TO THE DEVELOPER OF MESSENGER PLUS:

When the sponsor bar appeared on my screen one of the first links available was labeled SEX. Hello!! Maybe I'm wrong, but don't children use the internet?? My little sister doesn't need that crap dished out to her.

1) DO NOT bundle the piece-of-crap junk software known as adware with Messenger Plus. No one wants it. It alters our personal settings. You people screw with my personal settings and I get EXTREMELY PO'd.

2) DO NOT say on your official public forum the adware/sponsor is "harmless" and " very handy." FACT: It is NOT!! You're a developer, you should know this!!

You obviously know that pretty much everyone automatically clicks "Yes" or something that resembles "Yes" for license agreements. Thats how Morpheous416 (see previous thread) and I were misled by you (the developer) to install the sponsor adware. We want your excellent messenger add-on, not to have to sit and interpret your installer into english.

Get It Right Guys!

Hey all its me again. I just got this in my e-mail in response to my original post.

----
That means you installed the OPTIONAL sponsor program.
To remove it: http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=21598... (visit the thread to read more)
----

Well...DUUUH! I know its OPTIONAL. Maybe if you'd read my post you'd see the point I'm trying to make!

Of course the adware is harmless, and yes, as a developer, I can affirm it. There's nothing wrong about advertisement popuips and a search bar (yes, a search bar IS handy).

I'm not misleading anyone, the words "Sponsor Agreement" are written in bold at the top of the agreement window and if you check the window again, you'll see that there's nothing wrong with it (about 40% of my users don't install with the sponsor, that's 800,000 people every month, it can't count for nothing).

However, I agree with you that sexual content must not be displayed, and I've taken a lot of steps with my sponsor to avoid this. I just reinstalled the sponsor package and I don't see anything wrong on the main page of the search engine. Could you give more information about your problem?

Thank you,
Patchou

When I open IE, a search bar is added to the Windows Task Bar that includes two sex links. I have attached a JPG screen shot of this bar. (If the attachment isn't available please visit http://meaty.bravehost.com/mysearchbar_01.jpg)

This is what happened:

-After installing Messenger Plus and realizing my default homepage was changed, I promptly went into Internet Options and clicked 'Use Blank.'

-Upon restarting the computer the default homepage was changed (AGAIN) to this:
http://mysearchnow.com/passthrough/index.html?http://about:blank

-A search bar is added to the taskbar as stated above.

Thanks.

If your home page is changed back automatically, it proibably means that you have some other adware program installed, I'll confirm that with my sponsor.

However, this big bar you show in the screenshot is aweful, how did you get that? are you positively sure it comes from my sponsor? I never saw that and its not supposed to be there.

Please note this search bar does not appear unless I click 'Use Blank' in the Internet Options of IE. I am convinced this is a result of the sponsor/adware bundled with MP-3. I run a very clean computer and at this time MP-3's sponsor is the only adware running.

This is what I did to get the search bar attached to the taskbar:

1) Install MP-3 with Sponsor software
2) Open IE after installation is done...the default homepage is changed to the Web Search.
3) Open Internet Options from the Tools menu and click 'Use Blank' for the homepage.
4) Close IE and restart the computer (thats what I always did, you may or may not have to restart).
5) Open IE and the search bar attached to the taskbar will appear.

I did this three times (uninstalling MP-3 each time and verifying I had a clean system running no adware) and each time I had the same result.

1) When I open IE this is the path it follows (set in the default homepage):
http://mysearchnow.com/passthrough/index.html?http://about:blank
and the window title is 'Invalid syntax error - Microsoft Internet Explorer'

2) IE then creates a second instance of IE on the taskbar even though no second window appears. This second instance of IE is actually the search bar attached to the taskbar. The window is titled 'http://mysearchnow.com/...'

You'll see the titles in my previously attached JPG.

Thank you for your time this evening.

I believe that huge bar on your desktop is from C2 Media (aka "Lop"). My friend had a similar problem to that a couple of days ago. I dont think this is spyware or adware from Messenger Plus.

the search bar got rid of my address bar, any idea how to get it back?

quote:

---

Originally posted by traxor
the search bar got rid of my address bar, any idea how to get it back?

---

I uninstalled Plus temporarily because of the sponser, and also restarted. However, I never received a window with code.

I think I might have run adaware sometime before trying to remove the sponsor, so I hope that didn't mess anything up...

