Is messenger plus spyware? - Printable Version
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Is messenger plus spyware? by deadxxgirl on 07-20-2005 at 06:07 PM
Ever since I downloaded messenger plus, my microsoft anti spyware program has recognized it as spyware and wants to remove it. I chose to ignore it but I've had a few minor problems since. My clock keeps setting to an hour behind whenever I start my pc, my internet browser homepage always says "bad gateway" no matter what I set my browser homepage to. I keep getting a heck of a lot of trojan viruses. Way more than usual. I got rid of messenger plus but it didn't fix any of these problems. So what can I do about this? I want messenger plus back but if it's spyware and it's going to screw my pc up with stuff like this I don't think that's the best idea.
RE: Is Messenger Plus spyware? by [MR] on 07-20-2005 at 06:07 PM
ya Microsoft antispyware does recoginize it has a software budler but it isnt spyware
RE: Is Messenger Plus spyware? by hmaster on 07-20-2005 at 06:07 PM
No it is not spyware, but it is bundled with adware which is optional when running the installer.
MS Anti-spyware does still think it has adware even if you clicked for it not to be installed 
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by mwe99 on 07-20-2005 at 06:33 PM
Messenger Plus! is NOT spyware. However, there is an OPTIONAL installation of some ad-ware. However as far as i know it does not install viruses or change your system clock. Possibly it could be something else.
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Tochjo on 07-20-2005 at 06:38 PM
quote:He is right there, no viruses or spyware, and the optional sponsor program is easy to remove (How to uninstall ad-ware/sponsor)
Originally posted by mwe99
as far as i know
As for Microsoft AntiSpyware, you can find more information in the following threads:
Microsoft's Anti-spyware Software...
Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
MS Antispyware says Messenger Plus is adware
Microsoft ANtiSpyware Beta1 - False detections (not only Plus!)
quote:A good clue that Plus! is not the cause of the problems
Originally posted by deadxxgirl
I got rid of messenger plus but it didn't fix any of these problems.
quote:You can safely put it back, especially if you do not choose to install the sponsor program. Good luck with your other computer issues though
Originally posted by deadxxgirl
if it's spyware and it's going to screw my pc up with stuff like this I don't think that's the best idea
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by mwe99 on 07-20-2005 at 07:23 PM
As your problems are sttill around, you might want to consider using a scanner such as Spybot or Ad-ware However DO NOT remove Plus! traces with this. Follow the instructions provided in the links from Tochjo's post
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by RaceProUK on 07-21-2005 at 04:35 PM
quote:All signs of a badly-secured PC, I'm afraid. You will want to run both a full virus scan and spyware scan (making sure both scanners are fully updated), removing anything you find. Since you appear to have removed Plus!, the sponsor should also have been removed (if installed initially), otherwise follow Tochjo's advice first.
Originally posted by deadxxgirl
My clock keeps setting to an hour behind whenever I start my pc, my internet browser homepage always says "bad gateway" no matter what I set my browser homepage to. I keep getting a heck of a lot of trojan viruses.
Once you've removed all the viruses and spyware, make sure you have a firewall installed, and that it's up to date. Scan all downloads for viruses, and regularly scan the whole PC for viruses and spyware (I myself do a weekly virus scan, spyware closer to monthly).
And of course, reinstall Plus!
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Philbee on 07-23-2005 at 03:12 PM
actually...i am not at ALL happy that ms antispyware flags messenger plus as adware, even withgout the sponsor! i just set it to ignore message plus permanently.
it seems the height of irony that Patchou has visited microsoft for business reasons, and YET ms antispyware still recognizes messenger plus as adware, even w/o the sponsor!
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by [MR] on 07-23-2005 at 03:46 PM
quote:it recognizes it as a software bundler
Originally posted by Philbee
actually...i am not at ALL happy that ms antispyware flags messenger plus as adware, even withgout the sponsor! i just set it to ignore message plus permanently.
it seems the height of irony that Patchou has visited microsoft for business reasons, and YET ms antispyware still recognizes messenger plus as adware, even w/o the sponsor!
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Philbee on 07-23-2005 at 03:51 PM
yes. that's true. i just find the crazy alarm it gives for messenger plus WITHOUT the sponsor very annoying and upsetting. i just set it to ignore messenger plus, and if there is any more alarms i will be more than happy to uninstall ms antispyware.
i should note that neither ad aware, nor spybot s&d recognize messenger plus as harmful.
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Patchou on 07-23-2005 at 05:19 PM
I suggest you let Microsoft knwo about how you feel on that subject. If nobody says anything, it will never change.
Thank you for the support .
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Philbee on 07-23-2005 at 06:03 PM
i'd be happy to!! just let me have an email address for them that deals expressly with ms antispyware and i'll send one off to them right away letting them know how i feel.
RE: Is messenger plus spyware? by Patchou on 07-23-2005 at 06:28 PM
You can try spyinfo@microsoft.com and the newsgroup at http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/defau...P=spyware&sLCID;us .