Trojan in AutoGK 1.90beta

[Franko30]

Hi,

just wanted to inform about the following:

Downloaded AutoGK 1.90beta update from the autogk.net website, DL mirror one.

FreeAV reports "DAE.exe" during installation. It says that this file is the Trojan "TR/Dldr.Agent.fy".

I chose to delete the file and installation didn't report any further errors.

Cheers

Franko30

[len0x]

see here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87056

[Sharktooth]

Ok, that's enaugh. It has been discussed 1 million of times...
Before posting that BS use the search function and you'll find that DAE.EXE IS NOT A TROIAN!

[Franko30]

Hi,

instead of shouting at me, you could shout at the moderator of this forum to setup a sticky concerning this file.

Until this happens (or the developer of AutoGK changes the file in question) I rely on my AntiVir software.

Cheers

Franko30

[len0x]

Please be nice people! Sharktooth is right - not having a sticky does not mean that you should not use search button...

[richarddd]

Forum rules:

1a) Use the search function before posting. Chances are your question has already been answered.

If you don't comply with these rules you'll have to face a set of sanctions.

http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm

[Carraway]

Originally posted by len0x
Please be nice people! Sharktooth is right - not having a sticky does not mean that you should not use search button...

A sticky may be overdoing it, but I certainly think an FAQ entry is in order. It gets brought up more often than half the things currently on your FAQ, and with an impending stable version, I doubt the issue is going away.

And, of course, now that the current thread discussing it will slowly but surely drift off the page, even more newbs are going to unknowingly install the spyware on their computer.

Len0x, acknowledge that the adware discussion is not going away: make a sticky or an FAQ entry and take responsibility for your actions.

[len0x]

FAQ will be updated only when new stable version is out.

[neuron2]

len0x doesn't owe you anything...FAQ, stickie, or whatever. If he wants adware, that is his right. Your right is to not use it if you don't like it. Obviously, he wants it there because it helps him pay the rent. He'd be an idiot to put it in and then tell everyone how to remove it. And len0x is *not* an idiot.

Bottom line: mind your own business.

[Carraway]

Originally posted by neuron2
len0x doesn't owe you anything...FAQ, stickie, or whatever. If he wants adware, that is his right. Your right is to not use it if you don't like it. Obviously, he wants it there because it helps him pay the rent. He'd be an idiot to put it in and then tell everyone how to remove it. And len0x is *not* an idiot.

Bottom line: mind your own business.

Fair enough. That will be my last post on the subject (possibly my last on the board, since AutoGK was the reason I registered, and it is basically the only subject I post about). Len0x, handle the adware however you want.

[Yo]

Originally posted by neuron2
len0x doesn't owe you anything...FAQ, stickie, or whatever. If he wants adware, that is his right. Your right is to not use it if you don't like it. Obviously, he wants it there because it helps him pay the rent. He'd be an idiot to put it in and then tell everyone how to remove it. And len0x is *not* an idiot.

Bottom line: mind your own business.

What is meant here by "mind your own business". This is a forum to discuss Autogk, the poster was discussing a major change in AutoGK. Should he not be allowed to discuss it? Keep that change secret?

You are right, that Lenox does not owe anyone anything. He has very generously worked on this project for years, without any compensation for it. As I wrote in another thread, I fully understand that he now wishes to receive compensation for his work on AutoGK. I just don't think this is the right way to do it. Just change the program to "shareware" rather than "freeware", and charge for it. Or, have the pay version, and also the adware version that doesn't require payment, but very clearly labeled as containing adware, and the user could choose, after say a 30 day free evaluation period without adware, whether to pay a registration fee or accept adware, or uninstall. (I would suspect that many more Autogk users would pay a reasonable registration fee than would accept adware.)

In this case, I do think it's wrong that the change to adware was not announced, no mention of it on the Autogk website, no mention of it in the list of version changes, so that some people will install spyware without knowing it. Sure, there are other programs that do this, but that doesn't make it right.

[fewtch]

Originally posted by Yo
What is meant here by "mind your own business". This is a forum to discuss Autogk, the poster was discussing a major change in AutoGK. Should he not be allowed to discuss it? Keep that change secret?

You are right, that Lenox does not owe anyone anything. He has very generously worked on this project for years, without any compensation for it. As I wrote in another thread, I fully understand that he now wishes to receive compensation for his work on AutoGK. I just don't think this is the right way to do it. Just change the program to "shareware" rather than "freeware", and charge for it.
Trouble is, straight-up shareware is almost always hit by pirates who release serials, cracks, etc... once they're onto a popular program it's never safe again from hacking/cracking. The only proggies that aren't target for crackers is freeware and donationware. Even totally nag-free shareware gets hit with cracks adding "registered to:" fields.

My opinion? Just from observing this general field of software for a long time, there really isn't much money in it (unless maybe your name is Adobe). There's a reason why excellent proggies like DVDShrink and etc. are freeware, and not necessarily because the authors of these progs hate money :D. Majority seem to be too cheap to pay (mea culpa) or are poor students etc. with too many other expenses. The big companies really do have a huge advantage here, as they can take the piracy hit & still sell a lot (and get OEM contracts... I'm thinking Nero as a primary example).

In this case, I do think it's wrong that the change to adware was not announced, no mention of it on the Autogk website, no mention of it in the list of version changes, so that some people will install spyware without knowing it. Sure, there are other programs that do this, but that doesn't make it right.
Eh... as long as the adware in question can be removed without affecting functionality of the program, who cares? The warning is in fact fairly prominent in the license agreement when you install the program. No flashing red letters, that's all.

[len0x]

Yo, the other thread was closed not because we all wanted to continue discussion here, but quite the contrary. Closed as well.