Webhelper Alert: Messenger Plus is Lop.com Options

[webhelper]

Webhelper Alert: Messenger Plus is Lop.com

As I was going thru listings to generate a new file list, I found an enteresting thing about the messenger plus:

On the outside and the standard whois shows really nothing but it is the IP that gives them away. msgplus.net:66.220.17.175, This is one of the NetRanges for C2Media aka lop.com.


MsgPlus lop com
Quebec
Quebec, Quebec H0H0H0
Canada
Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: MSGPLUS.NET
Created on: 14-Dec-02
Expires on: 14-Dec-05
Last Updated on: 15-May-03
Administrative Contact:
P., Cyril cyrilpaciullo@hotmail.com
Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.RACKSHACK.NET
NS2.RACKSHACK.NET

IP:
msgplus.net:66.220.17.175
CustName: C2 Media Ltd
Address: P.O. Box 1113
City: Shalimar
StateProv: FL

C2Media NetRange: 66.220.17.0 - 66.220.17.255

Also installs Ad Intelligence
http://www.msgpluszone.com/forums/misc.php...ion=help&hid=10

Messenger Plus! comes with an optional sponsor program. Installing it will help keep your favorite MSN Messenger add-on alive. If you do not wish to support the developer, you are allowed to refuse and proceed without installing the sponsor. PLEASE READ THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND PRIVACY POLICY CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THEM. THIS IS A CONTRACT AND BY INDICATING YOUR ACCEPTANCE, YOU ACCEPT ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND THE APPLICABLE PRIVACY POLICY AND WILL BE PERMITTED TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND THE PRIVACY POLICY, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE. End User License Agreement This End User License Agreement ("Agreement") governs use of C2 Media Ltd.'s ("C2") software product known as lop.com

msgpluszone.com:66.98.252.17 (Support forum for msgplus)
What really links them also is the ending of the EULA:

For general support please email support@lop.com. For comments or concerns about a website that is promoting this software please email affiliates@wrn.net with all pertinent information

wrn.net is the lop.com site for affiliate members.

Creators Profile:
http://msgplus.mybboard.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=10
patchou.com:66.98.198.21 (Creator of Msgplus)


So anyone who installs msgplus will get lopped!

Additional Reading:
http://www.geeknewz.com/board/index.php?showtopic=1413

[Moore]

Hi Webhelper, this is something ive been arguing about with many people , who refuse to accept that its a dodgy program.

I was seeking further information on this program , while helping my forum members clear out their hijacks and the forum moderators of Messenger Plus swooped on this post of mine at Wilders.org and they claimed the sponsor program was easily avoidable :
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=30511

Still they get hundreds of complaints a week according to Patchou, which he ignores of course , since he has a stickied guide somewhere on the forum that everyone is expected to know about before they install the program , not to mention he expects people to ditch their AVG Antivirus as it sets of "false alarms"

Patchou is basically making his money from the less technical users who never bother to read eulas or dont have any idea about the additional spyware and how to remove it once its installed, i think only the lucky ones will ever find help to get their systems cleaned up.

This post has been edited by Moore: May 31 2004, 06:28 PM

[webhelper]

Hi Webhelper,  this is something ive been arguing about with many people , who refuse to accept that its a dodgy program. 

I was seeking further information on this program  , while helping my forum members clear out their hijacks and the forum moderators of Messenger Plus swooped on this post of mine at Wilders.org and they claimed the sponsor program was easily avoidable :
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=30511

Still they get hundreds of complaints a week according to Patchou,  which he ignores of course , since he has a stickied guide somewhere on the forum that everyone is expected to know about before they install the program , not to mention he expects people to ditch their AVG Antivirus as it sets of "false alarms" 

Patchou is basically making his money from the less technical users who never bother to read eulas or dont have any idea about the additional spyware and how to remove it once its installed, i think only the lucky ones will ever find help to get their systems cleaned up.

I read your link. To me this whole thing boils down to a few simple facts:

1. msplus is using the lop.com servers which means lop has control over them since lop holds the purse strings.
2. Lop.com has never been able to be trusted so what is to stop them from silently updating everyone with their adware which is using the random naming of files now and may not be found as easily.

