hrm.. I just looked into the program, Sphax is using a cheapo freebie installer that does in fact install third party (potentially malware) software.
Looks like Sphax doesnt care much for the well being of his fans... interesting.
Update: The installer is in fact malware. I ran it in a protected situation, it wont even allow you to cancel the installer or decline any of the "extra software" (there's a ton of them too) without closing out all of the programs in task manager. It tries its damnedest to ram 4-5 total programs down your throat.
If Sphax knows about this, he's either a moron, or a total d**khead.
That is what happens when people get greedy. Or maybe he just did not know.
My guess is the installer used to be clean, and how it works is this:
- Owner makes free installer with their software
- "Installer file" the user downloads isn't actually the pack, or even the installer.
- User runs the "installer" (that's not actually the installer yet) and it downloads the latest copy of that freebie company's installer.
- The now finally actually-downloaded installer does it's thing, and installs the owner's software.
Now, this is where is gets tricky, because the company Sphax used got all greedy, and now their installers are full of malware/bloatware/garbage. So when users install the "installer" to eventually install Sphax, it prompts them with a ton of malware install requests.
But this installer is a nasty one, it even goes as far as refusing to let you hit "deny" or "cancel" on almost everything. It just sits there open, the only buttons that work are "accept" (to install the malware). You can't even X out of it. I had to CTRL+ALT+DEL and close it in the task manager.
What makes it worse, is because of how it's setup, your virus scanner/malware detector wont even detect anything wrong when the user downloads the "installer"... because before the installer "installs the installer" to start installing the owners software (ugh, confusing!) it's technically a clean file.
So hopefully this isnt how it's always been, I hope this is something "new" and sphax will be smart enough to remove the installer, if not, he's either been spreading malware for who knows how long and somehow no one noticed, or is about to have a ton of angry fans to deal with.
I'm having a giggle right now since his own website claims the following:
Quote from Sphax"s Webpage »
My Anti-Virus warn me about a malware. Is it risky?
Not risky at all.
The installer can be detected as a Trojan or a Malware by some Anti-virus. This is a false positive due to the fact that the installer can download sponsored apps. All the sponsored apps are optional and, if installed, can be easily uninstalled (with "Uninstall a program" option in Windows).
All of our programs are free of spyware, malware, trojans and viruses.
BDcraft.net will NEVER intentionally install any virus or trojan on your computer.
My guess is that, since the website says you can decline everything, that the company making the launcher either got tired of people declining all the time and changed without announcment.
Good lord Norton! It's not my place to judge other's opinions, but Norton is a nightmare I'll never go through again. I personally like Avast.
I actually don't like it much either. It didn't catch some scareware that was on my PC (Downloaded by a certain program that was recommended by the school for a project . Had to get malewarebytes to get rid of it). I only used it because it was a 60 day free trial that came with the new computer.
Anyway, it seems, the more popular a pack gets, the cheaper the file hosting seems to get, then you get this. Has someone contacted Sphax about it?
One of 5 zillion reasons I only put SixtyGig as a direct download off my site or Curse. I don't trust all these file services, they're all pretty low-brow when it comes to advertising ethics.
I just visited the site, and the installer isn't up for download...at least, I couldn't find one.
Also, there were special instructions on the "PureBDcraft Auto-installer" page that tell you to "Uncheck the option if you don't want the app or let it checked to support PureBDcraft."
Of course, there were more than one of these kinds of options listed before the installation process occured.
It secretly installs the following:
Mods I work on and maintain:
TabbyChat | Mine Little Pony
My Blog
There's an option for an installer. Don't click it.
Mods I work on and maintain:
TabbyChat | Mine Little Pony
My Blog
hrm.. I just looked into the program, Sphax is using a cheapo freebie installer that does in fact install third party (potentially malware) software.
Looks like Sphax doesnt care much for the well being of his fans... interesting.
Update: The installer is in fact malware. I ran it in a protected situation, it wont even allow you to cancel the installer or decline any of the "extra software" (there's a ton of them too) without closing out all of the programs in task manager. It tries its damnedest to ram 4-5 total programs down your throat.
If Sphax knows about this, he's either a moron, or a total d**khead.
My guess is the installer used to be clean, and how it works is this:
- Owner makes free installer with their software
- "Installer file" the user downloads isn't actually the pack, or even the installer.
- User runs the "installer" (that's not actually the installer yet) and it downloads the latest copy of that freebie company's installer.
- The now finally actually-downloaded installer does it's thing, and installs the owner's software.
Now, this is where is gets tricky, because the company Sphax used got all greedy, and now their installers are full of malware/bloatware/garbage. So when users install the "installer" to eventually install Sphax, it prompts them with a ton of malware install requests.
But this installer is a nasty one, it even goes as far as refusing to let you hit "deny" or "cancel" on almost everything. It just sits there open, the only buttons that work are "accept" (to install the malware). You can't even X out of it. I had to CTRL+ALT+DEL and close it in the task manager.
What makes it worse, is because of how it's setup, your virus scanner/malware detector wont even detect anything wrong when the user downloads the "installer"... because before the installer "installs the installer" to start installing the owners software (ugh, confusing!) it's technically a clean file.
So hopefully this isnt how it's always been, I hope this is something "new" and sphax will be smart enough to remove the installer, if not, he's either been spreading malware for who knows how long and somehow no one noticed, or is about to have a ton of angry fans to deal with.
My guess is that, since the website says you can decline everything, that the company making the launcher either got tired of people declining all the time and changed without announcment.
Looks like it was kind of right.
Good lord Norton! It's not my place to judge other's opinions, but Norton is a nightmare I'll never go through again. I personally like Avast.
Anyway, it seems, the more popular a pack gets, the cheaper the file hosting seems to get, then you get this. Has someone contacted Sphax about it?
"And with that, POW! I'm gone." ---Lord Crump
I actually don't like it much either. It didn't catch some scareware that was on my PC (Downloaded by a certain program that was recommended by the school for a project . Had to get malewarebytes to get rid of it). I only used it because it was a 60 day free trial that came with the new computer.
Avast all the way!
One of 5 zillion reasons I only put SixtyGig as a direct download off my site or Curse. I don't trust all these file services, they're all pretty low-brow when it comes to advertising ethics.
16GB Corsair Ballistix X 850 TX Corsair 80+ Gold PSU Windows 7 Home Premium Gigabyte Z87X UD5H MOBO
Also, there were special instructions on the "PureBDcraft Auto-installer" page that tell you to "Uncheck the option if you don't want the app or let it checked to support PureBDcraft."
Of course, there were more than one of these kinds of options listed before the installation process occured.
Here's the info: http://bdcraft.net/purebdcraft-auto-installer