Error-Guard - is worse than no guard
Website - MalWare - don't go there unless you want bad things to happen
by ClifNotes
While I was at the Webshots website, I got a big popup advertisement which warned me that my PC may have critical errors in it.
(click to enlarge)
I hate popups, but I don't always use a popup blocker. This type of advertisement that warns of gloom and doom really aggravates me, so I decided to click through and see who the culprit really was.
It seems that they want to sell you an registry error detection program. What they don't tell you is that the program has a very bad history. Here is what I gleaned after 15 minutes of surfing around.
Listed as being detected by Adaware SE.
http://www.lavasoftresearch.com/blog/?p=46
Listed as a Trojan application by Spybot S&D.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/updatehistory/2005-03-19.html
Quote from Computer Associates:
ErrorGuard will detect registry entries by vendors like Computer Associates, Symantec, Kasperky and Microsoft. It tricks users into thinking that the objects have to be removed because they are "critical" in nature. ErrorGuard takes on the look and feel of Windows (using almost identical system tray icons and user interface as Windows Security Center). ErrorGuard installs itself through dubious channels, often being linked through spyware and adware programs. The installation process is not clear enough. Once installation begins, the user is not given control of the setup process. Upon installation ErrorGuard executes and cannot be readily closed by the clearly visible red X. Trying to close the application is recursive. On reboot ErrorGuard runs and opens a window warning the user of critical errors. more http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/pest/pest.aspx?id=453094197
Listed at CastleCops as a type "X" startup entry.
"X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
Status: Spyware remover of dubious repute
http://castlecops.com/s6354-ErrorGuard.html
Quotes from the website - Here is the funny part. Check out the definition of errors from Error-Guard's end user agreement: The risk levels, "Critical and High Risk", do not mean or imply any particular risk to your computer or data, but are simply arbitrary labels we use. 8/20/2005
Here is a snippet of Error-Guard's privacy statement. Personal data collected by Error-Guard, Inc. may be used by Error-Guard, Inc. for many reasons, for example, for editorial and feedback purposes, for marketing and promotional purposes, for a statistical analysis of users' behavior, for ... will not be provided to third parties such as marketing firms. 8/20/2005
Conclusion: Error-Guard is typical of most services and software that is advertised by popups. I recommend that you never purchase anything that comes to you via a popup ad or is delivered to your in an unsolicited email (spam). EmailClif if you want a real protection program or just want to complain about a popup you've gotten.
