Kurgan Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 I recently installed DivX5 Pro and realized that in addition to the featured advertising it is loaded with spyware (files and registry entries that scan your system and send personal information to various advertisers for the purpose of sending spam/junk mail and getting demographics). Thus I would suggest those downloading it for viewing of the recently released JK2 videos should do the following: 1) Do NOT install the "Pro" version, instead install the other free version. or 2) Download a program like Lavasoft Adaware, which will scan your system and remove any spyware from this or other programs. It's a great free program which I use a lot, and it really comes in handy. Links: LavaSoft Adaware (spyware remover utility) http://www.lsfileserv.com/index.html DivX video decoders and players http://www.divx.com Kurgan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obi Kwan Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Thanks for the heads up Kurgan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valdarious Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Please dont take this as a flame or bad remark, but they do tell you when downloading the free-pro version that it comes with all that spyware. You are warned ahead of time before downloading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan Posted March 23, 2002 Author Share Posted March 23, 2002 I am pretty sure this only affects the new files in that "giga" series, FYI. Being "supported by ads" is one thing, sending personal information to their spam servers is quite another. Most people don't realize that this means they install spyware that scans your system. Hence why I posted about it. When I install a program and it has an ad banner that's fine, but I don't want it installing Gator and whatnot and running them. The videos play fine after removing all the spyware, btw. Kurgan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valdarious Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Good point... ACK, it installs Gator(the scourge of the internet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acdcfanbill Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 yea, i dl-ed the smaller version, because i dont need all the pro features... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necro Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 god i hate gator > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazilla Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Thanks for the tip, although I had already gone through my registry and deleted everything to do with gator/gain...no more spyware for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abomination5 Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 I used that ad aware thing you mentioned and every minute I still get 2 windows poping up I even deleted Divx! EDIT: Ok I just had to reboot and run Ad Aware again just for anyone eles having trouble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digl Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 thanks for that link Kurgan It found a lot of crap in my system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ps2maddenman Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Thanks I found around 75 items in my system too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoodlyGod Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 good god man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodster2003 Posted March 24, 2002 Share Posted March 24, 2002 i had 35 in the beginning. is there some way we can sue Gator for installing on our computers and putting files there without our permissionn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digl Posted March 24, 2002 Share Posted March 24, 2002 welcome Woodster2003. You probably accept it by clicking on "I Accept", wihtout reading the license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mormegil Posted March 24, 2002 Share Posted March 24, 2002 http://www.divx.com/divx/divxpro.php#versions Two Versions for Personal Users While we designed DivX Pro primarily for professional users, the software is available to personal users in two different versions. US$30. Personal users are able to purchase a personal use license for DivX Pro for only $30. What you get is exactly the same software that professionals license for commercial use. Given the advanced technologies and built-in tools included in DivX Pro, we think $30 is a pretty good deal. No cost ad-supported. If even US$30 is outside of your price range, there is an ad-supported version of DivX Pro that is freely available. You can download it for no cost, but you agree to install GAIN advertising software that occasionally pops-up targeted advertisements while you surf the web. (More information about ad support is available.) DivX Pro includes some of the world's most advanced video compression technology, and it is licensed by professionals of all sorts for a wide range of applications. But given the support DivX™ technology has always received from the user community, we searched for a compromise that would allow us to deliver the technology to personal users at a low cost. These two different versions give you the choice: either pay a low US$30 cost, or get an ad-supported version for no cost at all. And don't forget there's still the free version of DivX 5.0 available for download. ___________________________________________________ So by uninstalling the Gain advertising software, you're actually ripping them off and breaking an agreement. If you don't want the ads, download the free player or buy a license. Also, read this. I don't see the sense in warning people about Gain when the Divx people are being upfront with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argath Posted March 24, 2002 Share Posted March 24, 2002 As far as I know, disabling the adware disables the program's ability to encode video. I don't use the software so someone else will have to confirm or deny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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