View Full Version : false positive: error nuker
sneaky13
2005-11-29, 01:31
trek blue error nuker is a false positive
I bought it to clean my registry, which it does perfectly
http://www.errornuker.com/
go there to make sure
Hi Sneaky13,
This is why Trek Blue Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot:
A pop-up caused by CoolWWWSearch.Aff.Winshow urges the user to download ErrorNuker in order to clean unwanted registry entries from the system. Having had to accept an unsatisfying privacy policy and having installed the program the PC is being scanned and 2 or 3 pseudo threats are reported. If the user tries to fix those a dialog pops up telling him that the threats cannot be fixed using the test version and that he will have to buy the full version for about 40 EUR.
And here (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/news/2003-02-12.html) is another story about Trek Blue:
sneaky13
2005-11-29, 17:35
on top of that when you erase error nuker ( evaluation version) they ask you why
I answered it's far too expensive
so they sold it to me something like 3 times cheeper
Hi
I have also just installed Trek Blue's Error Nuker - a registry analyzer/fixer. I was a little suprised and concerned when I saw that S&D identified it as a threat. From the answer submitted above - I do not understand how this is a threat. What is malicious about Trek Blue's Error Nuker? I installed it because it was very highly recommended out of a list of about 10 registry cleaners.
I understand that there was a dispute about S&D's spyware/bot database being used without consent by Trek Blue - but was this ever cleared up?
So - is Error Nuker itself a threat? If so, what is the threat? I have paid for the full version - if it is genuinely bad then I will ask for a refund.
Hello.
I thought Buster explained why Trek Blue Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot quite well in his post above. :)
However we do encourage members to make up their own mind as to the software they install.
Cheers.
Right - so Spybot not only targets genuine spyware/adware, it also targets programs that support spyware/adware. Amazing. That is quite an ethical stance.
Right - so Spybot not only targets genuine spyware/adware, it also targets programs that support spyware/adware. Amazing. That is quite an ethical stance.
I have been in contact with Trek Blue, particularly Error Nuker's support staff about this matter.
They did not deny that this has happened but they claim that the link was provided by an affiliate company, that the link has now been removed, and that the affiliate company has been banned from further association with their product.
Taking this information into account, perhaps you could update your database accordingly after you have investigated this matter further?
Folks, for an idea of companies that "never know" they appear in affiliate sites, maybe you could have a look at this post from Mark Russinovich:
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2006/01/antispyware-conspiracy.html
If you want to see how money flows, in case you don't know this link
http://www.benedelman.org/
I think you'll agree that things aren't that clear and vendors aren't that innocent... better purchase SW from very reputable companies. AV products now can do some scan for parasites, some firewalls have antispyware modules and specifically for malware that's not virus you have ad-aware, this Spybot and Ewido as credible companies, etc.
Don't buy the first thing you see in the net!
C.
Folks, for an idea of companies that "never know" they appear in affiliate sites, maybe you could have a look at this post from Mark Russinovich:
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2006/01/antispyware-conspiracy.html
If you want to see how money flows, in case you don't know this link
http://www.benedelman.org/
I think you'll agree that things aren't that clear and vendors aren't that innocent... better purchase SW from very reputable companies. AV products now can do some scan for parasites, some firewalls have antispyware modules and specifically for malware that's not virus you have ad-aware, this Spybot and Ewido as credible companies, etc.
Don't buy the first thing you see in the net!
C.
Well, I researched the program and it had come very highly rated.
Personally, I am still waiting for a response from one of the Spybot team - if Error Nuker's Tech Support's statement is true, then Error Nuker will be removed from the database. If not - they should post back here and tell us if the statement is bogus.
Hi again
Has anyone looked into this yet? I have just scanned my system with the latest updates and it has highlighted Error Nuker again. If the Spybot team still considers this program to be classified as spyware I would like to know - I do not wish to support such software and will ask for a refund and uninstall it from my system.
