Vitalize Now Flagged As Adware

[Kimera]

I recently have recieved some complaints from clients who use an interface editor we have in the back office of our web site. They complained it stopped working, they are getting virus warnings about the cab file as well as vtz3n.exe being infected with adware and accusing us of using adware in our products. I ran some tests of my own and got this

This is from AVG, I attempted to install Vitalize a new laptop through a our web site...


This is bad news as now, if this continues, the Vitalize platform will no longer be a valid platform for public use and it will continue to cause support issues for anyone who uses it, just like I am dealing with now.

Is there anything CT can do to fixs this. I am sure some jerk made some adware with MMF or something and now we all have to pay the price. I am already getting pressure from partners to remove the Vitalize platform and go with a technology we have just recently released in Beta but is not ready for prime time and I don't feel good about that at all.

What's the next step?

Thanks,
K

[NaeNae]

Do you get the same thing from V4? It looks like your using V3 and though, I am very new, just reged today, it looks like V4 is the latest.

PS
Hi K, it took some time but I am here now. hehe Just checking things out and had to give you a hard time.

Thanks

[xyzzy]

probably just being flagged through heuristic checks

maybe contacting AVG could help; i really don't see a reason why they'd intentionally flag vitalize as a potential malware vector since malware could just as easily be made in flash, java, and silverlight

[NaeNae]

What is a heuristic check?
Is Adware and Malware the same thing?

[Kimera]

What is a heuristic check?

Heuristic is kinda like fuzzy logic. Wiki says this...

Heuristic is a method to help solve a problem, commonly an informal method. It is particularly used to rapidly come to a solution that is reasonably close to the best possible answer, or 'optimal solution'. Heuristics are "rules of thumb", educated guesses, intuitive judgments or simply common sense.

In more precise terms, heuristics stand for strategies using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information to control problem-solving in human beings and machines.

Is Adware and Malware the same thing?

No, Adware is software that, in some form or another, produces ads on your computer for your to see and is a type of spy-ware. Malware is a group of programs such as a virus or a worm that can do damage to your system.

Good to see you made it here, I don't spend much time here but you can find some good info to help you get a better understanding of how to use MMF. If you have any questions you can try to give me a call as well.

Take care,
K

[NaeNae]

What does it matter if it is flagged with a heuristic check or a virus definition? Isn't either one an issue? Will the end user care or even understand why it's being flagged through a heuristic check or will they be more worried about the fact that they are getting the alert?

[Brandon]

What does it matter if it is flagged with a heuristic check or a virus definition? Isn't either one an issue? Will the end user care or even understand why it's being flagged through a heuristic check or will they be more worried about the fact that they are getting the alert?

If you are installing something that you may not know much about, and its coming back as adware, then yes, you should be very worried. The problem here is that of course Vitalize is not adware and AVG needs to be contacted about this.

[GSoft]

I hate antiviruses because of that. I just don't trust 'em. In fact, I don't use any antivirus AT ALL...
I only use the command console, I am my own antivirus :P

But really, this is a BAD issue... I hope it's solved soon.

[Kimera]

Brandon is correct and no the end user will not care one way or another. They will avoid it all together or they will call for support issues depending on the need of the user and the program.

Until then I just have to deal with the calls and find another way to allow my customers to edit their interfaces without vitalize. It's not easy to convince the public that the program is not adware when the virus program they have run, and trusted, for years is telling them it is and AVG has a large market share that is growing. The Vitalize name is not known enough for the public to trust it over their virus software.


K

[NaeNae]

Ok so how does this effect me as a client of yours K?
Do I need to be worried abuot anything at this point?
Are we going to loose the editor in the back office?