Should I install Drive Cleaner
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From: MisterHyde on 4 Sep 2006 13:02 I just got a popup window in Safari, advising me to install a program called Drive Cleaner, because I may have "track of adult web sites" on my computer. I followqed the link and downloaded something with the filename installdrivecleanerstart.exe.download. I then looked up Drive Cleaner on Google and found out it might be a somewhat shady program, do I'm wondering if I should install it or throw it away. (I also saw that it's a PC program, so it might not even run on the Mac anyway, making the whole point moot.)
From: Garner Miller on 4 Sep 2006 13:11 In article <1157389374.005780.63830(a)b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, "MisterHyde" <y_hyde(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > I just got a popup window in Safari... Well, for starters, I'd recommend turning the "Block Popup Windows" option ON under the Safari menu. > ...advising me to install a program > called Drive Cleaner, because I may have "track of adult web sites" on > my computer. It's your history and your cache file. You can clear the history with the command at the bottom of the history menu, and the cache can be cleared with a command from the Safari menu. That's it. > I followqed the link and downloaded something with the > filename installdrivecleanerstart.exe.download. NEVER download a program from a random website or advertisement, unless you know what it does, and it's from a reputable source. EXE files are Windows executable files, and won't normally be usable on your Mac anyway. However, had it been a Mac program, it could have been a problem. One of the few exploits on the Mac has taken advantage of Safari's mode of helpfully opening "safe" files automatically. I strongly recommend turning that off in the preferences as well. > I then looked up Drive > Cleaner on Google and found out it might be a somewhat shady program, > do I'm wondering if I should install it or throw it away. I think you answered your own question: definitely throw it away. > (I also saw > that it's a PC program, so it might not even run on the Mac anyway, > making the whole point moot.) Yep! You're safe for now, but please be careful with future downloads. I make it a policy not to buy anything from people who bombard me with pop-ups, but that's more just out of principle.
From: George Berger on 4 Sep 2006 13:23 In article <garner-EFD47B.13105904092006(a)news-server.nycap.rr.com>, Garner Miller <garner(a)netstreet.net> wrote: > Yep! You're safe for now, but please be careful with future downloads. > I make it a policy not to buy anything from people who bombard me with > pop-ups, but that's more just out of principle. Also, before I download any unknown app, I go to Version Tracker and see what others might have said about the product. There are loads of applications that look almost too good to be true - - and some fit that bill. George (The Old Fud) -- I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. -- Robert McCloskey, State Department spokesman (attributed)
From: Mike Rosenberg on 4 Sep 2006 17:08 Michelle Steiner <michelle(a)michelle.org> wrote: > The popup was a spam ad; it didn't read anything on your disk. I once had a client phone me all frantic because a pop-up ad informed her her computer has an IP number. -- <http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift
From: Hugh Watkins on 4 Sep 2006 20:34
MisterHyde wrote: > I just got a popup window in Safari, advising me to install a program > called Drive Cleaner, because I may have "track of adult web sites" on > my computer. I followqed the link and downloaded something with the > filename installdrivecleanerstart.exe.download. I then looked up Drive > Cleaner on Google and found out it might be a somewhat shady program, > do I'm wondering if I should install it or throw it away. (I also saw > that it's a PC program, so it might not even run on the Mac anyway, > making the whole point moot.) > NO you are in charge kill pop ups Hugh W -- new computer = new blog http://mac-on-intel.blogspot.com/ daily blogs with new photos http://snaps2006.blogspot.com/ http://slim2005.blogspot.com/ family history http://hughw36.blogspot.com |