Regeneration

It seems that another antivirus software has gone mad. This time it's the reputable ESET aka NOD32 and Smart Security. In the past few days, users have been complaining of massive amount of false positive alerts with ESET and the latest virus definition update. It looks like ESET is flagging plenty of legitimate 3rd party software as Win32/OpenCandy adware. Even yours truly has encountered the same issue – especially with installation programs.

According to Microsoft's virus encyclopedia, Win32/OpenCandy is an adware program that may be bundled with certain third-party software installation programs. Some versions of this program may send user-specific information, including a unique machine code, operating system information, locale (country), and certain other information to a remote server without obtaining adequate user consent.

Update #1: Microsoft Security Essentials is having similar issue according to users' reports.

Update #2: ESET has released the following statement: "OpenCandy is a popular adware program that is sometimes bundled with installation packages of legitimate programs. You may receive a "Potential threat found" warning window after downloading any program bundled with OpenCandy. OpenCandy is categorized as a potentially unwanted application because it collects information and selects third-party applications to install on your computer, some of which contain rogue-like and questionable qualities."

Update #3: OpenCandy's CEO has issued a statement on this manner.

  

Unregistered

This is interesting. For the last few weeks Microsoft Security Essentials also has marked the MediaInfo-installer as Win32/OpenCandy even though In know it didn't before as I used it for quite some time. I know that installer asks if I want to install .... ask.com or something like that.

SpectatorX

I'm using best antivirus - my own brain. In fact all the antivirus software is useless and pointless if computer user is not thinking.

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Take your own future in your own hands!

squall_leonhart

no, virus's can come from anywhere, spectators line of thinking isn't even plausible.

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SpectatorX

Really? Over 1,5 year ago i left using any antivirus software because it was causing a lot of problems with system stability and was making machine slower. I'm using software in latest versions, taking care about system updates, i'm not clicking all the blinking things and READING (with understanding) everything i see on my screen.

From time to time i'm installing gdata antivirus trial to check my computer for viruses and guess what? I never have any virus!

My system is running smooth, stable and secure because i know what i'm doing with my machine.

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Take your own future in your own hands!

squall_leonhart

yeah, that you know of.

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Rob

How do you use your brain when sites routinely get compromised (see: NYT, CNN, ZDNet...)?

The only way you can use your brain and be accurate is to turn off networking.

Regeneration

Rob is correct. Even if if you're 100% you can still get infected.

blindartist

Yep, Ive done a year before with 0 protection and no matter how careful you usally are one will eventually slip through or youll eventually slip up and do something stupid, but to be honest I dont like having an antivirus running as they do cause some issues, lately I just have Threatfire running, it seems to be sufficient, virus free for two years now

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The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

mkey

AV closes this window of opportunity? I see.

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... what?