SatScape Web Site

K1LJL · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Vermont

After I installed Satscape i noticed that a spyware program was installed
at the same time. Think its packaged with Satscape. Its called "Bonzibuddy". I found this info on this spyware.
BonziBuddy as a "Backdoor Santa": a stand-alone program that have no links to adware networks or no ad-serving, per se, but that collect information from users.

Serves adds, frequently prompts users for personal information, tracks all usage, deposits icons in the startup folder, system tray and on the desktop, repeatedly resets the browser homepage to BONZI.COM without asking permission, and leaves components behind after users use its uninstall program.

After I removed "Bonzibuddy" Satscape no longer functions and
satscape will not run.

Thought users should know about this spyware. Satscape is a great program, but it should tell users that Spyware is being used.

I have removed Satscape from my computer

satscape · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:18 pm Post subject:

Satscape does not officially get packaged with any spyware, especially bonzibuddy. Could you tell me where you downloaded your copy?

Please download Adaware or similar free program to remove spyware and adware from your PC, and then go to www.satscape.co.uk to download your OFFICIAL copy of Satscape.

K1LJL · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Vermont

Hi Satscape, I Did as you said, and removed all spyware.
I downloaded the 5 disks and extracted to a common
new folder. (From the official site on your link) I ran satscape exe.
After completion, I checked the Addware with a scan. "Bonzibuddy"
was THERE and the only spyware. I checked before after extracting
with winzip and was clean. It has to be bundeled. Have you checked your system? After removing the spyware Satscape will NOT function.
Does weird things.

Steve

satscape · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 2:56 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure where thats coming from. I regard my PC to be a fortress, and I'm very particular about security. BonsaiBuddy is not a virus that jumps from file to file. Its an add on to installations that some 'free'ware program developers insist on putting into the programs to "pay for" their time.

Anyway, yes the files on my PC and on the web server are clean. I even installed it on a old Windows 98 PC, and scanned it with Ad-Aware, just a few spy cookies came up, but nothing else. Can someone else verify the existance of any spyware in Satscape?

Download Ad-Aware at http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

Scan your PC and see what turns up, if you've never run Ad-aware before, I garrentee you'll have quite a bit of spyware on your PC already.

One more thing, I'm just about to upload Satscape v2.02 to the website (contains a fix for the Database file update) - So, I'd be interested to know if anyone finds any spyware in this version.

Bye for now,
Scott

K1LJL · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Vermont

Hi Scott, FYI, I downloaded the new 2.0.2 version. I cleared
all previous versions. Same problem with "Bonzibuddy". I
tried the same thing on a different network and a Windows 98
machine. Same problem. I am using the Anti-Spy toolbar from
Yahoo.
http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=l&board=&tid=antispy&sid=394500001&mid=100000.

Sure would be nice to find what is causing this. May be something with
Active X. After deleting Bonzibuddy, Satscape fails to respond and
I get an Active X error.

Regards, Steve

Hank52 · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 3 Location: B.C. Canada

Steve: I can vouch that "BonziBuddy" is not part of Satscape, and never has been. If you go to the Satscape Homepage and Download it from there you will get a clean Program. If you are using Win Xp, Disable "System Restore" then re-boot your computer. The go back and Re-enable it. Malware sometimes hides in there and is recreated after you clean your computer. Here are some programs that will get rid of that junk, and prevent you from getting it on you computer again. All these programs are "Free" and Trusted by a lot of people. Oh, Scan your computer before you install Satscape. It maybe part of another program.

You might want to look at this about your Anti-Spy Toollbar.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=AntiSpy+toolbar+from+YAHOO&spell=1

"DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE THESE PROGRAMS BEFORE YOU USE THEM"

Ad-aware SE Personal - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Removes unwanted junk from your Computer.
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Spybot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=home

Does the same thing that Ad-Aware does, and finds things that Ad-Aware misses.
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SpywareBlaster 3.2 - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

A Program that just sits there, not using any resources but Stops junk from ever getting installed in the first place.
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SpywareGuard 2.2 - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

Another good program that does more or less the same thing.
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a2 Trojan Remover - http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

Does exactly what it says. It removes Trojans. It does not stop Trojans from getting on your Computer like the "Paid" version does, but it will remove them.
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Script Sentry - http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/default.asp

A very good small Program that stops VBS scripts from changing & screwing up your Registry.
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Pop-Up Stopper - http://www.panicware.com/product_downloads.html

Does just what it says. Very good. You can also use the Google Toolbar.
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StartPage Guard 2.52 - http://www.pjwalczak.com/spguard/index.php

Stops your HomePage from being Hijacked. You can also Lock your HomePage using Ad-Aware or SpyBot Search and Destroy.
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If this doesn't work nothing will.

Ken:

K1LJL · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Vermont

Thanks Hank52 for the info. It appears that from the info you provided
that the "Bonzibuddy" is a bug in the Yahoo Anti-spy toolbar.
I don't run System Restore on my XP.
I ran Spybot before and after a New installation of Satscape.
No problems found. Excluded the "Bonzibuddy" in my Yahoo Anti-Spy.
Thanks for your help. I can now run this excellent program "Satscape"
Thanks Scott for your help also.

Steve

Hank52 · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 3 Location: B.C. Canada

No problem Steve. I'm just glad you found the source of your problem. Satscape is a great Program considering that it is "Free", but is still has a few bugs. Scott will eventually get them worked out.

Ken: