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  1. #1
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    Default SpywareBot

    Firstly, I know it's pretty obvious they are copying SpyBot's name, and I don't like that.
    But in SpyBot it picks it up as spyware. I'm not sure if it's spyware or not, but I know I had adware that somehow attached itself to IE7, so that no matter what page I went to an ad would pop up in a new window, and I tried Ad-Aware and Spybot and a few other programs to get rid of it and neither worked. Then I tried SpywareBot and it got rid of it.
    Well actually it didn't get rid of it, because I only have the trial version, but after the scan it had the folder and registry hierarchy visible so I was able to go through and delete the spyware myself.
    So I don't know whether SpywareBot is spyware itself, but I do know that it also gets rid of spyware.
    Does anyone know what it does that makes it spyware? Or is it just that the guy who makes SpyBot doesn't like it 'cause it stole his name? I understand if it's that, I would probably do the same thing.

  2. #2
    Member of Team Spybot tashi's Avatar
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    Hello SubJunk.
    Quote Originally Posted by SubJunk View Post
    Or is it just that the guy who makes SpyBot doesn't like it 'cause it stole his name? I understand if it's that, I would probably do the same thing.
    No small matter:
    Trademark issues. 4. August 2006

    As a result of our ongoing efforts to protect our users from frauds, we're happy to announce that we were able to shut down three major mock sites: spybot.org is now registered to us as well, and the misleading selling of anti-spyware software on spybot.cc and spybot.biz has been shut down.

    Our main targets now are free-spybot.com (with a dozen other very similar domains) and spywarebot.com, who still cheat many people each day into paying for something they believe would be Spybot-S&D. If you are one of those who were mislead by one of these pages, please let us know at legal@spybot.info.
    http://www.safer-networking.org/en/news/2006-08-04.html

    exploits name "Spybot Search & Destroy"; same app as AdwareAlert [A: 5-14-06 / U: 5-14-06]
    Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites

    I don't know if their program is clean, their methods are not.
    Microsoft MVP Reconnect 2018-
    Windows Insider MVP 2016-2018
    Microsoft Consumer Security MVP 2006-2016

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by tashi View Post
    I don't know if their program is clean, their methods are not.
    I realise that people definitely confuse the two programs, but as a long-time user of SpyBot I didn't have them confused. I'm sure SpyBot detects spyware that SpywareBot doesn't, but the opposite is also true, they detect different things.
    All I know is that even though SpywareBot is capitalizing on the SpyBot name, which I don't take lightly, it seems to me as if they also happen to make a program which is good and doesn't fit the category of spyware at all.
    It also seems slightly counter-intuitive that SpyBot would tell computer users it's spyware as a protest against SpywareBot being mistaken for SpyBot, because obviously if a user has both programs on their computer they are already aware that they are two different programs.
    It's not a big deal really, I only used SpywareBot to remove a single piece of spyware that slipped through the cracks when I changed firewalls (IE7 is so freakin' useless on it's own! I was only without a firewall for 10 minutes! :p) and now it's deleted anyway, but I think it's pretty underhanded and wrong to pick it up as spyware.
    SpyBot's purpose is to detect spyware, not software made by dishonest/sneaky companies who don't make spyware. If that was it's purpose then why doesn't it detect Windows XP itself? :p
    It's dishonest to call a program spyware just because they company are assholes and are capitalizing off your hard-earned name is all I'm trying to say, maybe come up with a different detection or popup window that says "this program isn't spyware but we think you should delete it anyway" or something like that, I dunno

  4. #4
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    First of all, SpywareBOT is not detected as Spyware, it is detected as malware. Today there are many rouge anti-spyware products like SpywareBOT and AdwareAlert, which are definetly the same tools with different names. Additionaly you do not find any information about the company behind these two rouge anti-spyware products. If you look who the owner of the domain of these company is, you will see that is a anonymous service. So why should a company that tries to make a "good" program use such methods to hide themself?

    I warn everybody, do not use SpywareBOT! It can be dangerous for your computer. And don't get cheated by those guys!

    If you want to see which tools are rouge anti-spyware tools you can have a look here:

    http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MisterW View Post
    It can be dangerous for your computer.
    What does it do that can be dangerous to computers?

  6. #6
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    In my opinion it tries to frighten users by showing false positives as "high risk problems". Often such entries are made by rouge antispyware tools themself. Additionally it picks up harmless cookies as high risk problems and tries to make people buying a licence to get problems (that do not really exist) resolved...

  7. #7
    kmatwater
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    Unhappy Aaagh! Confusing typos.

    Quote Originally Posted by SubJunk View Post
    I realise that people definitely confuse the two programs, but as a long-time user of SpyBot I didn't have them confused. I'm sure SpyBot detects spyware that SpywareBot doesn't, but the opposite is also true, they detect different things.
    All I know is that even though SpywareBot is capitalizing on the SpyBot name, which I don't take lightly, it seems to me as if they also happen to make a program which is good and doesn't fit the category of spyware at all.
    It also seems slightly counter-intuitive that SpyBot would tell computer users it's spyware as a protest against SpywareBot being mistaken for SpyBot, because obviously if a user has both programs on their computer they are already aware that they are two different programs.
    It's not a big deal really, I only used SpywareBot to remove a single piece of spyware that slipped through the cracks when I changed firewalls (IE7 is so freakin' useless on it's own! I was only without a firewall for 10 minutes! :p) and now it's deleted anyway, but I think it's pretty underhanded and wrong to pick it up as spyware.
    SpyBot's purpose is to detect spyware, not software made by dishonest/sneaky companies who don't make spyware. If that was it's purpose then why doesn't it detect Windows XP itself? :p
    It's dishonest to call a program spyware just because they company are assholes and are capitalizing off your hard-earned name is all I'm trying to say, maybe come up with a different detection or popup window that says "this program isn't spyware but we think you should delete it anyway" or something like that, I dunno
    I'm trying to learn from all of you, but picking through what's intended It also seems slightly counter-intuitive that SpyBot would tell computer users it's spyware as a protest against SpywareBot being mistaken for SpyBot, where "it's" is actually meant as "it is"--I think, and then encountering If that was it's purpose which I'm sure was meant to be possessive "its" is confusing. Can you all proof these before you send them? There's good info here, but having to re-read through typos slows down the transmission--like the red software referred to in a later post, which I guess was meant as "rogue".
    Last edited by tashi; 2007-09-01 at 18:14. Reason: Removed email address in username

