Absoblogginlutely

I could never get the thing working, so gave up on it ages ago.

There is no spyware in the latest versions Messenger Plus!, only OPTIONAL adware. Man you guys should get rid of the just-keep-clicking-next habit when installing programs, because you can not install the adware by unchecking a check box in the setup program.

phil 123 ur a big lier!
i was so unlucky to install thats **** and have stuggled alot to remove it again!
no option was to leave it out
uninstall only removed messenger plus, spyware remained!
its like a virus but harder to remove.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM MESSENGER PLUS. U HAVE NOW BEEN WARNED!

Well, thecrow, all you have to do is go to control panel, add/remove programs and then remove the damn thing. Aint too hard, eh? Also, although im not too sure if this is true, when you remove it that way, it also says that the 'sponser' program is removed too, if you were stupid enough to install it. Anyway, i might try to find an older version that doesnt even have the possibility of having spyware. Failing that, i think that ill just not get the sponser program and just take a litttle risk. Besides, a combination of Ad-Aware, SpyBot Search and Destroy and SpySweeper will pick up most stuff :D

you can't read English, do you? there's a page that looks like a License Agreement page with a tick that writes "I agree" ticked by default, just uncheck it. If your version does not have this option, get the latest version from http://www.msgplus.net/

Phil_123 "the big lier" (notice the spelling mistake)

Msn plus by patchou n all other new versions suck!There is no clicking next habit it is there and irremovable even after uninstalling msg plus!Damn Patchou if u needed a sponsor I could have asked Uncle Bill Gates to sponsor you or even give you a job as MSN developer.

:'( can some1 help me i dont know what's the name of the files (spyware) i had 5 more icoons on my desktop all shitty thing and 2 toolbars 1 in windows and 1 in explorer i removed the icons and the toolbar in windows but i cant remove the toolbar in explorer does some1 know how 2 remove a toolbar that orks with explorer ??? (now i hate msn plus :()

It is a pain in the ass I Know but its possible to remove by downloading Adaware from Lavasoft
http://lavasoft.element5.com/support/download/

Make sure you download all updates and then scan your system and your troubles will be gone.

hope this helps you all,
Allan

erm.. you can install messenger plus WITHOUT the adware. just untick "I agree" during install. Phil was right :)

yep, Messenger Plus! has spyware alright and a shed load of it. It's a good program, just a shame they sold out!

Go and download SpyBOT (which is updatable online all the time for latest removals)
http://www.safer-networking.org/

you need to choose custom install, auto install installs the spyware

i think that the guy who said messenger plus sucks

must have no friends to talk to

I think it´s crazy if we can´t use MSN Messenger plus without get a lot of spyware! I think that sucks! Dont use it! My friend told me "MSN Messenger Plus + Your PC = Spyware on your PC"!

well last time i reinstalled msg plus because people told me to uncheck the damn thing.. well next time my comp rebooted while i was out cuz its been on for like 2 weeks... i came back and the damn thing was installed AGAIN

Just recently (half an hour ago) both of my computers harddrives suddenly went corrupt. I am strongly suspecting a virus has done this, as too harddrives dying at the same time sounds like 2 much of a coinsidence! I am not blaming Msg Plus 4 this, however... even though I just installed it yesterday, I just want to know if anybody knows the file names of the spyware that show up in the Task Manager... because just before my computer died I noticed two 3 files there that I didn't know where they came from. Tik4.exe (I think... it may have been another number), runner.exe, and another file name that started with l (and some other random letters).

I basically just want to know if these were MSN Plus's spyware or something else more evil... thanks in advance

p.s. I still think msg+ is a great program... just make sure u don't install the spyware like I did... and realized straight after clicking next!!! (GRRRR)

oh yeah... those two harddrives were in the same computer

I doubt msgplus did that to your computer Matt - sounds more like a virus or possibly a motherboard failure (that would do it). For more information on the spyware that is (optionally) bundled, go to http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/june-2003/3.php for more information.

"Tik4.exe" - this file is most certainly generated by msgplus. If you remove the spyware/adware components from your system msgplus creates a file (different name every time but always of the form xxx1.exe) which will access the internet and restore the spyware.

msgplus will never darken my desktop again.

