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General discussion

Malware found in Cnet download

Feb 10, 2010 10:27AM PST

I posted a message in another branch of the forum before finding instructions to come here. I hope I'm not wasting my time.

I just downloaded Free Sound Recorder from Cnet and found a message in the installation preamble that I was being offered Zwunzi, which appeared to be a browser hijack utility. Checking things out, I found that it is indeed an evil app. Furthermore, this appears to have been a known issue for at least a year, and other Cnet downloads are also carrying this pest.

I'm dismayed that Cnet doesn't make it easy to report these infractions directly. It took me ten minutes of clicking around to find a paragraph requesting we do so, but there were no instructions or links.

I've been relying on Cnet for years for safe and clean downloads. My confidence just took a nosedive. Please, Cnet, help us help you, and let's all keep software safe and secure.

Discussion is locked

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Just to verify before I report it to the CNET download team
Feb 11, 2010 7:00AM PST
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Confirmation
Feb 11, 2010 8:09AM PST

Yes, that's the title I meant. Thanks for reporting it.

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Thanks for confirming this.
Feb 11, 2010 8:16AM PST

I will have the team check it and see what they find. It may take a few days, but I will report back.

Thanks!
-Lee