Javacool Blog

SpywareBlaster 4.2

Javacool — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:20:43 +0000

We’re happy to announce the release of SpywareBlaster 4.2. Prevent the installation of spyware, adware, browser hijackers, malware, and other potentially unwanted software with SpywareBlaster’s multi-layered protection. SpywareBlaster can help keep your system secure, without interfering with the “good side” of the web. And unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in [...]

CLSID List surpasses 60,000 entries

Javacool — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:14:10 +0000

This weekend, the CLSID List (now hosted over at SystemLookup) surpassed 60,000 entries. The CLSID List was originally started by Tony Klein as the BHO List, to catalog good and bad Internet Explorer Browser Helper Objects (BHOs). Over the years and across many different homes, it has expanded in scope to cover Toolbars, URLSearchHooks, and Explorer [...]

Installer doghouse – how not to display a EULA

Javacool — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:15:31 +0000

For better or for worse, EULAs (those licenses with which you often have to agree to install software) are here to stay. But the ways installers display them to the user differ wildly. Since part of the purpose behind our EULAlyzer program is to help keep users informed about what they’re agreeing to, we thought we’d [...]

Google glitch – “This site may harm your computer.”

Javacool — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:48:21 +0000

Earlier today, Google experienced a rather significant glitch: All search results showed the “This site may harm your computer.” warning. Normally this warning does a decent job of highlighting common, major sources of malware (and other unwanted things). Google reasonably disables potentially harmful links, and redirects to an intermediary page that (a) provides more information, and [...]

EULAlyzer 2.0

Javacool — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:42:10 +0000

We’re happy to announce the release of EULAlyzer 2.0. Many bad or potentially unwanted pieces of software like to bury what they plan on doing in their license agreements. And, truth be told, most people simply don’t take the time to fully read the license agreements for programs they install. So the bad guys get [...]

A fond farewell to our friends at CastleCops

Javacool — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:05:42 +0000

As you may have heard, CastleCops.com closed down on December 23. Attempts to visit any page on the site are redirect to a brief message: You have arrived at the CastleCops website, which is currently offline. It has been our pleasure to investigate online crime and volunteer with our virtual family to assist with your computer needs [...]

Patches released for serious IE, Firefox flaws

Javacool — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:38:52 +0000

Microsoft has released a patch to fix a critical flaw in Internet Explorer. This flaw is being actively exploited to compromise machines and install malware/spyware/rogue programs, so please run Windows Update and download the update immediately. Even if you don’t use IE for the majority of your browsing, other programs may use its underlying engine to [...]

Fake “SpywareGuard2008″ rogue – beware

Javacool — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:35:21 +0000

A fake, rogue anti-malware product, going under the name “SpywareGuard 2008″, is making the rounds. This program is not, in any way, associated with Javacool Software or our legitimate SpywareGuard product. Rather, “SpywareGuard 2008″ is yet another rogue anti-malware utility trying to bank off of the name of a good program. Legitimate download links for the real [...]

Antivirus 2009 search-engine redirect hacks

Javacool — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:08:34 +0000

Recently, we’ve come across a number of legitimate sites that have been hacked to redirect to various rogue anti-malware “scan” sites (including Antivirus2009). The hack involves a twist. Visiting the sites directly (i.e. via a bookmark or manually entering the address) results in no redirect and, often, no signs of the hack. The malicious redirect only [...]

Welcome to the Javacool Blog

Javacool — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:52:07 +0000

Welcome to the Javacool Software blog. Yes, at long last we finally have a blog. Although things may look a little empty at the moment, we’ll soon be blogging here about our software, security and privacy issues, and much more. We’re ever-busy, but we do plan to keep a fairly regular blogging schedule. Most importantly, [...]