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Post by AvengersWraith on Apr 7, 2004 9:18:00 GMT
I've been sharing my PC with some of the neighborhood kids, allowing them to gain experience with PCs.
With the help of my Mom I now have a second PC and have started restricting the kids to the second PC, but not soon enough. I just found software called WildTangent, although it appears to be a legitimate and safe corporation based on a brief view of their website, I have no idea who they are or what they are for.
Having just redid the harddrive on this PC twice and the other PC once I do not wish to do that unless WildTangent is a problem.
I can get McAfee free because I have MSN Premium, but McAfee causes problems with NWN, don't really want to go through that again.
On the positive side, I finished formal enrollment with Devry University today (the 6th dependig on your time zone and sleeping habits) and in 4 to 6 years I might actually know what I am doing. Until then, does anyone know anything about WildTangent or where I can go to verify that my PC wasn't made vulnerable to a disreputable person or persons by the kids?
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Post by Cella on Apr 7, 2004 9:23:03 GMT
I think you are alright.
WildTangent
Overview
WildTangent is an online gaming plugin bundle from Wildtangent.com, containing the WildTangent Web Driver, WildTangent Multiplayer Library, WildTangent Updater and WildTangent GameChannel. WildTangent is downloaded as a standard setup .exe file or installed by an activeX control from the vendor's web site. WildTangent is also bundled with Games from WildTangent and some WinAmp plugins. Some Internet Service providers such as Verizon and Bellsouth install the WildTangent software. Some desktops from HP comes with WildTangent installed. AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 bundles WildTangent Multiplayer Library, Updater and WebDriver without any notice in the End User License Agreement. Based on polls done at this web page, 70% of users are unaware that WildTangent is running on their system. Symantec support has more information about how WildTangent is installed on the users' system.
WildTangent has an automatic update feature: "The WildTangent Updater, or wcmdmgr.exe, as it is known to your computer system, is our automated support engine; because of the complexity and rapid innovation of cutting-edge 3d hardware these days, we have decided on an automated solution for supporting all the latest hardware out there. The Updater allows your computer to periodically check in with our servers and see if an update is available. If so, it downloads and installs the new version without interrupting your work." Source You can configure WildTangent not to update automatically.
WildTangent use Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) when connecting their servers in order to identify your installation of the software. These GUIDs are not shared with any third parties according to the vendor.
The vendor's write-up about the information WildTangent collects: "We collect certain system configuration information through our software such as your computer's CPU speed, video card configuration, and DirectX version. We use this information to adjust the way our games and other software work in order to ensure their best possible performance. We also collect certain product usage information through our software such as the number of product launches and time spent playing a product.
Our software includes a service that updates the GameChannel menu located in your Start folder with the latest games. Periodically, your computer will connect to our servers to receive the latest product updates. New product availability information or messages are transparently and unobtrusively transferred to your computer in the background, allowing you to review them later when you're off-line. You can access these product updates in the Game Channel folder of your start menu." Source
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Post by Cella on Apr 7, 2004 9:24:52 GMT
Uninstall procedure
Uninstall WildTangent from "Add/Remove Programs" in the Windows® Control Panel. The vendor is also offering uninstall instructions. If you run into problems uninstalling, please contact the vendor for support. Note that you will not be able to play WildTangent games if you decide to uninstall.
WildTangent's uninstaller leaves a large number of files in the "%WinDir%\wt\" folder which can be deleted manually after running the uninstaller.
Note: %WinDir% is a variable (?). By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\WINNT (Windows NT/2000).
Manual removal
Please follow the instructions below if you would like to remove WildTangent manually. Please notice that you must follow the instructions very carefully and delete everything that is mentioned. In most cases the removal will fail if one single item is not deleted. If WildTangent remains on your system after stepping through the removal instructions, please double-check by stepping through them again.
Start the registry editor. This is done by clicking Start then Run. (The Run dialog will appear.) Type regedit and click OK. (The registry editor will open.)
Browse to the key:
'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run'
In the right pane, delete the value called 'wcmdmgr', if it exists.
Exit the registry editor.
Restart your computer.
Delete the following directory and its content: %WinDir%\wt\
Note: %WinDir% is a variable (?). By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\WINNT (Windows NT/2000).
Problems uninstalling? Click here.
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Post by Spathic on Apr 7, 2004 12:41:21 GMT
latest version of adaware will toast wildtangent...
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Post by Silentus on Apr 7, 2004 14:32:11 GMT
My prefered options for avoiding problems in the future and cleaning exisitng spyware and virii (both these are freeware for the private sector): Spyware: AdAware by Lavasoft Virii: AVG by GrisoftIn both cases, I generally do not leave the resident applications running, but instead to cleeup sweeps on scheduled timeframes, although if you know when the kids are going to be on, it might be wise to start them before hand. Good luck!  |
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Post by Spathic on Apr 7, 2004 14:53:01 GMT
but do not think you will be 100 percent safe... I use Spybot S&D as well as adaware and Avast AV along side My ISPs AV filtering... I still have to root out some spyware manually (PowerReg Scheduler is not det4ected by either Adaware or spybot when i run them, so i had to toast it manually...)
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Post by Silentus on Apr 7, 2004 15:00:48 GMT
Yeah, nothing is perfect. One thing I have found to be more sucessful also with spyware is if it doesnt stay gone after it is cleaned - try it in safe mode. Again, this may not help, but it is a simple next step. Ive had it work in a couple cases. Some of these buggers are really insideous. Frequently some reg editing is needed - once I had to even remove all rights (even from the SYSTEM account) to the offending reappearing file to be able to stop it. I've never lost yet, but the programs are a good and easy place to start Obviously the best bet is responsible internet behaviour. |
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Post by AvengersWraith on Apr 7, 2004 20:05:42 GMT
Thank you all for the information.
