I do have a paypal account open and I'll send you Internet 101 for $15.00 US. OMG Just kidding.
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