Cookie - perhaps you'd like to come over and uninstall the software put on the machine by not unchecking this box - and do it all in less than 5 minutes?
I used Search&Destroy on the computer which found loads of files and deleted them. Then AdAware 6 then found about another 50 files and I deleted those. There were STILL links on the browser, desktop and favourites pointing to files installed by this "nonspyware perfectly harmless" software (this by the way was AFTER trying to uninstall the ad component itself which would not work as I did not have appropriate permissions to do so (despite having a) permissions to install it and b) local admin rights on the box

I fell for the trick, clicked too fast
now im stuck with this shit

i used the latest ad-aware, but i still have a toolbar in explorer, and it also changed the page explorer shows when you type an url wrong

does anyone know to remove that?

ow i found out best thing after using ad ware and stuff like that is

to re-install WITH spyware, then uninstall completely and the re-install WITHOUT spyware

thanks pplz ......really msn plus works without adware if u untick the I Agree !!
greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt !!!

if you is using windows xp, try using system restore to take you back before messenger plus was installed.

Hi I did not have time to read all comments about msn here but I think you dont install adware it wont work for all features like camera, sending files etc. I other words it has spyware to pay for the messenger being on or something like this.

anyone knows how to remove the toolbar from internet explorer though? i uninstalled msn plus and it's still there

Before finding this page I was even thinking of installing Messenger plus on my computer, but now I´ve changed my mind.

I am currently using "Trillian Pro" to chat. For those who don´t know about it, with this program you can chat as if it was the actual messenger. It is as good as it, free, and much simplier. You won´t be able to have a picture of yourself while you chat, or to connect your webcam, but you will make sure you are keeping your computer clean. No icons in explorer, no adware, no unwanted files running on your computer, no spyware at all.

If you´d like to try it: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/

I`ve got a question. What does the spyware does at all? What are they able to see from my pc?
Do they know then what I've got on my pc?

The people who say it's OK to install lop.com via Messenger Plus either

a) do not realise they are infected
b) are in league/ work for messenger plus

Conclusion;

install if you don't care about you privacy or security of your computer.

I would like to say NOW that MSG+ is NOT a spyware program, it is a matter of UNCHECKING the box before clicking next, and for any r****ds who did check the box, that is not my problem. Maybe you shouldn't try to install things so quickly.

P.S Does anyone know the URL that MSG+ ADDWARE, redirects you to if you type in the wrong URL, because if you do i'll hack it and shut it down so as you won't have these problems!

HAPPY?

This is what you need to remove the annoying toolbar !!!http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/utils/ToolbarCop.exe

If you are reading this, it’s probably already too late. This version is loaded with spyware. Try “CWShredder” to get rid of it. The additional features aren’t worth the hassle – believe me. Most of the good stuff is already in Messenger 6 anyway. Shame. The only thing hot about msgplus is their mascot.

DON’T LOAD MESSENGER PLUS

OK – So I was probably a little unfair. I still stand by my last statement, but it looks like you can stop the garbage being loaded up. Read the small print! Shame you can only remove it by un-installing the whole program – a fact which is documented clearly on their web site. I support a man’s (or woman’s for that matter) right to make a living. And to support a hot girlfriend. But I’m done with msg plus for good. Once bitten.

Regards, good luck and Caveat Emptor.

I was wrong – they are dicks. Even when you delete their PoS software you still get pop-ups (i.e. even when you simply go to google).

DON”T LOAD THIS SOFTWARE – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

msn plus is a spyware program,and it's better to think twice before clickin " I Agree". It has the ugliest wnad worst spyware after GAIN . STAY AWAY fro this parasite program for your computer's sake.

Hello People :)

im surprised that this old message still got new replies.
I just wanted to tell u that the OPTIONAL sponsor that comes with plus! is adware and is NOT spyware (very different things, u know...)

Anyway, im here to ask u to read this thread: http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8543녘
if u need help uninstalling the sponsor.

u can go to the official forums too: http://msgplus.mybboard.com if u have any coments about the program itself or the sponsor package.

Just remember that is not spyware but adware, and its OPTIONAL.

Thanks

IT DOESN'T GO WHEN YOU UNINSTALL IT! TAKE HEED!

Hello I just wanted to say: My girlfriend installed a piece of s**t self names MSN plus. Well she have no knowledge concerning spywares, therefore after couple of days browsing she got popups and her google bar was disappearing, instead she got some awful blue bar.
To get rid of this bugging idiotic stuff it took me 10 minutes... but there are 10 minutes lost, 10 minutes i could have used for more interesting activities...
Don't lose your nerves and time, don't use MSN plus... Better idea, don't use MSN! Use trilian! Or ICQ, if you aren't happy with that try IRC :p
Ooops 3 minutes lost writing this useless advice people will read once too late. ;)
Anyway it's useless to reply... I'll never look at this topic... bye!

when i installed msn plus it came with a trojen and a dialer accourding to my anti virus "panda 2004" it also had a porn downloader which would lead em to beleve it is now an iligal bit of softwere that should be stamped out.
to get rid of the tool bar it ad uo need a program called hyjack this

MSN Plus is a pain in the ass. Its affliated with lop.com the nets most annoying spyware after. If you have no problem with this being on your computer then good luck to you all. If MSN plaus is so great, then why is it not endorsed by Microsoft!!