Anyways, the sponsor program is still there, is there anything else I can do to remove it?

quote:

---

Originally posted by frankiedaman
I believe that huge bar on your desktop is from C2 Media (aka "Lop"). My friend had a similar problem to that a couple of days ago. I dont think this is spyware or adware from Messenger Plus.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by frankiedaman
I believe that huge bar on your desktop is from C2 Media (aka "Lop"). My friend had a similar problem to that a couple of days ago. I dont think this is spyware or adware from Messenger Plus.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rouge8
I uninstalled Plus temporarily because of the sponser, and also restarted. However, I never received a window with code.

I think I might have run adaware sometime before trying to remove the sponsor, so I hope that didn't mess anything up...

Anyways, the sponsor program is still there, is there anything else I can do to remove it?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by themeaty
Well that huge bar on the desktop from C2 Media (aka "Lop") was not there before installing Messenger Plus w/sponsor. I verified this THREE times.

---

I too have the same toolbar - it only appeared after installing MP-3 and I am having difficulty removing it.  It only appears if i try to change the default home page back to my original one.

This HAS been caused by MP-3 - I can guarantee this and I would like to know how to remove it as uninstalling MP-3 doesn't get rid of it!! (it did on another computer - but not mine)!!

Have you tried to reinstall Plus! with sponsor and uninstall it again?
The file might be corrupted during installation.

I personally never received ad-ware or spyware through messenger plus

I use 3 programs to clean house when I go to crack sites

SpywareBlaster
Spybot - Search & Destroy
HijackThis

I have Norton Internet Security 2004 and he does quite often recognise trash during my weekly scan but quite oftenis unable to remove it

I then use the above programs to clean it all, I scan again with Norton and it doesn't see anything anymore


Nikita

I have added HijackThis if you want to give it a try, dont know what the max attachment size is but but the other programs are most likely to big to attach

trying to add the other 2 aswell

this is SpywareBlaster

just update both 1st after installing

it wont lt me add my favourite Spybot

If you cant find it on the net just IM on msn

Note that if the sponsor installed is the one from Messenger Plus, it is strongly not recommanded not to remove it with spyware removers ! this will prevent it to remove it correctly

quote:

---

Note that if the sponsor installed is the one from Messenger Plus, it is strongly not recommanded not to remove it with spyware removers ! this will prevent it to remove it correctly

---

But if you installed the sponser, do not use ad-aware or any oher kinda thing to remove it...Follow instructions by patchou on how to remove it

quote:

---

Originally posted by XxRebelSeanxX
But if you installed the sponser, do not use ad-aware or any oher kinda thing to remove it...Follow instructions by patchou on how to remove it

---

Greetings,

Following are instructions on how to remove the Messenger Plus! OPTIONAL sponsor:

Removing the OPTIONAL sponsor program bundled with Messenger Plus!

quote:

---

*** NOTE: DO NOT USE AD-AWARE OR SPYBOT TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR, DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE BY YOURSELF, AND/OR DO NOT EDIT THE REGISTRY TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE THIS WILL DAMAGE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE AND MAY PREVENT YOU FROM REMOVING IT CORRECTLY. ***

The only official removal method is by uninstalling Messenger Plus! To do so, go to your Start menu, settings, control panel. Click on Add/Remove Programs, scroll down until you find Messenger Plus!, double click it.

The "Messenger Plus! - Setup" is now displayed. Click on the Uninstall button. After a couple of seconds, the program will ask you if you want to keep your preferences, it is suggested to say "Yes" if you plan to reinstall Messenger Plus! in the future (this question is not related to the sponsor program).

After that the sponsor removal screen is now displayed (Note: If you can't see it, search for it in your taskbar). As a security measure against bots, you are required to enter the code that is shown on the sponsor removal screen. If you entered the code correctly, the program will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall. You must answer "Yes" to this question, else, you won't have another chance of uninstalling.

To complete the uninstallation, follow the instructions that are displayed (the first one is to close all your Internet Explorer windows, that's very important). When everything is complete, restart your computer. This should work, we've tried it loads of times and Messenger Plus!'s testers are required to test out the sponsor installation/uninstllation capabilities.

Reboot.

*** NOTE: DO NOT USE AD-AWARE OR SPYBOT TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR, DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE BY YOURSELF, AND/OR DO NOT EDIT THE REGISTRY TO REMOVE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE THIS WILL DAMAGE THE SPONSOR PACKAGE AND MAY PREVENT YOU FROM REMOVING IT CORRECTLY. ***

---

quote:

---

Method 2: Note: ONLY use this method if you have tried to remove the sponsor by using 3rd party applications or editing the registry.