See what Eric Howe has to say about Spyware Nuker:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
md usa spybot fan
2006-02-05, 16:53
YoKenny:
The discussion in this thread was concerning Trek Blue's Error Nuker, not Trek Blue's Spyware Nuker product
The Spyware Warrior List of Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites that you referenced de-listed Trek Blue's Spyware Nuker product.
Trek Blue's Error Nuker is a registry cleanup tool not an Anti-spyware product.
:confused:
Well, I have simply excluded it from the list of 'malware' threats that S&D detects :D
However, I shall be checking back here occassionally to see if and when Error Nuker is reclassified.
So, any news yet on Error Nuker? Is it malware? Is it bad? Should I uninstall it?
Again? :scratch:
Hi Sneaky13,
This is why Trek Blue Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot:
A pop-up caused by CoolWWWSearch.Aff.Winshow urges the user to download ErrorNuker in order to clean unwanted registry entries from the system. Having had to accept an unsatisfying privacy policy and having installed the program the PC is being scanned and 2 or 3 pseudo threats are reported. If the user tries to fix those a dialog pops up telling him that the threats cannot be fixed using the test version and that he will have to buy the full version for about 40 EUR.
And here (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/news/2003-02-12.html) is another story about Trek Blue:
Hello.
I thought Buster explained why Trek Blue Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot quite well in his post above. :)
However we do encourage members to make up their own mind as to the software they install.
Cheers.
theCaptain
2006-02-25, 18:53
Actually, if you go to SpywareWarrior.com you'll find that Spyware-Nuker has been de-listed as a rogue. See http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#de-listed
Furthermore, it is a common tactic by "registry cleaner" applications to find errors, but not fix them until you pay. Registry Mechanic by PC Tools (a reputable company) uses the same tactic.
And don't get me started on the advertising networks, they're so screwed up that even reputable companies like McAfee and their Anti-Spyware product show up as an advertiser in Adware apps.
But the real problem here is objectivity. It seems pretty clear to me (IMHO) that Spybot is harbouring a grudge against this company (despite it having made significant changes) and as a result is handing users biased and misleading information. So what you say? Users can make their own choices? Wrong. Users rely on Spybot to make those kind of choices for them trusting Spybot to give the the correct information. And it just doesn't appear to be happening (in this case).
Note: This is in now way an endorsement in favor of Regsitry Nuker or Spyware Nuker - I have no idea whether they are good or bad apps. My point here is that the industry needs and requires unbiased and accurate information.
... But the real problem here is objectivity. It seems pretty clear to me (IMHO) that Spybot is harbouring a grudge against this company (despite it having made significant changes) and as a result is handing users biased and misleading information. So what you say? Users can make their own choices? Wrong. Users rely on Spybot to make those kind of choices for them trusting Spybot to give the the correct information. And it just doesn't appear to be happening (in this case).
Note: This is in now way an endorsement in favor of Regsitry Nuker or Spyware Nuker - I have no idea whether they are good or bad apps. My point here is that the industry needs and requires unbiased and accurate information.
I must admit to having the same feeling. I am not entirely sure that the decision to classify Trek Blue's software as malware ("Malware (a portmanteau of "malicious software") is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system, without the owner's consent" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware ), is entirely unbiased.
I wish that Spybot would come to a decision about this.
Any news about Error Nuker?
I wish that Spybot would come to a decision about this.
They have and they gave you their reasons. That you don't like the decision requires nothing from them.
Well, I have simply excluded it from the list of 'malware' threats that S&D detects.
If you disagree, continue as you've stated, that's why the ability to Ignore a detection is provided. Or stop using the program, that is your priviledge, it's a free program and a free world (at least parts of it).
Any news about Error Nuker?
Team Spybot owes you nothing.
md usa spybot fan
2006-03-11, 01:08
User2:
Any news about Error Nuker?
It is probably still being targeted, although I don't actually know since I don't use the product. Buster (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=3) provided and explanation of why Trek Blue's Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot in the following post:
http://forums.spybot.info/showpost.php?p=2775&postcount=2
You have posted nine (9) times in this thread asking why it is targeted or if it is still targeted since Buster (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=3) provided that explanation.
