Solved Macrium etc Free Software--How to avoid CNET Virus/Adware/malware prog

[mjf]

Never buy an Asus system. They have this habit of encrypting the C partition. It is a real pain. Had to send it to their service centre so that they can flash a new 8.1 on it. Now we have a second Asus at a friend with the same problem.

This potential encryption issue appears to be worth its own discussion thread.
Do other OEMs do it?
How to address it?
WHS I'm confused because you support an ASUS here
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/359489-looking-buy-new-computer.html#post2992835
My son is probably looking for a laptop in the near future and I thought ASUS was a decent OEM.

 

[whs]

Michael, You might want to have a look at these 2 threads that I started recently:

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/358111-bios-no-boot-options.html

Why would Asus encrypt the C partition

 

[DavidE]

There was a recent SF thread about downloads and trusted sites.
MajorGeeks is still one of the trusted sites, I've been using it for years.
If I can find the thread link, i'll post back with it.

Downloading anything, well, seems to be getting worse ...
The user really has to pay attention and read everything ...

I found the thread, whs is the thread starter, and here it is:
http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/358685-deceptive-download-sites.html

A couple of quotes i found interesting and helpful in the article linked to in that thread

Safe software download sites

So we then come to the question – which are the safe software download sites. Well today, if I have to download freeware, I usually prefer to download it from the developers website. This ensures that I get the latest version too. But if I have to visit a download sites, I prefer and trust the following:

• Majorgeeks.com
• Softpedia.com
• TechSpot.com
• Filehippo.com See this.
• SnapFiles.com
• fileforum.betanews.com
• downloadcrew.com

Don’t press the green Download Now button blindly

When you go on to download some software, you may see a big Download Now button. Most people will typically click on this button, and end up downloading the download sites installer, which is ad-supported and may include third-party offers. Most don’t see them and keep clicking on Next > Next, and end-up with software they did not want on their computers. Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.All Download.com Installer enabled products now have this Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer. So remember to click the small Direct Download text link instead of the large Download Now button or link.

Source: Safe software download sites – Beware of deceptive download links & PUPs

 

[XP VM User]

TITLE: Response to "Add what to your browser"

Hi everyone! Trying to catch up!!!

On the question that SWI2
asked me earlier, I did not ignore it, just got busy replying to everyone else!

SWI2 said this

Adding what to your browser?

Answer coming up......

It started when whs gave me the following advice!

This was the result when Virus Total checked the installation .exe of Macrium from Major Geeks.

https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/...438fb63747a9cf1358645975da8a5693241/analysis/

THEN whs provided a link for more of "total virus" help for websites like these..

Here are some good thoughts:

Make Sure Downloads Are Safe Before Downloading Them

If you follow that link... there is a page (see screenshot below) that directs one to add Virus Total to Firefox (but no other browser)

That was what I was referring to..... good to remember to ask someone again... why only Firefox browsers can add an extension to use this tool directly (otherwise have to remember I have it installed on computer and recall how to access it when downloading from strange sites (something I don't do every day or week, etc so I would forget these helpful hints I'm trying to find better notes than adding to my stacks of post it notes all over computer screen, etc)

OFF TOPIC!:
Will try to catch up on everyone else's great suggestions... trying to follow the UI conversation and ASUS computer has no unencrypted C: Boot section (sounds like something I definitley want to avoid----but where is everyone finding the funds to get new computers? I can't keep up!!) (will repeat my bewilderment in a new thread maybe---tooo many quesitons in this thread already!!!)(I followed links to $164 refurbished computer, thanks but no thanks.... brand new I have problems and most critical review of it says it died out of the box.. I don't need extra problems---but I will copy and paste all the relevant items so I can ask it properly (not for the WIndows 7 laptop, new one needed for all of the OLD XP's chugging along out of warranty/help with 100000's of programs and 100000's of expired product codes no money for new ones but I'm getting off topic here again... stop me before I write more!!!)

 

[XP VM User]

More to thank in this thread

Thanks so very much DavidE for the links and information and connecting everything !

(and the RED letters, I forgot I could do that too in my posts ---have to read how to also do those red boxes and arrows in how to post here as well so I can point to things in future postings! Its really easier on everyone if I could just do that ---I know I know I read the how to do it, but reading and doing for me are 2 different things)

Now back to DavidE's great posting here it is in total (quoted too much but all of it is GREAT!)

There was a recent SF thread about downloads and trusted sites.
MajorGeeks is still one of the trusted sites, I've been using it for years.
If I can find the thread link, i'll post back with it.

Downloading anything, well, seems to be getting worse ...
The user really has to pay attention and read everything ...