My opinion it stinks. And i have read various threads on forums about how crap it is. Novice users think its the bees knees. But the real pc user like myself know the dangers of such shite programs and the danger they bring to a pc cos they contain spyware. Treat this program the same way you would treat gator.

DONT HAVE EITHER ON YOUR SYSTEM!

My advice on spyware and my anti-spyware force includes: Ad-Aware 6, Spy Bot Search & Destroy, and Bazooka Spyware Scanner. The reason why i have 3 is because they can see different types of spyware that others cant. Ad-Aware & Spybot automatically remove spyware for you, whilst Bazooka scans then has a link on how to delete melicious spyware from your comp via the registry.

If you dont take my advice or other peoples on spyware, you know who to blame when your computer messes up!!!

its just fucking OPTIONAL spyware just untick the "i agree" box and then you wont get any spyware and still get those great features

This whole thread is absolute bulls**t. Some of you are so nieve, and are so sure of your opinion.

Plus! is a great program without the sponsor, and it adds a lot of great things to MSN. That is, for people who know how to install it.

I've followed the production of Messenger Plus! since the early versions, and let me tell you, it's far from spyware/adware or whatever other jargon you wanna call it.

Yes, it comes with an OPTIONAL SPONSOR program that you can install if you want. And yes, the box to install it is checked by default... But you can assume that everything you install will be perfectly fine... Whatever you put on your computer is your responsibility, isn't it?

I've been using Messenger Plus! for ages now and I've never got any form of adware/spyware/virus/trojan from it. It's really not that hard, people! Can't you click on a checkbox? Can't you read things before you install something onto your computer?

Why isn't it endorsed by Microsoft? Because although it looks like a really sophisticated program, it's actually made all by one guy, a decent guy who started the whole thing really out of good faith. He put the sponsor program in to make a bit of money. He didn't make the sponsor thing, it was made by a company and he just included it in his software. I can see that it was probably a pretty bad idea to put it in there, because it ruined the reputation of his program (Because of stupid people who always jump to conclusions). However, it DOES ask you if you want it to be installed or not and if you blindly click next then that's your fault! I hope you all learn from your mistake and READ stuff before you install it.

** DON'T INSTALL THE SPONSOR OPTIONS FROM MESSENGER PLUS **

For those who are just new to this Lop sponsor shit, no it's not a virus... But an open door for it (A better chance of clicking anything that will install one in a near future.)

---
* Removing Lop client sponsor from Messenger Plus AFTER INSTALLATION -->
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?s=c741f1277525dc3a2d17ce8e6a7b4916&showtopic=659&st=0&#entry9509

---
* If you thought it was a good idea (for some reason) of installing the sponsor option AND after a few days your Norton anti-virus, Ad-Aware or Microsoft Update doesn't update properly (or looks like running but doesn't find the latest definition file) OR/AND some websites are now displaying "The page cannot be displayed".... YOU GOT A BROWSER / SYSTEM HIJACK

Here's some help --->
http://www.spywareeliminator.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=644

---
* If you are running Windows XP and are using the system restore feature... Restore a version prior to "when everything went wrong" ...AND READ THE FIRST LINE AGAIN!

---
* If you are just joining us and don't know the hell is going on here ... Here's some help --->
http://www.absoblogginlutely.net/mtblogarchive/003072.php

MSN Plus + Your computer = Bung computer.

Don't download it. I like to sit back at laugh at all my friends who did.

I did what everyone else seems to have done. Clicked too fast and installed the Spyware on my computer that came with msn plus. But i dont plame MSN Plus for this because it was optional and I didnt take the time to read properly.

Ill just explain what I did to correct this. First I uninstalled msn plus. The toolbars and spyware remained so I used LavaSoft AdAware and that cleaned most of it. I also used Spybot Seach and Destroy and that cleaned the rest of it. One of the toolbars remained so I used toolbarcop as indicated above and that got rid of it.

Now my computer is completely clean and I plan to reinstall MSN Plus properly this time. Its a great program with cool features. And I learned my lesson today about clicking too fast when installing programs.

Peace

Hi MSG Plus defenders.

