AOL (UK)

Message sent to AOL today (still awaiting an answer!)

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Hi

I have reinstalled Windows XP Home after playing with Ubunto (Linux).

I then used an AOL 9.0VR CD which AOL sent me by post in February 2008 to
set up the AOL browser on my PC but my Symantec Antivirus informed me that
the disc held a Trojan Vundo.B (cleaned)
and also another Trojan ........ Trojan-Spy.HTML.Smitfraud.c [Kaspersky] -
which was quarantined.

I flattened the machine and then reinstalled Windows XP again - and this
time downloaded AOL 9.0VR directly from the Internet (AOL web site here:-
http://www.aol.co.uk/?src=www.aol.com

Exactly the same malware was discovered!

My query then. Are these Trojans 'part and parcel' of AOL today or might
something else be amiss?

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Any thoughts from others here?
Might the Trojans actually be part of the AOL browser?

 

You could nave saved yourself the anguish by installing Ubuntu as either
a dual-boot with your current Windows, or used the Wubi install where
Ubuntu becomes a 'directory' on your C: drive and with a dual-boot
capability.

When you are ready to formally move to Linux, consider the regular
dual-boot (retaining Windows for a time), then later from Ubuntu,
reformat the NTFS partitions to the Linux file system.

Is there a compelling reason you actually need AOL? ;-)
I've read in numerous places that their installation is particularly
invasive, especially to the Windows Registry.

Last I heard, the "AOL browser" was simply a title-bar branded Internet
Explorer...

 

I flattened the machine and then reinstalled Windows XP again - and this

I would be very surprised if you are the only persorn affected by that
"AOL embedded trojan" out of the million customers that AOL has in the
UK.

My guess is that this is a false positive, and usually antivirus
companies have a way to submit suspicious files to make sure they are
really a virus.

 

Thanks for your comments Bts. This is all very new to me, but I do have
genuine XP Home plus SP1, 2 and 3 CD's and a Ubuntu CD as well, so it isn't
difficult to revamp everything.

Hahaha! Lots of folk ridicule AOL, I know, but AOL (UK) is now owned by
Carphone Warehouse - one of the UK's major mobile phone companies.

AOL is my *ISP* - I have to have *some* way to connect to the 'net and AOL
is competitive price-wise. One does NOT have to install the AOL software to
utilise the connection. Whilst the AOL Browser is based on Internet
Explorer, it is still quite a complex package, much as it was many years
ago.

HTH

 

Perhaps you are right, Frank! AOL replied ........

"Dear AOL member,
There was a virus called blaster affecting Windows XP without the Service
Pack. I had the same experience with this virus as you have with this
trojan. If you want to be sure that system is properly installed you should
format disks first. However that does not prevent you from all of the
viruses. Most of them are affecting internet browsers straight away. When I
opened an Internet page (I wanted to go through google to microsoft
download) and virus came straight back. I do recommend to install all
updates first and then try to download AOL 9.0 VR. I can assure you that our
software is virus-free and we do not add anything to our downloads. The
issue is the Internet network that stores a lot of this annoying software. I
strongly recommend to install anti-spyware software as well. What you can do
in this case is to download and scan your computer with the following
software to remove any spyware: Adaware SE from http://www.download.com and
Microsoft Defender from http://www.microsoft.com and to block future popups
download the Google Toolbar from http://www.download.com

Thank you for contacting AOL technical Support via e-mails.

Kind regards, Greg."



**



I responded with ............



"I regret that I do not find your answer satisfactory.

I completely flattened my PC, destroying all partitions and reformatted,
then installed Windows XP Home again from my retail disk. I then installed
SP1 and then SP3 from disks I have from Microsoft. I then installed Symantec
Antivirus before connecting to the Internet to gain updates from Microsoft.

The first indication of malware was when utilising AOL 9.0VR - either from
my AOL disk or when downloading from the Intenet. .

Perhaps you should pass this matter to your supervisor/manager".

**

This resulted in this reply from AOL ........

Dear AOL member,

I do apologise for any inconveniences caused by this.

I do appreciate that you knew what to do. To be honest with you sir, 90% of
customers has poor technical knowledge. That is the reason why I am sending
the very first steps in our troubleshoot. May I ask what is the link that
you use for downloading AOL 9.0 VR?

I can assure you that AOL is not including any destructive programs into the
software. I am terribly sorry for the poor service that you experienced.

Thank you for contacting AOL Technical Support via e-mails.

Kindest regards, Greg.