I found the thread, whs is the thread starter, and here it is:
http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/358685-deceptive-download-sites.html

A couple of quotes i found interesting and helpful in the article linked to in that thread

Safe software download sites

So we then come to the question – which are the safe software download sites. Well today, if I have to download freeware, I usually prefer to download it from the developers website. This ensures that I get the latest version too. But if I have to visit a download sites, I prefer and trust the following:

• Majorgeeks.com
• Softpedia.com
• TechSpot.com
• Filehippo.com See this.
• SnapFiles.com
• fileforum.betanews.com
• downloadcrew.com

Don’t press the green Download Now button blindly

When you go on to download some software, you may see a big Download Now button. Most people will typically click on this button, and end up downloading the download sites installer, which is ad-supported and may include third-party offers. Most don’t see them and keep clicking on Next > Next, and end-up with software they did not want on their computers. Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.All Download.com Installer enabled products now have this Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer. So remember to click the small Direct Download text link instead of the large Download Now button or link.

Source: Safe software download sites – Beware of deceptive download links & PUPs

I have many free/paid programs I've not installed or even downloaded since many led back to the CNET download page....

My task is to find them and post them here only if I cannot find the "direct download" button/link that now I'm aware of...

I think some did not have any way to do that, plus some sites do not have any "contact us" as free ware means "don't bother us with questions" so I never used them..

Now I have to go find them...

Just wanted to thank DavidE for the info and post it later in the thread here so when I find it I'll refer to this Post (I think its number 25 now)

OFF TOPIC A BIT:

Will reply to some more too... one by one... need more research on UI vs GUI (looked both up... I did do some web site design, but not the XTML/HTML programming for it... have to see what I can add or help with that conversation here............ and poor visibilty they referred to... getting ahead of myself..)
Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:

The UI is one of the things that gets the most praise. Though I understand your particular difficulty with visibility.

You must be kidding me. Light yellow writing on a fair blue background for error messages cannot be read. Even my wife whoi has 20/20 eyesight could only read it with the magnifier. And the rest of the UI is hardly readable also. It is just too tiny.

 

[whs]

Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:

I appreciate your support in the matter. But the ball is in the court of the AOMEI developers. I just today had another mail exchange with them. They don't want to give me a date by when they will improve the UI.

In their attempt to keep the UI simple (which it is) they confuse simple with tiny and no contrast. Even a simple interface must be readable. Try OneKey for yourself and you will see. With luck you will get some error message in yellow writing on a light blue screen. That's the acid test.

They have to understand that people will use their products on all kinds of devices. I tried it on a 10" tablet - no chance.

 

[XP VM User]

Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:

I appreciate your support in the matter. But the ball is in the court of the AOMEI developers. I just today had another mail exchange with them. They don't want to give me a date by when they will improve the UI.

In their attempt to keep the UI simple (which it is) they confuse simple with tiny and no contrast. Even a simple interface must be readable. Try OneKey for yourself and you will see. With luck you will get some error message in yellow writing on a light blue screen. That's the acid test.

They have to understand that people will use their products on all kinds of devices. I tried it on a 10" tablet - no chance.

Ah thanks whs for the information.... thought it was something I might have something to contribute here to this Forum...

I hate being the one always with hand out here asking for help, help, help and having no up to date knowledge base of my own to share and help others out here..

I like the idea of AOMEI's One Key Program...
but
but
but

I can see myself in future, struggling to follow "way A" or "way B" and just all I have to do is make one small single error and lose everything or corrupt everything so not even computer experts can help me out..

Sure, just follow the screenshots..

Remind me (I"m typing a HUGE posting no one will read I'm sure about similar item) that
yes, I can follow the instructions..... but like I say with "phone support" where I get step by slow step live help------- I always seem to get something on my computer screen that does not match what the screen shots or instructions show..

OF COURSE all of you computer experts in this Forum know exactly what is going on!!!

OF COURSE I'd like to resolve problems myself, but I follow instructions (my favorite was an ISP/Internet problem... where I was simply asked to generate (I think it was called CBS.log from sfc.scannow refused to generate it! Everyone on the "other" you know the Regular Microsoft Site was trying to help but without generating a cbs.log no one could help me and to this day I've never seen a cbs.log on this laptop... shows you that every computer is different enough.... to cause me problems trying to follow others questions and help files and even the Microsoft Knowledge base....

OK enough ranting.... don't have to help on that old topic-----yes----- I've given up.... it had to do with VM.... I've switched to Oracle Virtual Box and I"m sure the problem is still there in background I just don't use whatever it was that was causing it in Windows 7 Professional's VM ( remember that's how I got my name here).....to do all the errors I got back then.....

