MyPhoneExplorer and it's 3 malware applications

[jgt1942]

FDO - Thanks for the info. Just to ensure I'm on the same page I can join the Ecco community for $20/year and get a malware free version of MyPhoneExplorer. Also if desired I can use EccoProX (several great videos at YouTube, just search for EccoPro) for no additional fee. EccoProX looks to be VERY powerful and I need to take more time to study it.

Much thanks for the info!

[spile]

As a long time user of MPE and also a donator I've come to the conclusion that this mature app should be charagable. A free limited feature version would be a good way for new users to try the app. Maybe the next upgrade should be chargeable. The issue of malware definitely needs addressing though.

[dvhttn]

Hmmm. I've used MPE for 4 years or so and never seen any "malware", in fact I've seen nothing except MPE installed. Maybe it's something to do with having installed the original version before any "malware" was added? Don't know.

Anyhow, I had occasion to install it on another machine today, a laptop running Windows 8.1 (my PC runs the 'venerable' XP Pro ...). I downloaded it from this website and, mindful of all the warnings on here, I checked each and every screen before going on. I saw nothing that mentioned installing/not installing anything apart from MPE. Was I lucky or what?

The laptp only runs Microsoft Security Essentials and has a hosts file from MVPS at ... http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm ... Maybe that helps?

[Koelner]

Was I lucky or what?

No, you were just smart enough to install the MPE and skip the adware.
Something that appears to be not so easy for some people here.

[TheLandYacht]

Actually, he mentions not seeing anything not related to the installation of MPE. So...lucky, not smart.

Myself, I take the precaution of disabling network access while installing new versions of MPE. That seems to stop any adware installation attempts.

[dvhttn]

... Myself, I take the precaution of disabling network access while installing new versions of MPE. That seems to stop any adware installation attempts.

I'm wondering if this is it? Not that I disabled network access, just that the hosts file I've got may well have, effectively, disabled the malware urls included with the download. Anyway, it that's the case it's an effective way to get around the problem.

[cavveman]

... Myself, I take the precaution of disabling network access while installing new versions of MPE. That seems to stop any adware installation attempts.

I'm wondering if this is it? Not that I disabled network access, just that the hosts file I've got may well have, effectively, disabled the malware urls included with the download. Anyway, it that's the case it's an effective way to get around the problem.

It is. I do it myself for all programs I install
Easiest solution I know of. Also easier to explain this type of solution rather then telling about switching the hosts file, try to explain it to a person who almost never uses computers about changing stuff in the operatingsystem. Not easy

[jesushchrist1932]

I find it outrageous that the 1.8.6. update of MyPhoneExplorer was bundled with unwanted programs and malware. Upon starting the installation, the update disabled my Windows Defender, installed "Search Protect" and changed my search engine and start page in my browser. It was a real pain to get rid of all of these. The installer warns of one such program but, deselecting that still did not prevent all the other programs from being installed and the changes from being made. While I have found MyPhoneExplorer to be a good program, I have now lost all respect for the the people who are promoting it in this way and I am now looking for an alternative program written and promoted by respectable people.

[Adel42]

While updating to 1.8.6 I received the trojan Aretemis!C2F5BDD26BA4 .
Mc Afee Antivirus recognised it and isolated it. So, all went well.
It is the first time I used this program, so I am very surprised of this result.

Is it the normal case during SW distribution¨?
Adel42

[tmacs1]

I found Fosshub download had problems with Revision 1.8.6. Techspot website did not have an issue.

[Screwbottle]

I found Fosshub download had problems with Revision 1.8.6. Techspot website did not have an issue.

I know this is a reply to a four month old post, but isn't it an indication of the non acceptance of the malware injected into this product. I went over to Techspot, no file available, and I am sure in their wisdom have removed it, probably from many complaints of their forum visitors. The link and search of it is there, but no file.

[Garelius]

Read the posts and recalled that the software install had offered opt outs of what was being complained about. I also translated the German first reply using google trans. Seems clear enough to me.

"Since you indicating that you speak also German, I answer simply how it is. Not because I do not want anyone reading my answer, but because it is easier.

Who will download and install the MPE asked during the installation which parts he would like to install. This adware is included free of charge to keep the MPE. This is not rocket science, and easy to understand. For this you have but just turn his brain and not just blindly into any window that opens on the screen, click OK, what you have by your description, done at least on two computers.

Justified criticism is one thing but unsubstantiated allegations are something else. The forum is full of articles that address the decision to allow adware in the installer. Maybe it would be a good idea to read something like this before wild slobbering pounces on a free software that looks as second to none."

[Fréderique]

First of all I have donated as I love using this program.

I have read about adware/malware that gets installed upon installation of MPE. But my antivirus program just found a TROJAN in an MPE file:

Android.Trojan.SMSSend.AAH
mpeclient.apk => classes.dex

I installed 1.8.6 in August last year and have not experienced any problems with adware/malware (am highly protected with BullGuard and MBAM and others). Maybe I did the installation just right, don't remember! But this is much more serious, isn't it?

My big question is: is this trojan infection caused by the MPE program (being an open source or something) or did it enter in some other way and just located itself in the MPE file?? Can anybody answer this question? This is really important as in the first case the MPE program is a serious constant threat to the pc. And: is my mobile phone infected by this trojan as well?

FJ, please come forward and make the program alright again.

Fréderique