Are you guys MAD?? Are you joking, or what?!!

If you install a piece of code, and it does something COMPLETLY different than it promised, this is OK, because it was OPTIONAL?!!!!!

HELLO, are there anyone who is not a complete idiot here??

I've never had problems, yet. So I'm not really sure as to what you guys are actually arguing about. Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, SpywareInfo's Online Scanner, CWShredder has detected no trace of spyware (I hope its true though) and my computer is running fine.

So, what i'm here to say actually is:

Make sure its MSN Messenger Plus! that is causing this. And if you are that stupid to install their sponsor program... Good for you ;)

hi, i now have a stupid toolbar thats starts with IE and a number of icons on my desktop that i cannot delete. I tried Spybot but it didn't remove it. Tried Startup Machanic to stop it from loading at startup but failed too. Need help!!! Please email me if u got any programs that successfully removed the stupid adware by MSGPLUS. Thanks all!!

From experience, don't download or install Messenger Plus. Okay, you could choose not to install the sponsor, but in my opinion, this isn't clear enough during the installation process, so most bypass it - it wouldn't be worded in the way it is if they didn't want you to install the bloody spyware. There is no defence for spyware (and this bloody well is!) and putting crap like they have on PC's should be outlawed....NOW.

I recently re-installed windows on a colleagues PC - she had it a day before her daughter downloaded messenger plus and now the thing's f****d once again. This is a piece of sh** software and should be stopped in it's tracks.

Don't download it, it's rubbish, simple as that.

PCs are a lot like ourselves in that if we've never been hit with a virus, we wont gain immunity to it. I found that a good virus is just another challenge, and I learn just how to eradicate the crap from my system. I keep a close watch on what processes are running on task manager.

Check your numbers with no extra software running, see how many processes there are. When u get extra unrecognized stuff showing up in there, you know its time to scan.

Its also good to know your way around startup/shutdown procedures. Logging off of windows should shut down all your software and just leave the basic windows stuff running. I call that a "short boot" which gives many software apps the impression that u rebooted because it fires the secondary startup (login) sequence.

Understanding how all this works, you will find 4 distinct stages at which apps can be fired. Most vulnerable is the final stage, which is after you've logged onto windows. This is where exploitable junk like IE can launch unwanted stuff to run in the background. The 3rd stage at which the crap can fire is during the windows login which is where it loads your personal profile: what goes on your desktop, whats in startup folder, bla bla bla. the 2nd stage is as windows is loading, before u have a chance to do anything, you'll have nasty stuff running in the background already.

The worst stage is if its integrated deeply enough into your system that it'll launch even if windows loads into safe mode. Usually, if all else fails, you can go into safe mode and run Spybot/AdAware and clean stuff. If it cant be caught at this stage, Spybot MIGHT be able to integrate itself into the startup and freeze the start sequence and scan to eliminate any apps that might fire.

I guess what I am trying to say is, if you can prevent ad/spyware from launching, it wont be of any harm. The way the crap works now, if it launches once, it will spawn another instance each time you shut it down. So know your startup procedures well, I use Ace Utilities to check whats in my startup, and msconfig if I need a second opinion. If I still find instances poping up, I hunt it down in the registry. Of course, I usually trust AdAware and Spybot to snag the junk for me.

Don't be paranoid of this ad/spyware internet terrorism. Those who try to avoid it at all costs are the main people getting blindsided by it. I drive my PC all day long over all sorts of terrain, and once in awhile I see its dirty and I clean it. I dont try to drive around broken glass or mud puddles, cuzz I can change a tire AND use a waterhose.

BTW, you cant use StuffPlug NG unless you have Messenger Plus installed. So yeah, I will always have Plus installed and running.

Oh yeah, another good thing to do: Know how to format. The more efficiently u can do that, the less you'll worry.
1st sign of trouble, reboot
2nd sign, troubkle persists, scan and eliminate
3rd sign, PC still not acting right and looks like its getting worse, Grab favorites folder, saved configs (application data), ftp .ini files, MSN Recieved files, downloaded software install files, etc and sort them into 700 meg folders. Burn or transfer over network to another PC. If you have enough space and the storage PC is reliable, its a good idea to sdo this regularly.

At this point, I can do a complete restore and be back in a charoom in 25 minutes. Less if the phone doesnt ring ;) If necessary, installs, registering plugins and configs can be redone in 24 hrs. Good maintenance is a MUST if u want to be prepared for the worst. Those who fear malicious crap have the most to lose by formatting, mainly cuzz they are just unprepared.