The power of Blog vs a spyware scam company
Posted by: rigor on Sunday, May 23, 2004 -   
  
A few days ago I received the following email from the chairman of Enigma Software Group, the company that markets SpyHunter.

Apparently SpyWare Warrior reported that the Enigma Software Group (who markets a product named SpyHunter) that says it's a free download and claims to find malware (a very small percentage of what's really out there) and they want $29 to fix the problems. She felt so scammed by them then discovered the FREE tools that even removed the $29 SpyHunter...

"Ok so I decided to find a spy ware program to fix the problems. So I typed anti-spy ware programs in my browser and I found one claiming to be a great tool find and get rid of spy ware. It was SpyHunter. I downloaded it for free as it said. Did a scan and was surprised at the number of infected files I found. But when attempted to fix the problems SpyHunter asked to register the copy. So I paid $29 dollars for it. Once I did that I scanned my system again and “fixed” the problems. Ok the next day, I started my system again and when I got online I found out that my homepage had been changed once again. So I ran SpyHunter again, and again, and again… but my homepage keep on getting changed. Now not only that but every time I scanned my system the number of infected files seemed to double. I thought, what the hell!!!

Finally, upset and very frustrated, I decided get the new Norton Internet security and looked for a new anti-spy ware program. When I did my second search I ran into an article from CNET new and found out the straight facts about the so-called anti-spy ware programs and about how spyware is a much bigger problem than I though. I was so angry since I had been ripped off by Enigma, (makers SpyHunter) and even more nobody understands me at the fact that there are no laws against this kind of scam!! So I joined the Spyware Warrior forums and there I found out about the true anti-spy ware software. I downloaded Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. Finally my computer began to work properly.
Bottom line, we need laws against spy ware and fast!!!

SpyHunter is marketed by EnigmaSoftwareGroup keep reading for more info on them.

Important note - Ad-aware now removes SpyHunter. Way to go Lavasoft, makers of Ad-aware!"

The company apparently doesn't like the adverse publicity generated by the news release.
In the end, let the buyer beware.

Åsarp, Friday, May 28, 2004

SpyHunter now included in Ad-aware's database

Enigma Software Group Inc. is the company behind the SpyHunter software. They claim that "Our suites are built to address the need of privacy protection and computer security. We empower internet users to take control over their computers against Spyware, parasites, SPAM, and others obtaining your personal information online!" However, what's not disclosed is the hidden transmission of the Microsoft Windows Product ID to their servers every time their software checks for an update. They also uniquely identify their users by use of a unique ID for each installation. This unique ID is also sent to their servers undisclosed. This is something we at Lavasoft find highly questionable and unethical.

Enigma Software Group also uses questionable methods to market their software SpyHunter. Their pop-up ads resemble virus alerts from well-known anti-virus programs, and DOS windows displaying fake scan results.

The pop-up ads can be found here:

  http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/1.htm
  http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/2.htm
  http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/3.htm
  http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/4.htm

and here (mirrored site):

  Example 1 http://www.lavasoftusa.com/news/spyhunter_files/1.htm
  Example 2 http://www.lavasoftusa.com/news/spyhunter_files/2.htm
  Example 3 http://www.lavasoftusa.com/news/spyhunter_files/3.htm
  Example 4 http://www.lavasoftusa.com/news/spyhunter_files/4.htm

Internet users are tricked into believing their computers are infected with "a spyware virus" and that they must download and scan their computers with SpyHunter to get rid of it. The SpyHunter scanner is free to download, but in order to remove these items, the software must be purchased.

Earlier this year the so-called anti-spyware software SpyBan was removed from the website Download.com because adware was installed along with the software. According to News.com SpyBan "had failed to disclose and explain all the software components included in its installation, a violation of the Web site's policies".

Enigma Software Group's End User Licence Agreement does not contain information about SpyHunter transmitting a client id or the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. That is why we at Lavasoft hope that SpyHunter will be removed from the Download.com website soon.

Why SpyHunter has been added to Ad-aware's database
While some may claim adding SpyHunter to Ad-aware's database is an attempt to defame a competitor, our users trust us with protecting their privacy, and when another company is doing the very thing they're claiming to help protect against, Ad-aware is there to ensure our users' privacy isn't deceptively violated.

All items added to Ad-aware's database are qualified using a Threat Assessment Chart (TAC) prior to inclusion. The system is based on a total of 10 points, 1 being the least and 10 being the most threatening and/or problematic. Behavior and intent weigh more heavily towards becoming a legitimate detection than do the technical aspects. Please note that applications that are difficult to remove and cause system instability due to poor coding and DO NOT contain any further violations as described below ARE NOT considered for inclusion in the Ad-aware database.

Points are added according to the following criteria:
Removal - One Point
Integration - Two Points
Distribution - Two Points
Behavior - Three Points
Privacy - Two Points
An application requires a TAC number of three or higher to be included in the database. More information about the TAC can be found on the Threat Assessment Chart page.

SpyHunter from Enigma Software Group Inc. has received a TAC level of four and has been added to the database. The TAC level was determined using the following information:


Removal - No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Integration - No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Distribution - Two Points Received
This item's End User Licence Agreement (EULA) does not contain information pertaining to the transmission of a client id or the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System.
This transmission is not disclosed in the EULA. More information about this transmission can be found in the Privacy section.
Behavior - No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Privacy - Two Points Received
This item transmits the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. This ID is transmitted as part of the update check process. MemScanner is the memory-resident portion of Enigma.SpyHunter. This component transmits a Unique ID during its update process

Hi zero , was www2-spyware ever hosted on an Adorons server , or did they lie and make that up to trick people ?

If its false information it will be removed.

moore...you posting rumours

ZERO - sounds to me like you're trying to cover for the likes of Enigma!

Yes I wlll remove that post Zero  , just been a little busy.

Its true the original page at spywareguide.com has been removed and if you say its been resolved , then I'll believe you , as things at spyware warrior seem to have taken a turn for the better.

Still some of the content I viewed at www2-spyware last time i was looking up some information on a few spyware files through google , made me glad I didnt have to rely on that site for my information.

one part of the page said the file was not spyware then right below that it said I "was" infected with spyware and click here to get it removed . nice.

WorkFlow.exe description:
Related to BroadJump's broadband trouble-shooting software. cfd.exe

If you think that information about the file WorkFlow.exe is inacurate, please edit it.
Edit WorkFlow.exe description
WorkFlow.exe last edited: 2004-07-07 19:03:38 by user 64.12.117.9

File WorkFlow.exe removal:
WARNING!!! File WorkFlow.exe is related to spyware. Your system is under security threat.
We advice you to scan your computer and eliminate possible threats.
download scanner and remover

Their product is not classified anymore as rogue/suspect but little we know... they are doing something again.