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Sildalcea
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 182
Loc: Round the Twist
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Hi All.
Noticed you've got a poor soul in Hijack This Forum who thought that the CiD issue was some sort of Malware. Well it isn't; it's a pain-in-the backside component of Windows Live messenger (the latest all-singing-all-dancing one), the brand new one that came out this week. This bit is called 'Live and Play'(CiD), and in the 'Add/Remove programs' it has the option to remove the Sponsors adverts, or the whole thing. Each time I try to remove the Sponsor part, I'm instructed to close all other programs, but when I try to close the 'Add/Remove' window, it won't close, so I can't be sure this part of the program will be removed. Can I still remove this with the Add/Remove window still open? I can close the 'Control Panel Window OK. Please help me to get rid of this bit, as I know my son loves the Live Messenger, and I don't wish to uninstall the whole thing, but the constant adverts are driving me doolally.
Many thanks for your time, and you'll probably tell me to go ahead with the window open, but I want to be sure this is ok first.
Maggie.
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I have not lost the plot.... I never even had a copy 
Read me here
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 17733
Loc: Colchester
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Quote:
you'll probably tell me to go ahead with the window open
Absolutely right.
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Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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Hello_There
Moderator
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 5993
Loc: Here, in my room
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Has your son got Messenger Plus installed? This is the unofficial program which installs a load of garbage via "sponsorship" and not Live Messenger.
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Sildalcea
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 182
Loc: Round the Twist
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Thanks Greysts.
I was SO fed up by early afternoon that I bit the bullet, then it carried on anyway. But then I logged off, my son went on, and they'd slowed down, and today (fingers crossed!) ALL GONE 
But what makes me very cross is that the brains(!) behind MSN allow this as part of Live and Play, which is more likely to be used by young people, and who is going to think that something like this is part of it? You don't know how many forums are now dealing with this - there are as many solutions given as there are people howling. But if you go to cid help, it states that you must only use their uninstall option. It is illegal (apparently) to use spyware removers, or any of the zillion other methods that people use to get rid of it. I wonder how many people will now be sued for not using the option in the Add/Remove panel. I bet there's not one single case.
Sorry to rant, but I think this little 'Extra' is an outrageous trick for MSN to play. OK, deep breath. Better now.
To anyone else who's got this little **** on their computer: Control Panel > Add/Remove > remove sponsor > don't panic if it doesn't go immediately, it will when the computer is next started, so if you are murderous, restart immediately. That'll learn 'em 
For your help, I thank you,
Maggie
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I have not lost the plot.... I never even had a copy
Read me here
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Sildalcea
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 182
Loc: Round the Twist
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Quote:
Has your son got Messenger Plus installed? This is the unofficial program which installs a load of garbage via "sponsorship" and not Live Messenger.
Sorry, Hello_there, my mistake.
Yes Messenger plus. Thought it was above board, as it gives the option to uninstall all or just the sponsor, but it has the official MSN butterfly next to it. GGRRRRRRR
Maggie
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I have not lost the plot.... I never even had a copy
Read me here
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Hello_There
Moderator
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 5993
Loc: Here, in my room
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Quote:
Sorry to rant, but I think this little 'Extra' is an outrageous trick for MSN to play.
I know that since you wrote your rant, you've realised nothing do with MSN/Live Messenger, and for that reason I would get rid of the whole Messenger Plus program, for security reasons.
If my son had downloaded that on a shared computer, he would have be grounded from using the computer for a couple of weeks and banned for good if he downloaded anything without my permission. I'm beginning to sound like a grumpy old wotsit...guess I am now ha!
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Sildalcea
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 182
Loc: Round the Twist
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Hello My Love. OK. Confession. He did ask for permission, and as it had the 'Butterfly', I said yes. The CiD problem is definitely gone, but it's interesting that you mention security, as the day after it was installed, Norton stopped the 'Downloader' Trojan, and yesterday Norton Bloodhound flagged a problem that it removed PDQ. So once I'm finished here, it's coming off. The good thing (!) tho' is that I now have a lot of confidence in Norton for the way it's dealt with this so promptly. I only discovered the Add/Remove after Googling it and coming across it in another Q&A, else I'd be bald by now. The thing is, you can actually go to the CID site and choose to download it. Why?
Anyhoo, I'm not going to be too harsh on the lad - a week in the shed, 3 sound beatings a day, and then he may repent. Shame. He's only 11 (last Monday), and he didn't do it without asking, so I fully take the blame. But given that it's me, I doubt that anyone is surprised that I got myself into another scrape.
Weirdly tho', if you click the little link in the uninstall window, it actually takes you to 'Help and Support' with loads of articles about what to do if CiD is a problem. Very strange. But then so's most of my life, so no doubt I'll be posting on another problem soon. Wonder what it'll be next time 
All the best,
Maggie
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I have not lost the plot.... I never even had a copy
Read me here
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Hello_There
Moderator
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 5993
Loc: Here, in my room
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These rogue programs have a good way of disguising themselves unfortunately!
For future reference before downloading anything (and for checking any unknown websites before visiting them, you should download McAfee Site Advisor, which, when googling, gives you green, amber or red light warnings.
This is what it reports on Messenger Plus <<click here>>
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Sildalcea
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 182
Loc: Round the Twist
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Thanks for the extra info. Lad is sitting here with me as we speak, and has said he'll tell his friends. How interesting that someone said that they got a Trojan (Downloader), this is the same one that Norton stopped and removed. It is a horrible feeling to think that something has invaded your machine. If I wasn't so strict about regular scans and one offs, as well as getting stuff downloaded with Norton, it could have been dreadful. The whole thing is off, now, and will be completely gone the next time the console is restarted. He's going to download Windows Mail, instead. Think I'll be double-checking everything now, even 'trusted' software. Kids. Who'd 'ave 'em
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I have not lost the plot.... I never even had a copy
Read me here
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