View Full Version : Whatever You Do, Do Not Install "WebShots"!!!!!!
Prey521
03-20-01, 05:01 PM
That piece of crap has Spyware in it and now that I uninstalled it IE 5 keeps on crashing :mad:
Prey521
03-20-01, 05:08 PM
Some stupid little proggy that Auto changes your desktop wallpaper for you with images from there website. You can also choose different themes and crap. I shoulda known something was up when it asked me if I wanted to install Gator along with it, sheesh, its crashed like 15 times today when IE rarely, if ever, crashes on me, this is total BS. That'll be the last time I take any SW suggestions from my GF :mad:
[ 03-20-2001: Message edited by: Prey521 ]
Prey521
03-20-01, 05:10 PM
Hey Glc, do you have ICQ? You're like one of the only Old School SG'rs that I have never chatted with :)
Hey Prey,
I have been using Webshots for about a year without any problems. I haven't noticed any spyware on it. I see now that they offer gator and something else when installing it. When I originally installed it a year ago it did not offer those. However, I just downloaded it again for the new PC I built and noticed the Gator thing. I choose not to install Gator and the other thing. Just the Webshots program and haven't had any problems with IE. Did you install Gator and that other program along with Webshots? Maybe if you did thats where the Spyware and crashing problem is coming from.
Regards,
DIDS
[ 03-21-2001: Message edited by: DIDS ]
andrewe77
03-21-01, 01:05 AM
If you go to http://www.lavasoft.de and download their Ad-aware 4.0 it will remove all traces of known spyware. You could try it out and see if it detects this "Gator" and completely removes it.
I found 2 pieces of spyware on my machine!! :eek:
Prey521
03-21-01, 01:48 AM
Yeah, I used Ad-Aware and it deleted the Gator Spy and some other strange one that I did not recognize that I believe to be associated with Webshots.
Originally posted by Prey521:
Hey Glc, do you have ICQ? You're like one of the only Old School SG'rs that I have never chatted with :)No, not currently. It's a long story. :)
Prey, Can you expand on "some other thing" for everyone's benefit.
T I have used Webshots for a long time too and had no problems with spyware.
It was also mentioned that there is a way to optout of these.
Webshots is a great program with some of the best photography around and their downloadable has a lot of built in options for screensaver and desktop.
Shame they had to screw with itand add the spyware.
I always check at www.spychecker.com (http://www.spychecker.com) for software that might contain spyware before installing it. However Webshots is not listed and I have sent them an update asking for it to be included if it contains Gator.
Is this installed without your knowledge. If so...shame!
We will see what becomes of the heads up.
Originally posted by Scoot:
I always check at www.spychecker.com (http://www.spychecker.com) for software that might contain spyware before installing it. However Webshots is not listed and I have sent them an update asking for it to be included if it contains Gator.
Is this installed without your knowledge. If so...shame!
We will see what becomes of the heads up.
It gives you the option to install Gator. You can choose not to which is what I did. It does "call home" for to check for new pictures that have been added to the database. You can however disable it from doing that in the settings panel. If you see a flashing camera in your systray then the 'call home' is enabled. If it is not in the tray then it wont "call home".
Prey521
03-21-01, 01:52 PM
Well, I deleted the "some other thing" spyware, but I will reinstall everything and find out waht it was. IE is already jacked up so reinstalling aint gonna hurt.
Prey521
03-21-01, 02:15 PM
Okay, here it is. Now I uninstalled it and then reinstalled it WITHOUT Gator and the one highlighted Spyware is still referenced in Ad-Aware, so I dunno........
http://home.nyc.rr.com/porf/SpyWare.jpg
Ok... Now I AM puzzled (just a bit).
Firstly, thanks for going to the trouble you have gone to in downloading it again.
You said you downloaded it WITHOUT "Gator yet there it is on the screenshot so it is there again.
Ok, now we have a name for the "some other thing" we can find out what it it about and what it wants to do with the info it collects and the Help pages in the LavaSoft entry in your Program list says...quote:
Web3000 www.web3000 (http://www.web3000)
They analyze the number of users who visit particular pages, and the amount of time they spend there.
They also analyze the incoming addresses for the purpose of statistical analysis of their user base.
The Web3000.com web site also uses the standard "cookie" mechanism to customize their web page.
If you are using NetSonic Internet Accelerator or NetSonic Pro while visiting Web3000.com,
NetSonic may identify you as a NetSonic user and supply unique information about your NetSonic
registration to their site.
By using their Web site, you consent to the collection and use of this information by Web3000.com
If you are interested in which applications are using Web3000 technology
you can search our database.
Unquote.
[ 03-22-2001: Message edited by: TheCroc ]
Prey521
03-22-01, 03:35 AM
Actually, that pic was taken before I uninstalled it the first time when I initially installed it WITH Gator. And I don't have any Web3000 proggies on my PC :confused: :confused:
The one great advantage you have is that you
1... Know it is there.
2... You have the tool to remove it. ADAware.
3... Webshots will run without both spyware programs.
Webshots is a great site. They have the right to put spyware on their downloads.
We have the same right to remove it from our systems.
Remove them with ADAware and use Webshots as you intended to before you found the spyware.
Can I ask that you adjust the heading to read "Webshots has crap spyware on it's downloads". There are thousands who use it and love it. JMHO
I redownloaded webshots and AdAware to my new PC. I installed just Webshots and then ran AdAware. It came up clean. no spyware detected. I really think the spyware has to be from something esle other than webshots.
Great news for all!!!
If the spyware didn't come from them where do you think it did come from? Check through your history file.
iceman3233
03-26-01, 02:12 AM
OMG! Gator is the MOST annoying thing I've ever had on my computer! I had it a while back. If you tried to remove it, 2 more would install!
:confused: Read the thread, particularly the last few where WebShots may not be to blame..
Yeah sure, Gator causes problems but let's not lay blame or accuse unless we are sure of the facts.
I am sure the list that Ken posted a while back that should have been bookmarked by everyone will have a link to the site that lists programs loaded with spyware.
My bad, I didn't bookmark it then... but I will,Ken. Honest, Ken... I will really. ;)
Thanks for all the information Prey...you "Da Man"....lol
Thanks
Storm90
03-28-01, 10:38 PM
Prey are you able to remove it from the reg? With out hurting the program? If so I would just remove it. ;) As far as the explorer you possibly be able to repair it. I hope if not you will have to reinstall it. Any way good luck and I hope you get things back to normal. Plus thanks for posting about it being spyware. This will help alot of people.
:D
[ 03-28-2001: Message edited by: Storm90 ]
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.