I did a search and found no other posts on this.
File name: C:\Program Files\Date Manager\DateManager.exe
Malware name: Win32:Spyware-gen. [Trj]
Malware type: Trojan horse
VPS version: 000725-0, 03/19/2007
Got that and went ahead and moved it to the chest as recommended. Didn’t have much time just then.
Now I’m wondering if there really was a problem, or is that one of them thingys called a False Positive, which seems to be an oxymoron?
Thank you.
DateManager.exe is an installer for Gain Adware. If you didn’t run the program you should be OK but look in ad/remove programs for any of these
DashBar
Date Manager
EntryPass
Gator eWallet
GotSmiley
Offer Companion
Precision Time
ScreenScenes
Weatherscope
WebSecureAlert
Uninstall any that are present.
You could also scan with the free version AdAware to double check
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/download_and_buy/product_comparison_chart.php
You could also check the offending/suspect file at: VirusTotal - Multi engine on-line virus scanner I feel virustotal is the better option as it uses the windows version of avast (more packers supported) and there are currently 30 different scanners.
Or Jotti - Multi engine on-line virus scanner if any other scanners here detect them it is less likely to be a false positive. Whichever scanner you use, you can’t do this with the file in the chest, you will need to move it out.
I sure do appreciate the feedback, folks. But may I ask another question? That Date Manager file has been on my computer since 2002 and neither Symantic (right spelling?) for two years and now Avast for two years ever complained about it. Why would it suddenly be a problem?
I noticed Precision Time on that list and I know I’ve got that. It’s a problem?
Are there any “safe” programs to replace those two?
Well, more than one question.
Appreciate the help.
It is not unusual to see some detections after VPS updates, something that wasn’t on the previous VPS is now included. avast is primarily an anti-virus, but more and more adware and spyware signatures are being included and this may be what has happened.
Sorry I can’t offer offer any suggestions, I have never used these programs and don’t know what they do.
Hi Many :
The reason is that Symantec/Norton and Avast are primarily
antiVIRUS programs that are expanding into the trojan-detection
area; detecting AND quarantining "trojans, worms, keyloggers, etc "
is best done by a program that SPECIALIZES in that arena, such
as the "trial" version of AVG Antispyware from www.ewido.net
and/or the FREE version of SUPERantispyware from
www.superantispyware.com .
Well, apparently the “Gain Network” is being shut down
http://www.claria.com/gainexit/
But I would still get those things of your computer.
I appreciate the responses, but I need to dig a little deeper here, if you can put up with me.
DavidR, you indicated you didn’t know what these programs did, and that’s a good place to start my thoughts on this whole “malware” topic.
All I ‘gain’ from Date Manager is a little image on my utility bar that tells me the date. I know I can use the program as an electronic schedule book, but I don’t.
Precision Time, on one of the lists of not good to have, just keeps me informed of the time. Of course, I could use it for other things similar to Date Manager, but I don’t.
Now here’s where I don’t understand. How is the information they can gather from what I do on my computer any more intrusive or harmful than the information Yahoo! or Google are accumulating.
I had a list of search words that came from my computer and compiled by Yahoo! published on the Net by Google.
As far as I’m concerned that is a real nasty thing to do to me, but I haven’t heard anyone wanting to quarantine Yahoo! or Google search engines and the info they store.
What exactly is it that Gain did/does that is any worse than what Yahoo! or Google do?
Oh yes, thanks for the links, mauserme.
Now if I could just get some attention on a problem for partially blind folks that I posted about over in the General Topics area I’d feel like I might have done some good here in my lastest foray into Avast country, rather than just bugging everyone with my stupid questions.
Spyware typically transmits an identifier specific to your computer everytime you connect to the internet. This identifier is static so you appear as the same person each time. Since this is installed on your computer there is also the potential for private information being transmitted with it.
With a search engine the data collection function is not on your computer so its capabilities are limited. And you can control this to a degree without extraordinary efforts. For example, delete cookies when you’re done browsing. And depending upon the type of internet connection you have your IP address will change everytime to establish a new connection (this is common). So Google or Yahoo know you for a short time but during the next browsing session you are a new person to them.
Some people even recommend a search proxy whereby you are completely anonymous. This is one
I don’t bother with this, though.
If you right click the bottom right corner of your display, click properties, and put a check mark in Show Clock, Windows will show you the date and time too.
But if you trust what Claria says about ending their data collection then its not a big deal. Each of us accepts different degrees of risk according to our tastes.