Learn how to avoid (some) Crapware.

satrow · Apr 26, 2011

If a piece of software isn't available from here at Majorgeeks, ask about it in the forums before searching for it - you could otherwise end up with much more than you bargain for.

If you must search for it, checkout the current methods of Crapware dispersal via the major search engines first.

DavidGP · Apr 26, 2011

I also think the trick is to never click the adverts/sponsored sites listed in search engines and only goto the original developers website, generally the first one not tagged with Ad or Sponsored Site.

I have to agree with one of the posters on that site that commented in this likely also being geo-location (with not only the version of searchs as google can be .com or .co.uk etc) also as in Google.co.uk, although in google for me its to the right hand sidebar so not as up top as the screenshot shows at HTG

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/4499/unledsl.jpg

Again could link to geo-location of the user per search page url. I do think now that this is likely to be a more expanding technique of the malware writers that the search engine companies need to actively root out bad adverts and sponsored sites listings.

cheers satrow.

satrow · Apr 26, 2011

The only browser I use that shows the Ads as per your picture is IE; layered protection FTW, David <slinks away to work out how to block it in IE9>

DavidGP · Apr 26, 2011

Weirdly so does Firefox 6.0a1 (Nightly) and Opera (not taking a screenshot)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5525/unledot.jpg

Dunno if this was just coincidence but thinking of what Firefox does and not getting around to using the Tracking Protection in IE9, and adding the EasyList from AddBlockPlus HERE and would that do any good, mmmm undecided, need to play a bit more and was tying also search strings as in -Ads -Sponsored etc of vlc -Ads -Sponsored as the sarch term.

Doesnt bother me too much the ads as I never click on them, but curious as to positioning of ads from the screenshots at HTG and what I get as the side ads, I did load up the Developer Tools in IE and then thought "why".... I get sidetracked easily.

satrow · Apr 26, 2011

I have the EasyPrivacyList loaded in IE, same page as your link, 2nd offering. Tracking protection is turned on too.

Sidetracked - lol, tell me about it

iain.t · Apr 26, 2011

Thanks for these tips, if it had not been mentioned i would of not known that they existed, any more tips and methods of this nature would be a great help in keeping my families machines more healthy.

iain.t :major

satrow · Apr 26, 2011

Iain, I start my 'net protection as far away from the PC as possible - OpenDNS - then router - firewall/NAT/SPI - then To the OS - hosts and IE zones (Spybot immunize/SpywareBlaster) and then the browser(s) - WOT/ADBlock+, etc.. But, there's still nothing that I know of that stops users clicking on *FREE* blahblahblah.

Don't trust 90% of what you read online, esp. not in comments on reviews - there are thousands of posts made per day by people who are part of, or paid by, crapware sites and vendors etc. Treat everything that you read as if it was written by someone who has something to gain by you using their methods/software, etc. Wait, if they have something to gain, who's losing? = you are!

DavidGP · Apr 30, 2011

Yeah I'd second OpenDNS and I have the same NAT/SPI router, with Spywareblaster as default crucial items these days.

But as satrow states and 100% correct also, is that the user needs to watch what they click, too many things are listed as FREE and will FIX YOUR PC, but in the end many are fake and only their to infect your PC with junk or get you to pay for a PC fix that really you didn't need as the results where bogus.

I still hate the way some apps list cookies as malware or nasties, to bump up the detection rates to blind you into thinking they are working.

@Iain.t, another thing to make sure is on in IE is the SmartScreen Filter,

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Learn how to avoid (some) Crapware.

satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

iain.t MajorGeek

satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member