StopBadware.org is a non-profit watchdog group which has started a battle against malware, realising its first reports this week.
The anti-spyware group has made its first steps in this battle by attacking Kazaa program and three other applications: Mediapipe, SpyAxe and Watterfalls.
According to the group’s reports, Kazaa, the well-known file-sharing program is badware. Although the program advertises itself as being spywarefree, it is not completely true. During the uninstall process it does not completely remove all components, it interferes with the computer use and also makes undisclosed modifications to other software.
SpyAxe fails to uninstall completely. It also turns out to be difficult to exit without purchasing the full version of the product and also interferes with computer use and modifies other software without disclosure.
In what MediaPipe is concerned, it does not fully disclose what is installing. It also reserves the right to charge users even after the software is uninstalled. Waterfalls 3 from Screensaver.com actually has components generally considered spyware. The program is bundled with an actual Trojan called New.net which gives the right arbitrarily install software on a user’s computer as it considers feet.
The group is a result of the Harvard Law School’s Berkamn Center for Internet& Society and Oxford university’s Oxford Internet Institute initiative. It also has the support of some major companies like Google, Lenovo and Sun Microsystems.
Movieland and their mediapipe software just don’t seem to be going away. Another new variant of the mediapipe software is now out there and many of the removal articles on the web do not take care of it. Here is a free removal tutorial that was updated two days ago:
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/removemoviepass.php
Now that you have what you need to remove it, we can share some background with you on how you got infected and what it means.
You installed the Mediapipe software from Movieland – knowingly or unknowingly – when you clicked on an advertisement on a web page. Once the software is installed on your PC, you have a 30 day trial to use their services. If you do not cancel your subscription – yes you have a subscription (read the fine print next time!) – you will be auto billed for a month of service.
If you refuse to pay, the pop ups will become more and more persistent until they are simply constant. If you refuse to pay your monthly membership fees, Movieland reserves the right to bill you for an entire year of service ($388 USD or more).
If you don’t pay that, they reserve the right to send you to collections and that could hurt your credit.
With that out of the way… You MUST cancel your account with them FIRST by CALLING THEIR TOLL FREE NUMBER before you get this stuff off your computer. Failure to cancel first could result in a collection phone call or two. when you call, DO NOT give them any additional personal information. If they don’t know who you are they can’t send you a bill, so why would you tell them who you are?
With that said, good luck and avoid any advertisement that offers free videos or movies. They are NEVER free and they are ALWAYS trouble.