Uninstall Messenger Plus! by going to your Start menu, settings, control panel. Click on Add/Remove Programs, scroll down until you find Messenger Plus!, double click it.

The "Messenger Plus! - Setup" is now displayed. Click on the Uninstall button. After a couple of seconds, the program will ask you if you want to keep your preferences, it is suggested to say "Yes" if you plan to reinstall Messenger Plus! in the future (this question is not related to the sponsor program).

After that the sponsor removal screen is now displayed (Note: If you can't see it, search for it in your taskbar). As a security measure against bots, you are required to enter the code that is shown on the sponsor removal screen. If you entered the code correctly, the program will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall. You must answer "Yes" to this question, else, you won't have another chance of uninstalling.

To complete the uninstallation, follow the instructions that are displayed (the first one is to close all your Internet Explorer windows, that's very important). When everything is complete, restart your computer. This should work, we've tried it loads of times and Messenger Plus!'s testers are required to test out the sponsor installation/uninstllation capabilities.

Reboot.

Once done install Messenger Plus! WITH THE SPONSOR. Reboot
Next, Uninstall Messenger Plus! by following these instructions:

Click on Add/Remove Programs, scroll down until you find Messenger Plus!, double click it.

The "Messenger Plus! - Setup" is now displayed. Click on the Uninstall button. After a couple of seconds, the program will ask you if you want to keep your preferences, it is suggested to say "Yes" if you plan to reinstall Messenger Plus! in the future (this question is not related to the sponsor program).

After that the sponsor removal screen is now displayed (Note: If you can't see it, search for it in your taskbar). As a security measure against bots, you are required to enter the code that is shown on the sponsor removal screen. If you entered the code correctly, the program will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall. You must answer "Yes" to this question, else, you won't have another chance of uninstalling.

To complete the uninstallation, follow the instructions that are displayed (the first one is to close all your Internet Explorer windows, that's very important). When everything is complete, restart your computer. This should work, we've tried it loads of times and Messenger Plus!'s testers are required to test out the sponsor installation/uninstllation capabilities.

Reboot.

---

Well here's the thing lads and lasses.

Most 'free' software comes at a price, and that price is usually advertising.  When you install rough-and-ready patches to software like mesenger, you always run the risk of compromising system security.

I was particularly amused by the suggestion that the spyware (and that is exactly what it is!) can generate harmless pop-ups. HARMLESS! ... take a look at the coding behind your average pop-up some time and decide how harmless these things are.

I make a living out of undoing the damage that this sort of junk does,   so don't let any moderator or developer fool you into thinking that this stuff is fluffy cuddly and nice.

If the system is THAT good, it would have a price tag that the users would be prepared to pay in order to get rid of the spyware, AND it would prevent kids from downloading the stuff free without adults knowing and getting exposed to who-know-what porn sites etc.

Anyways, thanks for developing this stuff, I make a nice comfortable living getting it BACK OFF OF peoples computers ..... and I can sleep at night.    ) 

Rule of thumb, .... if it looks good, it's free and it interferes with your standard operating system ... don't touch it with a barge-pole.

Later

SK

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
so don't let any moderator or developer fool you into thinking that this stuff is fluffy cuddly and nice.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
...you always run the risk of compromising system security.

---

quote:

---

I was particularly amused by the suggestion that the spyware (and that is exactly what it is!) can generate harmless pop-ups. HARMLESS! ... take a look at the coding behind your average pop-up some time and decide how harmless these things are.

---

quote:

---

I make a living out of undoing the damage that this sort of junk does,   so don't let any moderator or developer fool you into thinking that this stuff is fluffy cuddly and nice.

---

quote:

---

If the system is THAT good, it would have a price tag that the users would be prepared to pay in order to get rid of the spyware.

---

quote:

---

Rule of thumb, .... if it looks good, it's free and it interferes with your standard operating system ... don't touch it with a barge-pole.

---

bit stupid to just press yes you should look before you install something just use a bit more time and be patient

--quote Guido
So, what's all this harmful thingy all we 10 million people don't know about or have suffered from?--


When you install and agree to the spyware, the web browser IE is solidly hijacked to mysearchnow.com.

Using the uninstall which Patchou insists works, in fact leaves the browser hijacked to mysearchnow, which continually attempts to reassert itself as the home page, requiring manual intervention to remove.