3. Since I can show Shamash as starting out in warez and porn, would you buy something from them or from a reputable source.

Bottom Line: It is up to the consumer whether they want to take the chance on the security of their personal informaion and privacy by using what could turn on them later on or not use them. I only have one thing to say further and if a user states they never had a problem with the software but now need our help in removing it, they had better not complain as they knew full well what was to happen. It is the new users I want to warn so they can then make their choice.

[Guest_PegLeg_*]

Messneger3 update is even worse it trashes your explorer and is virtually criminal. Is this a genuine Microsoft update or have they been infiltrated. It is pure garbage.

[Guest_oz1cz_*]

Is this a genuine Microsoft update or have they been infiltrated. It is pure garbage.

MSN Messenger is a Microsoft program, and it works nicely.

Messenger Plus 3 is not a Microsoft program, and - unless you're very carefull - it installs a lot of malicious software on your computer.

So the answer to your question is: No, this is not a genuine Microsoft update, because Messenger Plus 3 is not a Microsoft program.

[Guest_cyberqueer_*]

Version 3 absolutley sucks. If you decide not to take the option of the 'sponsor program' then Messenger Plus won't install.

IT IS CRIMINAL, This program seems to have a reputable reputation (so far) in the web-users world) let's turn that on it's head and expose this nasty peice of software for what it really is.

[webhelper]

Version 3 absolutley sucks. If you decide not to take the option of the 'sponsor program' then Messenger Plus won't install.

IT IS CRIMINAL, This program seems to have a reputable reputation (so far) in the web-users world) let's turn that on it's head and expose this nasty peice of software for what it really is.

Remember that now the creater of the software is listed as a partner in their secure software inc. in Florida state corp database which means Lop owns them lock stock and barreel and can do what they want..

[Guest_Guest_Oscar_*]

[quote=webhelper]Also installs Ad Intelligence
http://www.msgpluszone.com/forums/misc.php...ion=help&hid=10[/quote]
Also installs Ad Intelligence??? what installs Ad Intelligence? that site? what has that page got to do with anything?

[quote=webhelper]msgpluszone.com:66.98.252.17 (Support forum for msgplus)[/quote]
msgpluszone is NOT the official support forum for Messenger Plus!

[quote=webhelper]What really links them also is the ending of the EULA[/quote]Yeah, DUH!!!
That EULA is the one from the optional sponsor that comes with messenger plus. That is NOT the EULA from messenger plus!

[quote=webhelper]wrn.net is the lop.com site for affiliate members.[/quote]Yeah, DUH!!!
Why do you think it is called "a SPONSOR agreement"? And isn't a sponsor an affiliation?

[quote=webhelper]So anyone who installs msgplus will get lopped![/quote]If you mean "if anyone who installs the OPTIONAL sponsor that comes with msgplus will get lopped", then yes. HOWEVER, you can very easly opt out of the sponsor install and NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING, not a single bit!, will get installed that has ANYTHING to do with Lop. You don't believe me? Did you ever tried it and tested it out with decent file and registry monitors?

[quote=Moore]and they claimed the sponsor program was easily avoidable[/quote]Yes it is, see previous reply and also see:

second option. Check that and be amazed that you still can install Plus! without the sponsor...

[quote=Moore]Still they get hundreds of complaints a week according to Patchou, which he ignores of course[/quote]* "Hundreds a week"? In true numbers that is more like 1,5 complaints a week on average (yes I keep statistics). Also note that that means 1,5 out of thousands who install it each week (with and without the sponsor)!
* "according to Patchou"? Where did he say that? Again something you completely made up.
* "which he ignores"? If you even took 5 secs to read the threads with these complaints you will see that they are NEVER ignored!

[quote=Moore]since he has a stickied guide somewhere on the forum that everyone is expected to know about before they install the program[/quote]No, they are not expected to know about it. What is expected is that you read the title "Sponsor agreement" (and not "msgplus eula"!) and the EULA of the sponsor which is very clear that it is about adware and that, if you don't agree, click on "I REFUSE"...

