Spyware in Catalyst Drivers? Part 2

gerryf · Jun 11, 2003, 09:49 AM

OK, I'm sure we all remember the last stink reguarding spyware in Catalyst drivers, in which in some cases Windows would try to download updated Windows Quality Hardware Labs (WHQL) certificates. but I just ran Spybot search and destroy and see that explbar.dll, which appears to be installed with the all-in-wonder cards, is also listed as spyware.

This one didn't appear in an earlier version of Spybot, or perhaps it was installed with the latest Catalyst drivers (or perhaps something else installed it?).

I searched through this forum and failed to find anything (though I certainly could have missed it), as well as a general internet search with no luck beyond a link to a non-functional website

www.search-explorer.com

Anyone else seen anything like this?

sunrise · Jun 11, 2003, 11:40 AM

I HIGHLY doubt ATi would include "spyware" with their drivers. Part 2 /end

***Veridian3*** · Jun 11, 2003, 11:46 AM

I agree Sunrise.

Gerry F, did you try uninstalling the cats. removing the spyware and reinstalling the cats to see if the spyware returned.

Stu

peterosesbookie · Jun 12, 2003, 01:31 AM

Just another thing to pi$$ off ati users

later

pete

***Veridian3*** · Jun 12, 2003, 03:46 AM

OK,

I've spent some time scanning my PC with a few programs and this spyware does not come from the ATI drivers...at least i dont have it anyway.

Stu

oj213 · Jun 12, 2003, 04:45 AM

I also got this strange pop-up that something was trying to get on the net while installing Cat 3.4's. Twice, once during driver then again during control panel. It was a windows site that it was trying to connect too, would love to be more specific but i just hit deny and kept on installing.

sunrise · Jun 12, 2003, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oj213
I also got this strange pop-up that something was trying to get on the net while installing Cat 3.4's. Twice, once during driver then again during control panel. It was a windows site that it was trying to connect too, would love to be more specific but i just hit deny and kept on installing.

That's a Microsoft WHQL thing for driver certification

merry · Jun 12, 2003, 06:41 AM

and on this page:

Quote:

* Installing the Search-Explorer Toolbar

. Using Windows Explorer select the previously chosen directory
. Launch the install file (explbar.exe).
. Follow the instructions.
[etc]

Figures that explbar.dll is part of the se toolbar utility. But I'm not going to install it just to see.

Anyway, descriptions at spybot's (now that was a hard one

):

http://security.kolla.de/knowledgeba...plorer.en.html

And doxdeskcom (spybot's link is and.doxdesk.com, which doesn't work, but...):

http://doxdesk.com/parasite/SearchExplorer.html

No mention of ATI, tho'...

*CATALYST maker* · Jun 12, 2003, 03:28 PM

we dont have spyware in our drivers or other software applications

No_Style · Jun 12, 2003, 03:40 PM

To see what games we run? Actually it would help driver developers a lot. If there was a program or something that would take minor resources that run in the background and logs down ever error in the drivers. I'd be all for it

As long as they tell us up front what they're doing, I wouldn't mind it.

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jun 12, 2003, 03:44 PM

I think its due to the fact that when you launch explorer in windows it trys to connect to somewhere outside your machine, when you install the add-on its also trying to connect to the outside maybe due to the explorer trying to get out.

***Veridian3*** · Jun 12, 2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CATALYST maker
we dont have spyware in our drivers or other software applications

And there ends todays discussion

Stu

Jun 11, 2003, 09:49 AM	#1
gerryf DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	Spyware in Catalyst Drivers? Part 2 OK, I'm sure we all remember the last stink reguarding spyware in Catalyst drivers, in which in some cases Windows would try to download updated Windows Quality Hardware Labs (WHQL) certificates. but I just ran Spybot search and destroy and see that explbar.dll, which appears to be installed with the all-in-wonder cards, is also listed as spyware. This one didn't appear in an earlier version of Spybot, or perhaps it was installed with the latest Catalyst drivers (or perhaps something else installed it?). I searched through this forum and failed to find anything (though I certainly could have missed it), as well as a general internet search with no luck beyond a link to a non-functional website www.search-explorer.com Anyone else seen anything like this?

Jun 12, 2003, 01:31 AM	#4
peterosesbookie DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: OHIO Posts: 554 Rep Power: 0	I would hope that ati would not include spyware Just another thing to pi$$ off ati users later pete __________________ A Cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball peen hammer!

Jun 12, 2003, 03:40 PM	#10
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,049 Rep Power: 0	Now why would ATI like to spy on me? To see what games we run? Actually it would help driver developers a lot. If there was a program or something that would take minor resources that run in the background and logs down ever error in the drivers. I'd be all for it As long as they tell us up front what they're doing, I wouldn't mind it. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Jun 11, 2003, 11:40 AM	#2
sunrise DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 54 Rep Power: 0	I HIGHLY doubt ATi would include "spyware" with their drivers. Part 2 /end

Jun 11, 2003, 11:46 AM	#3
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 2,999 Rep Power: 72	I agree Sunrise. Gerry F, did you try uninstalling the cats. removing the spyware and reinstalling the cats to see if the spyware returned. Stu

Jun 12, 2003, 03:46 AM	#5
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 2,999 Rep Power: 72	OK, I've spent some time scanning my PC with a few programs and this spyware does not come from the ATI drivers...at least i dont have it anyway. Stu

Jun 12, 2003, 04:45 AM	#6
oj213 L.A Pimpin! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	I also got this strange pop-up that something was trying to get on the net while installing Cat 3.4's. Twice, once during driver then again during control panel. It was a windows site that it was trying to connect too, would love to be more specific but i just hit deny and kept on installing.

Jun 12, 2003, 03:28 PM	#9
CATALYST maker ATI driver guru Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ATI, Canada Posts: 764 Rep Power: 47	we dont have spyware in our drivers or other software applications

Jun 12, 2003, 03:44 PM	#11
~~Sourcer_2002~~ BANNED Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indiana , USA Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 0	I think its due to the fact that when you launch explorer in windows it trys to connect to somewhere outside your machine, when you install the add-on its also trying to connect to the outside maybe due to the explorer trying to get out.