--Quote Patchou
If your home page is changed back automatically, it proibably means that you have some other adware program installed
--


Nope,  only the stuff you bundle.

Additionally, instantly Plus was installed, Comet Cursor (well know spyware) attempted to install itself on my system - the start of the 'cascade effect' which quickly overcomes systems once they are exposed to this sort of hijacking.


-- quote Patchou
Of course the adware is harmless, and yes, as a developer, I can affirm it. There's nothing wrong about advertisement popuips and a search bar (yes, a search bar IS handy).
[snip]
I just reinstalled the sponsor package and I don't see anything wrong on the main page of the search engine. Could you give more information about your problem?
--

The first 5 items on the hijack page (mysearchnow) are:
Online Casino
Online Dating
Diet Pills
Web Hosting
Weight Loss

and goes on later....

Viagra


Patchou thinks this is suitable and harmless content for kids?


--Quote Guido
Plus! is free. Err... the sponsor (again, adware) is optional. Err... I don't see any price tag.
--


Yeah?


--Quote EvilSeph (on Patchou)
...and by including a sponsor, he can continue to distribute Messenger Plus! to the public for free.--


Therefore the price for development is ad bundling, as I said.

--Quote Guido
[edit] I'm not mod, I'm not developer, and I'm not a fool.
--


There's no-one so blind as the guy who doesn't want to see.

Later

SK

quote:

---

Originally posted by Guido

quote:

---

Rule of thumb, .... if it looks good, it's free and it interferes with your standard operating system ... don't touch it with a barge-pole.

---

Now that's a rule of thumb.

Oh, and it has no sense

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
I make a living out of undoing the damage that this sort of junk does

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer

quote:

---

Originally posted by Guido

So, what's all this harmful thingy all we 10 million people don't know about or have suffered from?

---

When you install and agree to the spyware, the web browser IE is solidly hijacked to mysearchnow.com.

Using the uninstall which Patchou insists works, in fact leaves the browser hijacked to mysearchnow, which continually attempts to reassert itself as the home page, requiring manual intervention to remove.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
Therefore the price for development is ad bundling, as I said.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
There's no-one so blind as the guy who doesn't want to see.

---

--quote Wolf89
and one question - Do you make living by uninstalling programs from other people's computers?
that's one easy way to make money...
--


No, I make a living undoing virus and spyware damage, not uninstalling programs.

Oh, and yes, it is.  Again, thanks for producing this tosh and keeping me in business. 


--quote CookieRevised
The uninstalling DOES work. Did you close the browser windows before you uninstalled the sponsor? Did you entered
--


I was asked to provide proof after the first mail.

I installed a system clean using XP home SP1

Installed anti Sasser worm patches et-al off line.

Did ALL of the critical updates and recommended updates.

Installed from CD most recent messenger
(no, there are NO viruses or anything else on the CD)

Checked the registry, which was CLEAN (obviously)

Installed Messenger Plus!

Again from CD as downloaded from the main page, not a mirror.

Opened IE, examined the content on the hijack page.


--quote CookieRevised
If you encountered not-"family-friendly" things in the sponsor, then Patchou will kindly investigate
--


Well he wont have to look far, it's right there, the first column on the front page.     SHEEESH!
http://www.mysearchnow.com

Closed the broswer.

Examined registry and found hijacks as previously described

--quote CookieRevised
The uninstalling DOES work. Did you close the browser windows before you uninstalled the sponsor? Did you entered the security number in to special window when uninstalling? These are simple instructions which you must follow and are presented at you when you uninstall.
--

I refer you back a few lines .... closed the ONLY OPEN BROWSER.

Uninstalled Messenger plus .... 

Re-booted

Re-checked registry, ... 2 hijacks STILL in the registry, AND the comet cursor spy.

Opened a browser, immediately hijacked to www.mysearchnow.com

Repeated attempts to change the default home-page using the normal methods fail when a new browser window is opened.

Okay, ... all this on a completely new install, after having been on only 2 websites, one of which was microsoft update.

So no, it isn't nice and safe, and it DOESN'T uninstall.

--quote CookieRevised
But by all means, don't call us/him stupid, ignorant or whatever and don't blundly say that the sponsor is a harmfull piece of spyware without checking the facts...
--


I do beg your pardon, but if you read my mail, the 'stupid' comment was a quote from someone else 

... and given what I've just told you, how much fact checking would you like?


