Okay I tested a Cnet download (results)

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  1. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #1

    Okay I tested a Cnet download (results)


    Just to be checking I did this.
    Went to Cnet and checked download HWMonitor Pro.
    Read the agreement and their is a lot of new unwanted goodies in the agreement. I don't know whethrer Cnet put them there or HWMonitor put them there. I checked except and went on with the download and install. Then up jumped Microsoft Security Estentials and stopped something. (Win/Price Gong) Then I removed it.
    Next was Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro and it found 7 (PuP.Inof Atoms) I removed them all.
    Next was Super Anti Spyware, the free one and it found 6 tracking cookies and I removed them.
    I noticed I have a new browser search bare in all my browsers.
    MJXI DJ Toolbar. What a little sweet heart.
    I run AdwCleaner and it removed all the entries.and their was a gazillion of them.
    I'm I done; no way.
    I installed and ran Eset Online Scanner after updating. Just on the C drive. I will do the other drives later. Eset Online Scanner found two (Win32/Downloader Admin.G Apps) I removed them.
    I will be doing scans on my other drives next.
    -----------------
    Now folks my computer did not have all these things until the download from Cnet of HWMonitor Pro. I haven't even installed HWMonitor Pro yet. I have right clicked and scanned it with MSE and MAM Pro and it comes up clean. Makes me think all the little unwanted goodies came from Cnet.
    -----------------
    I did this test because Britton 30 had mentioned a few time in other post that the new method of getting junk from download was coming from USER AGREEMENT when down loading. It seem like Cnet knows that most don't read all that stuff and stuck some unwanted goodies in the agreement.
    Thank you Britton 30. The warning was spot on.
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  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #2

    It sounds like this is getting worse for the user, not better.
    I quit using/trusting that site a long time ago because of this problem.
    An old article about this:
    Download.com wraps downloads in bloatware, lies about motivations | ExtremeTech
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  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I don't use Cnet normally. I picked that site because many use them or know about them. Their are probable many site that do the same thing. Kind of a example of how a once quality site can change. One must be careful of any download from any site.
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  4. Posts : 8,476
    Windows® 8 Pro (64-bit)
       #4
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  5. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #5

    Reading the "agreement" before accepting and downloading, is a 'must'! These bundled apps help support the download site

    Download TFC by Old Timer http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/TFC-T...r-file187.html and save it to your desktop.
    Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
    Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista/Windows 7 right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
    Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
    Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

    Next, flush the DNS cache. Open an elevated command prompt, copy and paste ipconfig /flushdns press 'enter'.
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  6. Posts : 159
    Windows 7 Professional x64, SP1
       #6

    Thanks for doing that test Layback Bear and for potentially sacrificing your system - it is definately getting worse.
    Must admit I stay away from cnet based on past experience but what an eye opener!
    Cheers.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #7

    Majorgeeks is where I get all my software and updates from. CNet, PCWorld, etc...places like that died out years ago, and transformed into ad-based websites promoting whatever their are paid to promote.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Jacee thanks I knew I forgot to do something. TFC came up with my normal 44 things and after reboot ipconfig /flushdns took less than a second to complete. I have run all the scans in my post #1 on all the rest of my drives and I think I'm clean.
    ----------------
    Thanks ashleyg. I did this for a reason and posted it in the General Thread for a reason. I wanted to show to a lot new computer users how careful one must be when downloading things from the internet. Things look so good and they are free. I also was trying to show that their is not just one security program that does it all. Notice it took me several to clean all of it out. Jacee might come up with another one or two to try.
    She is the Expert on such things.

    I run 3 security programs active and I trust all of them. They stopped some things but not everything. The things they didn't stop they were not designed to stop. Just because you use such programs doesn't mean one doesn't have to be careful. I did finally install HWMonitor Pro and checked again. Their was no infection in the program itself. It was useless though because the things you need to look at had the word Trial instead of the information one needs. I removed it. I have checked the registry in various way and I can't find any left over bad things. Please understand that I use Cnet because they have been around for a long time and at one time they were trusted by most. I'm sure their are other sites that do the same thing. I chose HWMonitor because it is a great program that is recommend many times. Trying to do things like a new computer would do. Now I have to find a clean download for HWMonitor because I want it back. I have used it for years.
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  9. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #9

    You can download HWMonitor from their site (CPUID)
    CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting
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  10. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks DavidW7ncus. I gave it a try but Malwarebytes blocks that download for the free one.

    Okay I tested a Cnet download (results)-hwmonitor.png
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