InformAction Forums

Uniblue's SpeedUpMyPC is widely considered malware (or, at the very least, scamware -- detecting problems that are not even there then telling you to pay up in order to "fix" them). Same with PCSpeedUp. I was very surprised to see a prominent link to these programs on the latest NoScript update page, under the big title "What we recommend!" Perhaps it has been there for a long time, but I just noticed it yesterday with the update. I also noticed that the URL for this link is obscured so that there is no clue it is going to Uniblue or PCSpeedUp (it seems to switch between the two when clicking the link). No mention of the program names anywhere on the page, just a blanket recommendation that we should use whatever is on the other side of that link. This seriously makes me wonder if NoScript is still looking out for user's best security interests anymore. If SpeedUpMyPC and PCSpeedUP have been changed so that they are no longer spam/scamware/malware -- then why try to hide the name of what you are recommending to NoScript users? I think I may know the answer to that one: had I saw any indication that the URL was going to either of these dubious applications I would never have clicked on it. Reason enough to obfuscate if one is getting paid for clickthroughs. I only clicked this unknown link because I actually TRUSTED NoScript to the point that I would take seriously their recommendation.

If you are unaware of these applications, Google either of them and see what I'm talking about. It's scary.

I am open to being persuaded that all the reports of these applications being malware are no longer correct. I would love to be corrected if this info is mistaken, because if no one can give me a reasonable explanation of why these programs are truly safe now despite their reputation, then I can hardly trust NoScript any longer. How could anyone?

Giorgio does check up on the advertising providers for his sites. As far as I'm aware, they're not malware.

However, they certainly have nothing to do with the code of NoScript (as you may verify for yourself; just unzip the XPI file and examine it). Or FlashGot.

Although I was logged in, submitting extensive criticism, required re-Login, & erased the post!.
... NS 'reputation tool' documents poor reputation for UniBlue & its product advertised (endorsed) by NS. ...

NoScribner wrote:Although I was logged in, submitting extensive criticism, required re-Login, & erased the post!.

Perhaps your session timed out?

I recommend writing long posts in a text editor first (eg Notepad), then copying and pasting.

... NS 'reputation tool' documents poor reputation for UniBlue & its product advertised (endorsed) by NS. ...

The tools in question are not maintained by Giorgio; he's just providing a convenient way to check with third-party services. Yes, they do give poor ratings to Uniblue. Which I would expect for almost any company that chooses to place web advertisements.

Hi,
May 30th this year, after klicking one of those 2 links (think it was the "Sped-up-my-pc" ) I got offered an antivirus-check, which I was unaware enaugh to accept. This test told me "more than 30 virus-infected items" on my PC, which the Program "Spyhunter" would help me to delite! The name Spyhunter made me leery. Google finally told me what "Spyhunter" IS ...

(Pleas excuse my stumbling English - it`s not my motherlanguage)