The comment I did make ....

"There's no-one so blind as the guy who doesn't want to see."

Is a juxta-phrase of an old Irish saying, meaning  ....

you can provide proof and good argument til you're blue in the face.  If someone isn't prepared to listen, he'll never see the point.

Which on that happy note, with the evidence in front of you all, I'm leaving the thread., I've made all the comment that needed making.

My point has been well made, ... and for all you die hard "It's harmless, honest" merchants ..... just look around the forum awhile, you don't have to look far to find all those people who AREN'T happy with their hijackings.

Best regards all  (Keep me in work for years to come  )

Eds (SK)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
"There's no-one so blind as the guy who doesn't want to see."

Is a juxta-phrase of an old Irish saying, meaning  ....

---

quote:

---

When you install and agree to the spyware, the web browser IE is solidly hijacked to mysearchnow.com.

Using the uninstall which Patchou insists works, in fact leaves the browser hijacked to mysearchnow, which continually attempts to reassert itself as the home page, requiring manual intervention to remove.

---

quote:

---

you don't have to look far to find all those people who AREN'T happy with their hijackings.

---

quote:

---

--Quote EvilSeph (on Patchou)
...and by including a sponsor, he can continue to distribute Messenger Plus! to the public for free.--

Therefore the price for development is ad bundling, as I said.

---

quote:

---

No, I make a living undoing virus and spyware damage, not uninstalling programs.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
I do beg your pardon, but if you read my mail, the 'stupid' comment was a quote from someone else 

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spy Killer
The first 5 items on the hijack page (mysearchnow) are:
Online Casino
Online Dating
Diet Pills
Web Hosting
Weight Loss

and goes on later....

Viagra

---

--Guido said
"don't let any moderator or developer fool you into thinking that this stuff is fluffy cuddly and nice".

Acording to an English-English dictionary, fool:
idiot, dummy; clown; court jester
which are synonims of stupid.

How's that for fact-checking?
--

Okay, so the pedantic answer to the pedantic answer is .....

Not great since I didn't use 'fool' as a noun.

But that's why its a waste of time persuing threads like this.

A computer engineer reports, under a controlled test, what a lot of other people are telling you, and rather than actually go check it out, .. it's lets get pedantic time.

There was a lot of good information for you to go on, ... mail me personally and I'd identify EXACTLY the registry entries for you that remain ... but no, ....   "it works okay for me so everyone else is wrong" (the blind thing!)

Instead of being constructive though, it's picking at entirely non-relative comment, ignoring the issue at hand and getting nowhere in the process, doing the users (and complainers) no good at all.

How about a slightly more constructive "thanks for reporting the effects, we'll run a similar test on a number of machines and see what happens".

This is DEFINITELY my last comment, .. I supplied you with FACTS, use them or don't, I don't use the plus patch, makes no difference to me.

Best regards

Eds (actually trying to help believe it or not, but banging his head against a brick wall)

Well Eds, thank you for reporting this stuff, I agree with some of them, disagree with some others. The uninstall does work, you'Ve proved it yourself. There's no such thing as "registry hijacks" btw, most complex software always leave some stuff in the registry that are completely harmless and can be considered as garbage take a hundred byte on your hard disk. The only real thing I see here is that the home page is not restored after an unisntall and I just emailed C2Media about it.

As for the sections at the left side of the search page, I don't see anythign wrong with them: these subjects are what is generating money and I've already made C2Media remove any explicit sex link in this bar. I'm happy as it is now and most people, even those who complain, don't seem to have anything to say about it either.

Last note: if the sponsor didn't uninstall properly, my servers would be under attack 24 hours a day, thousands of people uninstall it every day and we only get a couple of complains each week, that's pretty good I would say. If you want a point of comparison, install a software like Kazaa, it won't take you long to see that what I'm distributing with Messenger Plus! is a light and nice way to make a living.

Patchou i would just like to confirm that the SEX links on the search bar are deinently from messenger plus's sponor because i was in my friends house and i told him to get messenger plus and he insalled it and accidently clicked accept sponsor thing and now he has this search bar with a "SEX" link on it it is the same as the one soomeone posted a pick of

Yep, I've already replied about this in another thread. The sex links have been added by default in a new version of the bar distributed by the sponsor. I apologise for it, the situation has been taken care of, these links are no more.

didnt read the whole threat but as said in the other threat no one forced you to instal it

Sponsor