[quote=Moore]Patchou is basically making his money from the less technical users who never bother to read eulas[/quote]Did YOU ever conducted a real survey of who installs the sponsor and if they did it by "accident" or not? Well, I did, and I can tell you that the less technical user is exactly the one that READS the EULA. It is the people who think to know what it is who skip it in 1 second and don't read it. And you only know what an EULA exactly is when you have somewhat experience with installing stuff I would imagine, but apparently not....

[quote=webhelper]1. msplus is using the lop.com servers which means lop has control over them since lop holds the purse strings.[/quote]Lop has no control what-so-ever over msgplus! Note that it is the other way around. Patchou has a stripped down package of Lop in his msgplus program. Again, did you ever tried to verify what the package really contained? So, you don't know what the sponsor in Plus! exactly does. All you know is the word "Lop" and with what it is associated (which is, I granted, not much good). But newsflash to you, they do have different packages to offer and they are even willing to strip down the smallest package even further. Of course this comes with a pricetag, the money generate by this heavly stripped down package is very low. Yes, that's called bussiness.

[quote=webhelper]3. Since I can show Shamash as starting out in warez and porn, would you buy something from them or from a reputable source.[/quote]Shamash has NOTHING to do with msgplus and vice versa! The Lop sponsor package comes from Lop, the msgplus program comes from Patchou, which clearly seperates both things. But, if you don't trust it, that's your right, then don't install the sponsor. Or even don't install msgplus. But keep your facts strait...

[quote=webhelper]It is up to the consumer whether they want to take the chance on the security of their personal informaion and privacy[/quote]There is NO personal information collected and/or send at all. Again, this shows that you don't know what the sponsor really does...

[quote=webhelper]It is the new users I want to warn so they can then make their choice.[/quote]Well, warn them. But warn them with strait facts:

* msgplus does come with a sponsor program
* this sponsor program is adware and comes from Lop
* if you don't want to install it, then you can opt out on the sponsor agreement screen.
* you can still install msgplus without the sponsor and absolutely nothing will get installed from the sponsor (heck, the sponsor package isn't even extracted from the setup)
* if you accidently installed the sponsor, you can easly remove it by uninstall msgplus.

[quote=PegLeg]Messneger3 update is even worse it trashes your explorer[/quote]Msgplus doesn't do anything with Windows Explorer, nor with the Internet Explorer.

[quote=PegLeg]Is this a genuine Microsoft update or have they been infiltrated. It is pure garbage.[/quote]Msgplus has nothing todo with Microsoft, other then that it runs on a Windows platform.

[quote=cyberqueer]If you decide not to take the option of the 'sponsor program' then Messenger Plus won't install.[/quote]Absolutely not true. Click the "I refuse" option and you will see that you still can install msgplus.

[quote=webhelper]Remember that now the creater of the software is listed as a partner in their secure software inc. in Florida state corp database which means Lop owns them lock stock and barreel and can do what they want..[/quote]again, Lop owns jack ****. Patchou can do whatever he wants, if he decides to dish Lop and switch to another company, then he has all the right to do so.




Edited out Foul Language. Please watch what you put in your post.

This post has been edited by GoonMan: Sep 29 2004, 07:54 AM

[paperghost]

Read the below thread for some interesting info with regards to what messenger plus does OUTSIDE the terms of its worthless EULA.. More LOP fun and games. The creator of MSG Plus will soon get the message as more and more people stop using his program.

http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=...cade133133bff08

[Guest_Guest_Oscar_*]

Again, I can see NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING, that hasn't been explained a thousand times before....

Yes, Plus! does contain an OPTIONAL sponsor. It is a very stripped down adware-only version of LOP. But if the poster of that message has read the setup screens of Messenger Pus! properly he would have seen that he could easly opt out and choose not to install the sponsor. (How many times must this be said and how many screen shots must one post to let people understand this???? see sshot in previous post)

If the poster of that message would have uninstalled Messenger Plus!, he would have noticed that the sponsor would have been uninstalled also. And that would only take him 5 minutes to do.

Furthermore, Patchou greedy????, If he was greedy then he wouldn't give the user an option to choose to not install the sponsor. If he was greedy, he would include a spyware package. If he wood be greedy he would make his software not freeware but let people pay $100 for it. If he would be greedy he wouldn't spent time in upgrading his software but would sit on his *ss doing nothing enjoying the money. If he wood be greedy he wouldn't regulary give prices to his users....

