Blink Beat

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 17:39:12

I'm very careful when downloading free software and always make sure never to tick toolbar or other things that are on offer during installation but somehow I have got Blink Beat on my desktop which I know I didn't download.

I would like to know how it got there. I have managed to uninstall it via add/remove.

I also ran malwarebytes and no virus was found.

Rik · Aug 28, 2011, 17:44:43

Google's not very forthcoming, Lona, the best I could find was this:

http://www.filestube.com/b/blink+beat

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 18:05:01

Here's what I found................

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-509879.html

I think I must have got it when I installed Audacity.

pctech · Aug 28, 2011, 18:08:23

Audacity should only be obtained from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Simon · Aug 28, 2011, 18:26:01

If you've managed to uninstall it through Add / Remove programs, the chances are it wasn't malicious.

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 18:36:14

Quote from: Simon on Aug 28, 2011, 18:26:01
If you've managed to uninstall it through Add / Remove programs, the chances are it wasn't malicious.

I hope so Simon. What I don't understand is how it got there in the first place.

Simon · Aug 28, 2011, 18:37:35

As you say, it was probably bundled in with some other software. Bit naughty, really.

zappaDPJ · Aug 28, 2011, 18:38:21

If it's Blinkx Beat I'm surprised you managed to remove it without using specialist tools as it's normally extremely hard to get rid of.

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 19:27:44

Quote from: zappaDPJ on Aug 28, 2011, 18:38:21
If it's Blinkx Beat I'm surprised you managed to remove it without using specialist tools as it's normally extremely hard to get rid of.

Maybe it didn't have the X but it did cause my pc to change it's screensaver. I've ran malwarebytes which did find a virus which it removed, whether it was the blinkx virus I'm not sure. Should it appear again then I will know I haven't properly removed it and will have to download the remedy.

Simon · Aug 28, 2011, 19:38:31

Quote from: Lona on Aug 28, 2011, 17:39:12I also ran malwarebytes and no virus was found.

then...

Quote from: Lona on Aug 28, 2011, 19:27:44
I've ran malwarebytes which did find a virus which it removed, whether it was the blinkx virus I'm not sure.

So, what did you do in between the two malwarebytes scans for it to find a virus on the second run? Was that when you uninstalled the program?

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 20:18:02

It wasn't till I updated malwarebytes Simon and ran it again did it find a virus.

Simon · Aug 28, 2011, 20:28:33

Ah...

armadillo · Aug 29, 2011, 01:26:20

Nothing you download from sourceforge will contain any surprises bundled in. You will not have got blinkx beat from a sourceforge download of Audacity.

OTOH, we do have to be careful where we get things from, and I am sure that you are. I just want to check that you have not recently installed VLC Media Player.

http://www.videolan.org/ is the only legitimate site for VLC. That is absolutely clean but there are spoof sites for it that include malware.

Lance · Aug 29, 2011, 01:45:49

Although absolutely any website has the potential to serve up dodgy files through the result of being hacked or other foul play.

armadillo · Aug 29, 2011, 01:51:29

That's true alas. They get particular kudos when they manage to hack a security site. Remember when they hit Kaspersky?

Technical Ben · Aug 29, 2011, 09:16:39

The hijack this forums (The ones to Malwarebytes) are really helpful for removing viruses. Technical, but helpful. If you still need help, I'd suggest checking out the Malwarebytes website, then the link to their forums.

Simon · Aug 29, 2011, 12:21:37

Quote from: armadillo on Aug 29, 2011, 01:26:20
Nothing you download from sourceforge will contain any surprises bundled in. You will not have got blinkx beat from a sourceforge download of Audacity.

OTOH, we do have to be careful where we get things from, and I am sure that you are. I just want to check that you have not recently installed VLC Media Player.

http://www.videolan.org/ is the only legitimate site for VLC. That is absolutely clean but there are spoof sites for it that include malware.

Is there a list of legitimate sites for software such as this? I understand it could be quite extensive, but to cover the basics that people go for, would be useful.

Rik · Aug 29, 2011, 12:53:19

It would make a useful sticky.

Simon · Aug 29, 2011, 13:09:50

That's what I was thinking.

Technical Ben · Aug 30, 2011, 23:35:30

I suppose it's like moeny. You need to check the bill in your hand, not the one your friend knows is legit.

.Griff. · Aug 31, 2011, 00:05:03

http://www.filehippo.com/ has been my trusted source of downloads for years now.

Everything you could possibly want in one place, fast downloads, older versions available if required and completely safe.

One website everyone should bookmark.

Simon · Aug 31, 2011, 00:09:19

Already had it, but thanks Griff.