 

[whs]

Regarding the cbs.log, I had made a little video tutorial for a guy on another forum. Maybe that can help you. The quality of the video is not too god. I must have done something wrong in my Camtasia settings. But I think you will get the message. I had to edit a portion out where I made a mistake. Just ignore my later comments about it.

 

[XP VM User]

I try i try i try

Thanks whs for trying again!

(trying to get my cbs.log to work!) (I know EVERY computer but this one has one!!!)

Its not the subject of this post so maybe will put this aside until I get my new HDD and make a backup copy...

I really should not be fooling around with computer much until I get a backup copy again.... mine is too old....

That was the purpose of my first earlier posting ( http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/357684-need-new-backup-storage-program.html ) which led to this one remmeber? (You helped me on that one too)

Thanks for reminding me also of several things...

Camtasia.. I think was a free download that only came from a site like CNET or a virus laden one, so I never got one as could not get a clean copy without loading freebie tool bars etc to mess up the computer....

And Florida... thanks for sharing you are from Germany and Winter in warm sunny Florida.... I did that too for most of my life.. two places, always one somewhere in Florida, various cities all around... Nice place you got there.... Not anymore, suffering under a foot of snow here.... at least I got electricity!!! (for the computer)

So for the moment I'm not going to fool around with fixing the computer until I get the Macrium or a FFS (Free FIle Sync) Or just copy and paste whole C Drive over to new HDD, but I'm still writing a

HUGE (sorry!)

Question filled thread about that suggestion.... not posted it yet... its not ready.... sigh... tooooo long for initial questions no one will read it I'm certain of that!

But I'll bookmark this section and come back and repost your suggestion and Camtasia video...
Anyway... for those who care..

I already have the Command prompt on my Start Menu (thanks for idea) set to administrator check box was new... I always checked "run as administrator" choice on right click, your method saves me a step and it says it protects computer from unauthorized use-----I hope so---

Here is a screenshot of my results:

I also tried something else I remembered someone said to try...and when I did make that change...

I got this FINDSTR: Argument missing after /c

So something is very very wrong here...

Thanks again whs.. will put off fooling around before I get another BSOD!!!

 

[mjf]

..... Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.

Hmm I don't see it. Even on the Macrium website I see no link for a direct download of their free version.

When I download the downloader reflectdl.exe from majorgeeks and cnet they are byte for byte identical. I'd bet the same reflectdl.exe is what Macrium distribute to them all.

 

[DavidE]

I don't see it either.
I clicked on a few of the downloads in CNET and i didn't see a direct download link for any of them.
It looks like that article is about a year old, so maybe CNET has changed things ?

 

[XP VM User]

Wide ranging discussion in this thread

Hi mjf (from Australia--Wow!)

Thanks for your interest!

I appreicate your comparisons:

..... Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.

Hmm I don't see it. Even on the Macrium website I see no link for a direct download of their free version.

When I download the downloader reflectdl.exe from majorgeeks and cnet they are byte for byte identical. I'd bet the same reflectdl.exe is what Macrium distribute to them all.

Always wondered if it was 100% genuine Macrium etc programs, but that was not my major concern or why I began this thread.....

Someone here (its only 4 pages why can't I see it now?) referred to those programs as "PUP"s Potentially Unwanted Programs... "if the shoe fits" as the proverb goes...

That is what I'm worried about...

I used to listen to all of the You tubes by CNET and they even had a television show (or still do?) examinaing computers and comparing and rating products, which I followed and listened to.

But----- I experienced and found out they got taken over by the 5 letter word "MONEY" and these ones: "GREED" and "MORE"

So they have filled up their download "button" with an installer, that loads all types of "PUP"s onto your computer!!

And downloading the "free" item also gets more and more onto your computer.

I just upgraded a Java (I should not have but it was flashing in my face for a week now) upgrade---and they said very very VERY clearly, "keeping these two boxes checked puts ASK toolbar on your comupter and makes ASK your default search engine" Well thank you for being so nicely obvious.... uncheck 2 boxes and thanks for the free upgrade Java!

I DON"T MIND THOSE AT ALL!

They ask you politely if you want them or not!

I complain that the CNET ones are hidden in their 30-40 page tiny type "accept license to use downloader" and if you do not want these extra programs..... well TOUGH LUCK! There is no "opt out button!" You just don't get the freebies from CNET Then!

So you see mjf, my question is not whether or not the actual free program is the correct one! I mean after all that I still trust CNET to deliver the goods.... I just don't want extra goodies inhabitating my computer---and taking hours of typing these long long long messages to nice people like you in this Forum asking HOW do I get rid of them!

(Someone said for one toolbar/item... you can't ever remove it---- tough luck kiddo!) (ON XP help Forum, not here)

So I've been BURNT over and over and since I need a new backup program to replace the one no longer sold..... I was thrown suddenly into the wide world of FREEWARE with all of the PUPs they can load on to me!