[paperghost]

I'm quite sure the EULA doesn't mention anything about LOP inserting itself into an end-users trusted zone.

[Guest_pleb_*]

Hey.

I'm running MsgPlus! right now and It's fine if you refuse the spyware. I personally like it, but like ALL "freeware" I'm rather dubious and I keep an eye on it .

Do watch out for the plug-ins, however . These are undoubtedly the potential source of other problems. I personally only use Patchou's own plugs and the writing plug. I wouldn't even reccomend using these to other people, but I haven't had a problem.... yet.

I also use this at work (IT support techs <irony>LOVE</irony> me), but wouldn't be as comfortable running it on my home computer.

Call me paranoid, but my personal view is anybody that puts all their eggs in one basket and doesn't have a separate, cheapo computer for 'Net stuff these days is foolish. Don't connect anything to the internet that you can't fix or format for yourself!

[Guest_sad sack_*]

Messenger Plus is lop, to be sure. I installed it with the spyware, duh, running through the installation going yes yes yes- so impatient, and so dumb.

Now that I have the lop crap, how do I get rid of it? Lava soft wont get it, nor will Spy Ferret (even though they claim to) nor spyware blaster nor NoAdware. I've spent $100 on anti spyware progs, to no avail.

oy. Any advice appreciated. (OTHER THAN "don't install spyware" )

ss

[paperghost]

Yeah, starting with don't install No-Adware!

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

[mitch]

one are two small suggesions and they are free


spywareblaster
and IE-SPYAD

free take no resorces and work !
click my signature, go to newbee oldie page
scroll down to "spyware tools"
do my three musketeers

( have download sites and install/setup how to's )

[Guest_Me_*]

Messenger Plus is lop, to be sure. I installed it with the spyware, duh, running through the installation going yes yes yes- so impatient, and so dumb.

Now that I have the lop crap, how do I get rid of it? Lava soft wont get it, nor will Spy Ferret (even though they claim to) nor spyware blaster nor NoAdware. I've spent $100 on anti spyware progs, to no avail.

oy. Any advice appreciated. (OTHER THAN "don't install spyware" )

ss

Messenger Plus! is NOT Lop....
Messenger Plus! comes with an optional sponsor which is from Lop....
a big difference there...

Anyways, you don't have to buy any special programs at all. Just uninstall Messenger Plus! (windows config window > add/remove programs) and the uninstall procedure of the sponsor will be executed also...

If you tried to remove the sponsor before with programs such as ad-aware, S&D, etc. the possebility is big that you have crippled the uninstall procedure of the sponsor. In order to fix it you should reinstall Plus! WITH the sponsor (to fix the uninstaller) and rightafter uninstall Plus!...

Make sure you follow the onscreen instructions while uninstalling (closing every browserwindow (otherwise the toolbar can't be uninstalled) and entering the validation number of the uninstaller)

[Guest_nadirah_*]

Do not touch messenger plus at all, Patchou is up to no good since he has links with C2 media's LOP.
It is entirely up to computer uers to decide their privacy rights.
I say, dump messenger plus. Patchou is a bad guy who supports spyware. Don't fall for patchou's trick.
Uninstall messenger plus unless you wanna have spyware on your computer.
Fight spyware, don't support it.

Don't support patchou! Better heed my advice and uninstall messenger plus.

[Guest_tss68nl_*]

I uninstalled msgplus after accidentally leaving the sponsor program on when installing the update that had been nagging me for weeks.
Surprise surprise, the shitty IE bar that was added by the sponsor option doesnt go away. Yes, all my browsers were closed at the time of uninstall, no other programs were running, and yes, I did restart....about 3 times already.

Saying uninstalling msgplus removes the sponsor program is just utter bullshit. Does anyone have a link to a program that will rid me of this C2 / lop shite? Or am I facing another full reinstall?

[CalamityKen]

tss68nl, welcome.

Please read where I have helped remove the parasite:
http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php?showforum=17

[Guest_jtw_*]

Get the facts

http://www.msgplus.net/getthefacts.php