Re: FirstLook.com/about.aspx UNSUBSCRIBE

From: Dan L (gunshyguy@hotmail.com)
Date: 09/01/02 

From: "Dan L" <gunshyguy@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 21:38:16 -0700

http://www.firstlook.com/about.aspx

Description of how you got it, etc...

"blink" <blink@blink.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.17da95625cb50971989748@msnews.microsoft.com...
> Quite a number of people are getting a mysterious application installed
> by a company called FirstLook.com without their foreknowledge or
> permission. It is getting installed as a application, and is listed in
> the control panel Add/Remove Programs section as "FirstLook Portal".
> Each day when an infected machine is started, IE opens and displays
> their ad. People have reported difficulty in uninstalling it; other
> programs getting disabled; and data being transmitted over broadband
> connections when it appears.
>
> There is a thread here discussing the FirstLook.com invasion:
> http://www.computing.net/networking/wwwboard/forum/8981.html
>
> No one has been able to figure out where it comes from; but one likely
> candidate seems to be that it's in one of the recent Microsoft service
> packs. I sure didn't install anything other than the urgent SP's from
> Windows update, including Win2K sp3, the IE update that was available
> last week, and the Media Player one. I've had this for about a week, and
> have not installed anything since it appeared. I use Norton AntiVirus on
> all email and it does a weekly scan of the system.
>
> I've written to FirstLook.com and all they say is "The Firstlook Service
> was delivered to your computer when you downloaded any number of
> popular, free software applications via the internet". I don't think
> so.
>
> I believe that the application that FirstLook.com is installing without
> permission represents a new low in intrusive behavior by a firm. And it
> really worries me that this sort of rubbish is going to become part of
> our lives. Even if the FirstLook Portal is not installed by one of the
> Microsoft service packs, at the very least Microsoft should contact
> these idiots, determine the mode of distribution, and either patch the
> exposure or in some other way find a way to put the brakes on it.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: FirstLook.com pop-up application; installed via SP?
    ... It is not put in by a Microsoft Service pack. ... your Web browsing behavior. ... I sure didn't install anything other than the urgent SP's from ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: FirstLook.com pop-up application; installed via SP?
    ... FirstLook.com attempts to run 7 java scripts and several ads when you hit the site, or you went to another site tied to firstlook. ... Install and update with the reffile.zip removes all known ad related links ... > candidate seems to be that it's in one of the recent Microsoft service ... > Microsoft service packs, at the very least Microsoft should contact ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: FirstLook.com pop-up application; installed via SP?
    ... I guess you have the inside scoop on the service packs, ... And I agree with you, if they did install it themselves, MS should ... It is not put in by a Microsoft Service pack. ... >> I've written to FirstLook.com and all they say is "The Firstlook Service ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • RE: I cant install Media player 10!!!
    ... You have to go enable this Microsoft service ... called "Cryptographic Services". ... Can go to administrative tools, ... > try to install the thing it says that the program has not passes Win XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsmedia.player)
  • FirstLook.com pop-up application; installed via SP?
    ... I sure didn't install anything other than the urgent SP's from ... Windows update, including Win2K sp3, the IE update that was available ... permission represents a new low in intrusive behavior by a firm. ... Microsoft service packs, at the very least Microsoft should contact ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)