false positive: error nuker

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 is another story about Trek Blue:
 
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
 
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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.
 
User2 said:
Right - so Spybot not only targets genuine spyware/adware, it also targets programs that support spyware/adware. Amazing. That is quite an ethical stance.
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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.
 
cvalde said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
Again? :scratch:

Buster said:
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 is another story about Trek Blue:
Click to expand...
tashi said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
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.
 
theCaptain said:
... 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.
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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.
 
User2 said:
I wish that Spybot would come to a decision about this.
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They have and they gave you their reasons. That you don't like the decision requires nothing from them.

User2 said:
Well, I have simply excluded it from the list of 'malware' threats that S&D detects.
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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).

User2 said:
Any news about Error Nuker?
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Team Spybot owes you nothing.
 
User2:

User2 said:
Any news about Error Nuker?
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It is probably still being targeted, although I don't actually know since I don't use the product. Buster provided and explanation of why Trek Blue's Error Nuker is targeted by Spybot in the following post:
You have posted nine (9) times in this thread asking why it is targeted or if it is still targeted since Buster 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 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.
 
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