[Re-reading my post before posting it--I almost forgot to mention....--- yes mjf, thanks for saying what I was trying to check out before writing in to complain (hate complaining when others here worked so hard to provide a solution for me)
I saw just like you mjf, that there is NO direct download arrow.... anywhere else I look... I just am going to use Major Geeks as people here (and research on Google) seems so far, to support they are still a good downloading site, what CNET used to be so I will chance to take my Macrium I need for backups when I get my HDD from that site]

So that's the long story...... Thanks for doing the comparison... hope you didn't catch anything from CNET and other places that you didn't want on your computer when you did these for us!!

Thanks again mjf for sharing!

 

[XP VM User]

More articles about this

Thanks DavidE for reminding me....

I had some recent sites (I had a 2014 too!) complaining about CNET's "crapware" as one calls it.

See

Confirmed: CNET

and

Avoiding Adware in Installers | MalwareTips.com

and I do have a "mac" (I know a bad word to say here) So this shows the bad things CNET does is an "equal opportunity" PUPs with these being forced upon Mac users as well as PC users!

CNET's Download.com Adware Installer Bundled with Popular Apps - Advisory

For 2013 ones.... about the problem.... showing it is very pervasive...........

 

[XP VM User]

Sorry folks!
The robot on this site did it again.... why does it change my blue http:// links to words???
They are all ok, but other times they went to wrong addresses... no one answered what is going on in my other thread as I wrote toooo much other items... this got lost in the middle....

 

[whs]

Here is an avatar you might like.

 

[XP VM User]

Really cool! Thanks for knowing my avatar....

How is that done? He has no "guide spots" as I've seen done in movies to plot his points and movements! Like magic without them!

 

[whs]

No idea how it's done. I just picked that up from somewhere.

 

[mjf]

I'm sounding a bit like a broken record (?maybe people don't know what that expression means anymore) but in the context of downloading the free version of Macrium you download a program that performs the download - reflectdl.exe. This program is identical whether you download it from majorgeeks or cnet which Macrium point you to for their software. So I see no cnet risk for obtaining free Macrium.

 

[XP VM User]

An Alternative view

No problem mjf!

I got what you said....

I'm sounding a bit like a broken record (?maybe people don't know what that expression means anymore) but in the context of downloading the free version of Macrium you download a program that performs the download - reflectdl.exe. This program is identical whether you download it from majorgeeks or cnet which Macrium point you to for their software. So I see no cnet risk for obtaining free Macrium.

LOL, I thought I was the only one left in Universe that used that expression--- I know what you said... still have "vinyl" ones (OK when I said that word "vinyl"---I can hear all the sounds of computers hanging up on this page now... that's not nice! Joking there)

I see where you get the impression about the reflectdll.exe

I'm not safe yet, so I'm not going to experiment--someone else can check CNET and post screen shots for me if they want to..

Last time I used CNET for a download... BEFORE (see? its "one of the early steps") I can download anything like "reflectdll.exe" which is a program! from the CNET site, they insist that I have their "downloader " program.....

NO it did not matter if I had a "downloader" from them months/year earlier as CNET says it always has to be done again, the latest version, or ELSE YOU CANT GET THEIR FREE OFFERS OF PROGRAMS!

That is it mjf, that is what is the big difference between CNET today and sites like Major Geeks (I HOPE!!!!! others have assured me its true)

Because with their (CNET's) Free downloader program, which will then install the "refloectdll.exe" "installer" program for you to get FREE copy of Macrium,

comes all of the PUPs Spy Ad-Ware programs we're trying to avoid here.....

That's the point, so appreciate your comparisons and no you do not sound like a broken record as your point is valid too, it is of course the real program..... it does use the same reflectdll.exe installer,

BUT its the one without the added "bells and whistles" (remember that older phrase?) that I want installed in the computer..... I just want a "plain vanilla" (with vanilla beans.... does anyone make those anymore?) type of download in today's world..

Hope that explains everything mjf.... if not write back.... for if you have questions others in the future reading this will have questions too!

Thanks!

 

[mjf]

Last time I used CNET for a download... BEFORE (see? its "one of the early steps") I can download anything like "reflectdll.exe" which is a program! from the CNET site, they insist that I have their "downloader " program.....

When you go here
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
then select the cnet download button and you get

When I download the file reflectdl.exe it is bit for bit identical with the same file downloaded from majorgeeks (I used a hex editor file comparison).

Maybe cnet used to give you their custom downloader and maybe they still do for other downloads but not for this one at this time of posting. I'm not making a general support statement for cnet and if they ever offer me their custom downloader I will reject it.