I see the installation of the strange new software may have been my fault, I just recently added AIM because Microsoft's Messenger is unstable on my son's PC.
There is so much more to learn and so few living brain cells left.
I do and don't want to learn about spyware and filtering software.
My long term goal is to eventually be able to work as a system administrator primarily out of my home.
As far as the neighbors go, I think of them as my own kids. I want them to learn self discipline, respect for others and avoid things that can lead to trouble. For the most part the older ones are there and the younger ones still need reminding.
I frequently look to see what is on the PC screen and what they are doing (if I spoke spanish I could even tell what they are talking about). I explain to them, repeatedly, that surfing the internet can be dangerous and they need to be very careful about what they do on it.
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Post by Silentus on Apr 7, 2004 23:48:59 GMT
That brings up another security hole. Lately Instant messangers have been being exploited as a means to get undeisred access to your system. This is ESPECIALLY true of Microsofts Messenger. Personally I dont use them at all - but thats me. Just one more thing to be aware of.  |
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Post by AvengersWraith on Apr 8, 2004 0:01:18 GMT
Internet security is pretty much like locks on household doors, they are meant to help keep basically honest people from becoming out-n-out thieves. If someone wants in and knows what they are doing there is always a way. |
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Post by ride on Apr 8, 2004 1:30:20 GMT
That brings up another security hole. Lately Instant messangers have been being exploited as a means to get undeisred access to your system. If you are concerned about this aspect check out GAIM: gaim.sourceforge.net (at least I have not heard that GAIM is susseptable to these attacks... but the vunerablities could come from the underlying OS and not the apps themselves (but I have not persued these latest 'sploits so you guys may have more up2date info )) GAIM uses the same protocols (of course)... but it is not code from MS or AOL or Yahoo even for that matter... I trust it and use it. I have to IM for my job (I do essentially what your "goal" job is Avenger, I'm an SA that works mostly from home ) so I had to find another way to IM without using the "mainstream" programs ,add to that that I mostly use linux for my everyday computing and you can see why I chose it... plus it has the added benifit of being able to access ALL the IM systems with only one program... and 'net security is a joke esp with todays, what?, 30+ year old protocols... the only "secure" system is one that is powered down.... even then it is not "secure" it's just safer... I long for the days when you had to use a real FTP client or a real NNTP client or a real email client... days without popup/popunder ad's days where you could DL something from a message board and you were 100% sure that progam was what it said it was back to the days when spam was just a badly tasting canned meat product and you are right Avenger if someone wants it off your system, they will get it... no firewall, NAT box or viri protection is going to stop them either.... |
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 8, 2004 14:03:33 GMT
Actually if he's receiving messenger popups he doesn't have a firewall, or it's not configured correctly. That alone will guarantee messenger popups and makes you vulnerable to a host of worms like the blaster worm. Of course these rely on your system being unpatched as most of these vulnerabilities are known, fixed exploits. However, I'm not waiting for the day when they work off of know, unpatched exploits. Granted a firewall is not going to make you 100% safe, but security is a practice, not a setting. And yes, if someone who knows what they are doing REALLY wants in, there getting in. However, most people don't know what they are doing and are just using canned attacks they didn't create. Anyways, a do you have a firewall setup? My basic setup for stopping this stuff is a hardware router/firewall, google toolbar for a popup blocker, Ad-aware for spyware, and symantec AV. With google toolbar, I do not see popups, and it has never blocked something I want to see. The hardware firewall protects me from IP based attacks like worms and messenger popups because I don't have internet IP and the ports they hitting on the router are not forwarded to anything. Again, it's not perfect, but I have not seen a virus or popup in quite some time. |
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Post by Preedy1978 on Apr 8, 2004 16:52:03 GMT
You can stop the messanger pop-ups by de-activating them in the Windows Toolset options. The messages are actually advertisments for companies, and its actually legal. (although darn annoying). As for a firewall...I use the Windows version firewall, and thats all....I DONT like Norton, because IMO, its far too buggy and limiting for what i like to do with my PC. Having said that www.Symantec.com has all the latest news, and patches for any bugs/viruses that do manage to squeeze onto your compy, and these fixes are free too. |
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Post by addicted2rpg on Apr 8, 2004 19:11:09 GMT
Friends don't let friends run AIM. Use GAIM at gaim.sourceforge.net It runs in windows (as well as every other operating system known to man). You should also be able to talk to your MSN friends, as it suppports the MSN protocol as well. It installs easy and has no spyware or evil things inside. It is from a very trustworthy group of people. I use to MUD with the team leader Rob Flynn back in the old days and he is a great guy. You can trust rely on Gaim |
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Post by AvengersWraith on Apr 9, 2004 1:06:28 GMT
There is so much I need to learn, last time I went to school for computers an 8088 with a math co-processor was the hottest thing (1989).
I do visit windows update weekly for those security patches.
Will give Devry a go, see what I can learn, classes start on the 26th.
I'll check into those companies and the freeware when I don't have a headache.
I do appreciate all the information and advice. I don't feel stupid when I need to ask a question, just a little more ignorant than I want to be, but as my 6th grade teacher told the class stupity is forever, ignorance can be remedied.
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"There are only three sports--mountain climbing, bullfighting, and motor racing--all the rest being games." Ernest Hemingway 
