Themexp.org started pushing junk?

It's sad but it happens, I use to use a program called Gphotoshow, for
making simple slideshows and such. The last time I tried to install the
newest version. Symantec warned of a virus.
"Atreju" <someone@who.hates.junkmail> wrote in message
news:dksrk01l7fg1gdqrjttan0sea64ap8c3f6@4ax.com...

> Recently I went back to themexp.org and I now find that they are
> spewing tons of popups and trying to install Gain software
> (mega-spyware). This used to be a pretty nice site, and it still is,
> but does anyone know what has prompted them to start engaging in the
> scummy practice of pushing spyware?
>
> Of course, I have a popup blocker and I would never enable their gain
> install, but still, it is sad to see a nice website go the way of
> crappyville.
>
>
> ---Atreju---

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 23:41:10 +0100, "niknik1971"
<niknik1971@btopenworld.com> wrote:

>Well I will not be downloading anything from them any more.

Actually you can just skip the GAIN crap and block the popups and you
can still download stuff from the site. It's just I was extremely
dissappointed to see that they have been pushing spyware to begin
with. How much money do you think they make in commissions from that
crap?


---Atreju---

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 23:35:38 GMT, Atreju <someone@who.hates.junkmail>
wrote:

>On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 23:41:10 +0100, "niknik1971"
><niknik1971@btopenworld.com> wrote:
>

>>Well I will not be downloading anything from them any more.

>
>Actually you can just skip the GAIN crap and block the popups and you
>can still download stuff from the site. It's just I was extremely
>dissappointed to see that they have been pushing spyware to begin
>with. How much money do you think they make in commissions from that
>crap?
>
>
>---Atreju---

Uh..... actually NO, you cannot keep the gain (and countless other
crap) from being installed on your system. Even if you "opt out" as
the site says you can do...... IT STILL INSTALLS CRAP.
Don't believe me? Opt out of everything, then run Pest Patrol, or
Spybot. I had 5 instances of spy/adware after "opting out" of ONE
single exe from their site.

The new management of the site care absolutely nothing for the
visitors that frequent their site.

I DID find a way around the crap, through a suggestion from a user of
the site, and it goes like this........
The "wrapper" is added via web, on the FIRST download per visit.
If a file you download is in "exe" form, delete it, then redownload
and you will see it is now an "unwrapped" zip file. All other files
SHOULD be in zip (nonwrapped) form during that visit. If you DO get
another.....delete it and redownload.

Worked for me downloading styles....haven't tested the procedure with
logons, wallpaper, ect yet.


§kullywag©-

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 23:47:12 GMT, §kullywag©- <skullywag@hotmail.com>
wrote:

SNIP

>Uh..... actually NO, you cannot keep the gain (and countless other
>crap) from being installed on your system. Even if you "opt out" as
>the site says you can do...... IT STILL INSTALLS CRAP.
>Don't believe me? Opt out of everything, then run Pest Patrol, or
>Spybot. I had 5 instances of spy/adware after "opting out" of ONE
>single exe from their site.

Only if your security settings are not high enough. No site can
override a setting that tells your browser to simply not install
anything. Check your security settings.

>
>The new management of the site care absolutely nothing for the
>visitors that frequent their site.
>
>I DID find a way around the crap, through a suggestion from a user of
>the site, and it goes like this........
>The "wrapper" is added via web, on the FIRST download per visit.
>If a file you download is in "exe" form, delete it, then redownload
>and you will see it is now an "unwrapped" zip file. All other files
>SHOULD be in zip (nonwrapped) form during that visit. If you DO get
>another.....delete it and redownload.

I simply avoid the .exe files. I have downloaded plenty of .zip files,
it just seems to depend on what format the author of the style/etc.
has packaged their work.