I am curious if in the two months you have been posting here whether or not you ever contacted Trek Blue and asked them if the statements by Buster (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=3) were valid and if so why they can not control their advertising affiliates from pushing "Error Nuker" via seemingly deceptive practices.
If you feel the detection is a false positive or if you do not want Spybot alerting you, Spybot provides a facility to either:
"Exclude this detection from further searches"
"Exclude this product from future scans"
Please avail yourself of those options.
User2:
You have posted nine (9) times in this thread asking why it is targeted or if it is still targeted since Buster (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=3) provided that explanation.
I am curious if in the two months you have been posting here whether or not you ever contacted Trek Blue and asked them if the statements by Buster (http://forums.spybot.info/member.php?u=3) were valid and if so why they can not control their advertising affiliates from pushing "Error Nuker" via seemingly deceptive practices.
If you feel the detection is a false positive or if you do not want Spybot alerting you, Spybot provides a facility to either:
"Exclude this detection from further searches"
"Exclude this product from future scans"
Please avail yourself of those options.
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question. Post number 7 states that I have already contacted Trek Blue's Tech Support about this. I pointed them to this thread and asked them to comment about the information given here.
Specifically, their response was:
"This is all hear say- the truth is that an unauthorized party that sing (sic) up as affiliate promoted our program via a net work that we have clearly stayed away. Since then we have removed the link and band the member from any business with us."
What I wanted was a response to this - as I clearly stated in the earlier post. If no one replies to this, or checks it, how am I supposed to know if Spybot have looked into this again? If this is a false positive, as seems the case from Trek Blue's response, then surely it is in Spybot's interest to rectify this. However, if Trek Blue's statement is untrue, then I need to know so I can uninstall this software.
As was stated in a previous post - Spybot provide this service - with that service comes responsibility. Spybot's users therefore rely on Spybot to make informed decisions about what is malware - and if Trek Blue's software is malware then we should be told.
The information I have provided was posted after, and in response to, the initial reply.
So, once again, what is Spybot's reply to this? Are Trek Blue lying? Or are they telling the truth? Is Spybot's information outdated?
I am not having a go at Spybot - I just wish someone would acknowledge this and state that Spybot is either re-evaluating Error Nuker, or that the re-evaluation has taken place and the software is either still classified as malware or is safe (ethically :) ) to use.
As to your last paragraph - I have already stated in post number 13 that I have done exactly that.
So, what's it to be?
...................
This is why Trek Blue Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot:
A pop-up caused by CoolWWWSearch.Aff.Winshow urges the user to download ErrorNuker in order to clean unwanted registry entries from the system. Having had to accept an unsatisfying privacy policy and having installed the program the PC is being scanned and 2 or 3 pseudo threats are reported. If the user tries to fix those a dialog pops up telling him that the threats cannot be fixed using the test version and that he will have to buy the full version for about 40 EUR.
And here (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/news/2003-02-12.html) is another story about Trek Blue:
I give up - your inability to provide clear information about this is extremely frustrating. You provided a response to the inital query, I asked Trek Blue for information about that and posted it, and then you keep repeating the initial response without commenting on Trek Blue's response.
theCaptain
2006-03-17, 04:24
I should state that I have no vested interest here. I could care less about the software or whether Spybot detects it - but where I see an injustice or bad logic, I have to voice my opinion..... (OK, well, actually, I don’t like Trek Blue as a company, but that’s another story that doesn’t factor into this)
Because an advertisement shows up in adware is not proof positive that it's bad. I've even seen McAfee, Panda, Earthlink, etc. advertised through adware. Affiliates are notorious for slipping your ads into adware inventory even when expressly forbidden to.
Because it uses the business model whereby it will scan, and then ask for money to clean is also not a valid reason. You'd have to flag about 1/2 of the Anti-Spyware Apps out there if that were the case. You'd also have to flag Registry Mechanic by PC Tools and Registry Cleaner by Software Online.
