Microsoft AntiSpyware vs Messenger Plus!

19 Aug, 2005 at 2:11pm ET Article published in Tech

MSN Messenger fan site Mess.be has reported that Microsoft AntiSpyware is now detecting the popular add-on for MSN Messenger ‘Messenger Plus!’ as spyware, regardless of whether or not the adware bundle that comes with Messenger Plus! is installed.

If you follow AntiSpyware’s recommendation to remove Messenger Plus! it will simply delete the Messenger Plus! uninstaller so you can’t uninstall the add-on and also as a result will stop you from being able to remove the bundled adware, if you installed it.

Patchou, the author of Messenger Plus! has had a hard time getting a response out of the software giant, so he’s started a Petition for Messenger Plus!.

View: Sign Petition for Messenger Plus!
View: Messenger Plus! Add-on

Messenger Plus! bundles adware (C2 Lop) which is optional during the install stage. This recent change means users are advised of a threat coming from “msgplus.exe” even though this exe contains no spyware or adware. If you remove the “threat” using Microsoft AntiSpyware this fails to remove the C2 Lop adware and removes the Messenger Plus! un-installer. In simple terms this means if you have the spyware installed, Antispyware doesn’t remove it but removes the un-installer of Messenger Plus so you can’t remove it afterwards!

I think Microsoft should correct this fowl up certainly, but I can’t say I’m overly sympathetic with Patchou on this issue. If you use the devils tools, you have to accept that by some you’ll be seen as the devil.

Source: Neowin

Comments

19 Aug 2005 ~ 6:33pm airbornflght is messenger plus spyware?? I have friends that use it. I thought it was just a plugin.
19 Aug 2005 ~ 10:15pm yagga sounds to me like Microsoft is trying to trick people to install their spyware over others, great idea Microsoft!
19 Aug 2005 ~ 11:29pm Dexter Messenger Plus is not spyware, however, if you do not pay attention to the installation, it will install spyware on your system:

http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19537

Like many small software programmers, the programmer of Messenger Plus (Patchou) has opted to use a "sponsor" program to earn some money for his efforts. It just happens that this sponsor program is a prolific piece of adware that has resorted to some pretty rotten hijacking methods.

Either use the paid version of Messenger Plus, or make sure to click the "I refuse the sponsor program" option.

As for MS Anti-spyware, I'm still not a fan. This does not go a long way in converting me...

Dexter...
20 Aug 2005 ~ 9:16pm BLuKnight I like Messenger Plus. It has a few nice features that I enjoy. I signed the petition.
20 Aug 2005 ~ 11:56pm mmonnin I signed it as well. I like some of the features that come with MSN Plus. I upgraded to 7.0 and the latest version of MSN Plus and now I cant find the option to not display the add. It seems to have disappeared.

I would also like to get rid of the tabs as well.
21 Aug 2005 ~ 1:57am BLuKnight

mmonnin wrote:

I signed it as well. I like some of the features that come with MSN Plus. I upgraded to 7.0 and the latest version of MSN Plus and now I cant find the option to not display the add. It seems to have disappeared.

I would also like to get rid of the tabs as well.

I've always liked the MSN Universal Patcher. If the link doesn't offend anyone, it can be found at http://www.msgshat.com/downloads/447. (replace the a in shat with an i).

Enjoy.
21 Aug 2005 ~ 10:56am Spinner

mmonnin wrote:

I signed it as well. I like some of the features that come with MSN Plus. I upgraded to 7.0 and the latest version of MSN Plus and now I cant find the option to not display the add. It seems to have disappeared.

I would also like to get rid of the tabs as well.

Patchou removed the option not to display the ad' as he was trying to buddy up with Microsoft. Seems to have worked a treat.

You can get rid of the Tabs by going to the MSN Messenger Options (Tools - Options) then security, then check the box "This is a shared computer so don't show my tabs".

Cheers