>
>Worked for me downloading styles....haven't tested the procedure with
>logons, wallpaper, ect yet.
>
>
>§kullywag©-

---Atreju---

I use Spyware Blaster and I don't have any trouble with
spyware and adware downloading into my PC. Spyware
Blaster blocks it from downloading. Also, You need to go
to your internet options and change a couple of things.

Click on Tools
Click on Internet Options
Click on Advanced
Uncheck the box next to Enable Install On Demand
(Internet Explorer)
Uncheck the box net to Enable Install On Demand (Other)
Click Ok

This will take care of most of that stuff from
downloading on it's own.

>-----Original Message-----
>Recently I went back to themexp.org and I now find that

they are

>spewing tons of popups and trying to install Gain

software

>(mega-spyware). This used to be a pretty nice site, and

it still is,

>but does anyone know what has prompted them to start

engaging in the

>scummy practice of pushing spyware?
>
>Of course, I have a popup blocker and I would never

enable their gain

>install, but still, it is sad to see a nice website go

the way of

>crappyville.
>
>
>---Atreju---
>.
>

Just a thought, when you "opt out" a cookie has to be set to tell the server that you opted out. If you delete that cookie you are no longer on the "opt out "list"".

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________in response to__________
"§kullywag©-" <skullywag@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:576sk0hqogfmbaossdb2l6rg1597vthqfn@4ax.com...
| Uh..... actually NO, you cannot keep the gain (and countless other
| crap) from being installed on your system. Even if you "opt out" as
| the site says you can do...... IT STILL INSTALLS CRAP.
| Don't believe me? Opt out of everything, then run Pest Patrol, or
| Spybot. I had 5 instances of spy/adware after "opting out" of ONE
| single exe from their site.
|
| The new management of the site care absolutely nothing for the
| visitors that frequent their site.
|
| I DID find a way around the crap, through a suggestion from a user of
| the site, and it goes like this........
| The "wrapper" is added via web, on the FIRST download per visit.
| If a file you download is in "exe" form, delete it, then redownload
| and you will see it is now an "unwrapped" zip file. All other files
| SHOULD be in zip (nonwrapped) form during that visit. If you DO get
| another.....delete it and redownload.
|
| Worked for me downloading styles....haven't tested the procedure with
| logons, wallpaper, ect yet.
|
|
| §kullywag©-

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 23:37:32 -0500, » mrtee « <hingelicker$@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Just a thought, when you "opt out" a cookie has to be set to tell the server that you opted out. If you delete that cookie you are no longer on the "opt out "list"".

It's not so much a matter of opting out. When your browser pops up a
query asking you if you want to install blah blah component by GAIN
Publishing, you just tell it No.

Then you can proceed to the site. Occasionally you might hit a page
that asks you again, and just say No again.

Gee I really wish there were a way to say no permanently. After all,
you can select to "always trust content from..." but obviously it is
not very good for MS marketing to allow you to "always deny content
from..."

In any event, that's what I do and I'm able to download plenty of
stuff there.


---Atreju---

Atreju wrote:

>> Just a thought, when you "opt out" a cookie has to be set to tell
>> the server that you opted out. If you delete that cookie you are no
>> longer on the "opt out "list"".

>
> It's not so much a matter of opting out. When your browser pops up a
> query asking you if you want to install blah blah component by GAIN
> Publishing, you just tell it No.
>
> Then you can proceed to the site. Occasionally you might hit a page
> that asks you again, and just say No again.
>
> Gee I really wish there were a way to say no permanently. After all,
> you can select to "always trust content from..." but obviously it is
> not very good for MS marketing to allow you to "always deny content
> from..."
>
> In any event, that's what I do and I'm able to download plenty of
> stuff there.
>
>
> ---Atreju---

Take the time to look before you leap.

That option is there. It's called the Restricted Sites Zone. Select
Tools/Internet Options/Security Tab and click the Restricted Sites Zone.

Select the Sites Button to add a website to this zone. Select the Custom
Level Button to set permissions for websites in this list. Everything should
be set as disabled in this zone and the security level set to High.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User