  8. #8
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    Default Trademark Infringement

    Here's the basic deal:

    If someone tries to get you into a business relationship based upon a fraud, deception, white lie, misunderstanding, or other come-on, where is the relationship going to go from there? Downhill, period.

    Let's face it, the "SpywareBot" people are lying to you from the get-go - trying to piggyback off the good name and good will of Spybot S&D to get people to be their customers.

    Do you think they would stop at the first lie? Do you think a relationship based upon deception is going to go anywhere? If so, I have a blind date for you. He's still on parole, but he's a real nice guy, trust me.

    Walk away from "sound alike" companies. The fact they are trading on another's name and goodwill should tell you volumes about they way they do business (shady) they way they view their customers (fools) and the way they feel about the law (ignore it).

    If "Spywarebot" ends up selling your data to 3rd parties, infecting your system with spyware, botware, trojans, worms, or whatever, you have no one but yourself to blame. They told you up front what sort of organization they are. You went ahead and did business with them anyway.

    The same is true for any other organization that markets using the same or similar shady techniques - telemarketing, SPAM, or whatever. People who respond to SPAM or telemarketers and then act all suprised when they get ripped off are FOOLS, period, and do not merit any sympathy.

    If you get an envelope in the mail that looks like something from the government (Statue of Liberty on the front, and "pay to the order" in the window above your name), and you open it only to find it is a credit card offer, do you think it is a good idea to do business with them? The entire relationship is predicated on a lie. Don't be suprised when they lie to you down the road....

    Just say no to these sorts of con artists. Patronizing such folks only encourages them and keeps them in business.

    If you have a good product or service at a good price, there is no need for such deception or trickery - the world will find you in short order, regardless of your product name.

    That's how Spybot S&D did it, anyway....

    FWIW.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by robertplattbell View Post
    Here's the basic deal:

    If someone tries to get you into a business relationship based upon a fraud, deception, white lie, misunderstanding, or other come-on, where is the relationship going to go from there? Downhill, period.

    Let's face it, the "SpywareBot" people are lying to you from the get-go - trying to piggyback off the good name and good will of Spybot S&D to get people to be their customers.

    Do you think they would stop at the first lie? Do you think a relationship based upon deception is going to go anywhere? If so, I have a blind date for you. He's still on parole, but he's a real nice guy, trust me.

    Walk away from "sound alike" companies. The fact they are trading on another's name and goodwill should tell you volumes about they way they do business (shady) they way they view their customers (fools) and the way they feel about the law (ignore it).

    If "Spywarebot" ends up selling your data to 3rd parties, infecting your system with spyware, botware, trojans, worms, or whatever, you have no one but yourself to blame. They told you up front what sort of organization they are. You went ahead and did business with them anyway.

    The same is true for any other organization that markets using the same or similar shady techniques - telemarketing, SPAM, or whatever. People who respond to SPAM or telemarketers and then act all suprised when they get ripped off are FOOLS, period, and do not merit any sympathy.

    If you get an envelope in the mail that looks like something from the government (Statue of Liberty on the front, and "pay to the order" in the window above your name), and you open it only to find it is a credit card offer, do you think it is a good idea to do business with them? The entire relationship is predicated on a lie. Don't be suprised when they lie to you down the road....

    Just say no to these sorts of con artists. Patronizing such folks only encourages them and keeps them in business.

    If you have a good product or service at a good price, there is no need for such deception or trickery - the world will find you in short order, regardless of your product name.

    That's how Spybot S&D did it, anyway....

    FWIW.
    Talk about bringing up an ancient thread! The conclusion was the SpywareBot got rid of a lot of my spyware that no other program did, but we have concluded the program is no good because people receive mysterious credit card withdrawals as a result of that program being installed.
    As for the other points you and others seem to think are important, I suggest you learn how marketing works because it's not a lovely market where everyone is respectful of eachother, it is cut-throat and many many products that are successful are only successful because they have more aggressive marketing, not because they're the best product. There were portable MP3 players before the iPod, but Apple had advertising that appealed to the hipster audience.
    Anyway I personally don't care if SpywareBot uses my personal information in tricky ways, my operating system does that all the time. I don't have anything to hide, I look up no more or less porn than anyone else, I have no illusions of grandeur that would cause me to get upset at my oh-so-important data being sent away. I hate spyware when it makes my computer run slowly or display random ads.
    Mwahaha I can rant with the best of 'em! Look, i wrote several paragraphs and still didn't really say anything!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by tashi View Post
    I don't know if their program is clean, their methods are not.
    Exactly, thanks for being honest
    So the detection is a protest against the company as opposed to the program actually being malware.
    Doesn't that seem a little dishonest? I mean, telling your users a program is harmful when it isn't seems to me to be just as bad as what you are angry at SpywareBot for. Why stoop to their level?

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