If they (Trek Blue) use actual false positives to induce purchase - then that's very bad behavior making it a fraudulent act. That would warrant reporting them to the FTC, but not flagging it as spyware, malware, or adware (what is it flagged as?). But I don't see anyone making any definitive claims that it's an actual false positive here. Do I? Anyone?
It seems to me that logic, rules, and criteria are not dictating the decision to 'detect' it, but rather a personal bias because of a past altercation with the company over a separate product. Perhaps the right question to ask here is: Tell me which targeting criteria it fails and why?
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/targetpolicy/index.html
So the bottom line here is that Spybot will never give an objective determination of the product, so, yes, it's time to give up on this. You should go elsewhere for guidance on whether it is quality software or not. Unfortunately I can’t give you any advice in that regard. I have only ever used registry mechanic and it screwed my system up so I don't use anything now.
I am glad I am not the only one thinking this.
Seems pretty obvious to me that when someone responds in a childish fashion (i.e. by not responding intelligently), their argument is usually without basis.
I am also beginning to think that the lack of an intelligent response is due to 'sour grapes' because of a previous dispute with Trek Blue.
Well, I just got that detection for the first time today (I really don't know why since I haven't been anyplace other than my usual haunts - I AM trialing the "Pro" version ofSUPERAntiSpyware, however since yesterday: http://www.superantispyware.com/ ).
I sent off a bug report (which can be ignored, now that I've read this).
As long as letting SBS&D delete the key doesn't harm anything, system-wise, then I really don't have a problem letting it fix it (why would one want an un-needed registry-key, anyway? What's the point in having/leaving it?).
At any rate, I posted a question about it to that program's developer here:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15696639~start=40 . Pete
User2 are you employed by Error Nuker ?
Seems to me you want to defend the indefensible. Spyware or not, if you follow the previous posts and links it becoms obvious that Error Nuker is a rip off of SpyBot S&D (and an old one at that) and the many "user" recommendations are being spamed from BlueTrak. Which leads me to wonder about your bonafides! If nothing else you are paying the wrong people. Since SpyBot is free and asks only for donations, why pay ripp off merchants like Blue Trak?
User2 are you employed by Error Nuker ?
Seems to me you want to defend the indefensible. Spyware or not, if you follow the previous posts and links it becoms obvious that Error Nuker is a rip off of SpyBot S&D (and an old one at that) and the many "user" recommendations are being spamed from BlueTrak. Which leads me to wonder about your bonafides! If nothing else you are paying the wrong people. Since SpyBot is free and asks only for donations, why pay ripp off merchants like Blue Trak?
I love you guys. You are like md usa spybot fan - you have not read the thread before posting. I am fully aware of Spybot's history with Trek Blue (not Blue Trak). This is why I think this is simply 'sour grapes'.
Your comments are insulting.
I was simply asking for a response to this stuff. It is obvious to me that no further investigation has taken place, and is unlikely to.
Take your useless, childish comments elsewhere.
md usa spybot fan
2006-09-15, 20:28
User2:
My sincere apology for having made suggestions in a post (http://forums.spybot.info/showpost.php?p=15201&postcount=20) nine months ago about a course of action that you could take in regard to the detection of SpywareNuker in Spybot, when in fact I overlooked statements among the nine posts you made prior to that indicating you had already pursued those measures.
To be honest, I thought this was dead.
I honestly don't really have much of a problem with the whole thing - I just don't like people extracting the urine or being rude. Comprende?
Seen as this is going nowhere, maybe this thread should be locked? S-S&D sure as hell are not interested in it.
Read this thread: Registry Cleaners, not recommended (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30038)
WOT's rating for website link: http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/registrycleanergeeks.com
was going to comment on a link in this post;
however,its been de-linked allready. :)
oh dear.
mistake#1 posting in this thread.
mistake#2 the links is live,for me its blocked by my hosts file.
i have de-linked it in my quote.
the link leads to a rouge company is all i was trying to bring up.