Today's current game "Puzzle Blast" has spyware/adware issue

GameHouse Forums > Support

I tried to download today's game (2/11/10) and got a virus alert attatched to some kind of online scanner for my op system (Win7). I tried 3 times and got the same scan screen. My Norton says my computer is fine. I think there is some kind of adware/spyware issue with this game. Beware

Posted on Thu Feb 11 05:41:59 PST 2010

i did to, i had to improperly shut down my computer to get it to go away! was hoping to try it to see if i liked it, but not going to if you have to first run that program, i have norton that i use and trust! but know that it probably won't be fixed by today so won't have the chance to get it for free!

Posted on Thu Feb 11 05:49:23 PST 2010

This happened to me too. It had one of those things that just start scanning the computer and are hard to get rid of. Although I was able to get rid of it. Should I delete the game?

Posted on Thu Feb 11 06:52:03 PST 2010

This is an ongoing problem with the GOTD. It happened to me a couple of times in the past. Here is another thread on it http://www.gamehouse.com/forums/support-forum/Bad-download-id3561
We should post the infected GOTD on the support forums so no one else gets "burned". I'm staying away from Puzzle Blast today. I wonder if you tried to download Puzzle Blast tomorrow if you would get the spyware/adware or is it just riding in on the GOTD.

Posted on Thu Feb 11 07:14:45 PST 2010

If you block third party cookies (I use CA) you can avoid having this problem. If you allowed this to setup on your system and are using XP, Vista or 7 (I'm using 7) you can restore your system to an earlier date and the vile thing will be gone. If you cannot close the dialog, start task manager and end the process in that program.

This is not a game specific worm/malware whatever. It starts BEFORE the realarcade game installer. The program is setup_2001-21.exe which comes from a website called antispy8scanner.com. Microsoft has issued warning about this website. If you www.antispy8scanner.com you will be directed to microsoft and told the site is dangerous.

I had the problem downloading puzzle blast, got rid of it, fixed the cookie problem and downloaded the game without a problem.

Posted on Thu Feb 11 10:17:56 PST 2010

@ ihatescreennames

Your help and the workaround you have provided is appreciated by myself and I am certain many others as well. Thank you for taking the time and effort to help.

That being said I still have a huge bone to pick with GH. Actually I have several.

1) Why is GH allowing this to continue happening. On their Homepage,2nd paragraph from the last they proclaim that their games are 100%SAFE & free from viruses and malware. It seems to me that that paragraph is not only misleading but is straight out deceptive.

2) Why is this not being addressed\discussed more aggressively by GH staff. I am not perfect and do not expect perfection from others be it a person or a company. I do however expect honesty and culpability. When something gets screwed up take responsibilty, apologize if need be and then take the necessary steps to make things right.
continued below

Posted on Sat Feb 13 21:23:20 PST 2010

I am much more likely to continue a relationship with a company that can admit its mistakes and takes steps to correct them than I am to continue with a company who as far as I can tell is trying to keep the problem quiet hoping the fallout will be minor.

Fortunately, for myself, I believe I am above average when dealing with computers and the internet, as I have worked in IT. Thus I have avoided being duped by the rogue software that is causing the issue here. So many of the customers here are not as savvy and they shouldn't need to be. I don't say that as an insult to anyone it is not my intent to offend any of the customers here. I say it because I believe that when we pay for a membership at a site like this, we should be able to TRUST that nothing that we do, no action that we take, ie downloading a game, will cause harm to our computers. We should not need a degree in computer science(an exaggeration but hopefully you get my point) to safely use this website.

Posted on Sat Feb 13 21:48:58 PST 2010

It all comes down trust GH. I know from reading other threads that you know about this problem and have known since it began happening. Either post a formal warning, disable the free game of the day until the problem is corrected, or at the very least communicate with us what measures are being taken thus far. If you can't do that then remove your promise of safety found on the homepage.

sshhameless1

Posted on Sat Feb 13 21:49:16 PST 2010

I just had the same thing happen when I tried to download '1912 Titanic Mystery'. Had a devil of a time getting rid of the screen, and it said I had 2 viruses and 2 Trojan horses. I ran a Windows Defender scan and my StopSign scan--neither found anything. I read the forum, but I have my security set to not accept third party cookies already. Still happened, so now I am worried about clicking on new games. No way to know if it will happen again

Posted on Sun Feb 14 05:48:20 PST 2010

This problem is not limited to the free game of the day, I also tried to d/l the demo of the HO game about Vancouver and it happened then too. I tried today's free game (2-14-10) and bingo it happened again! So, I have lost my trust in Game House/Real Arcade and I will be cancelling my accout. Beware is exactly right Spinslj!

Posted on Sun Feb 14 11:13:56 PST 2010

I re-tried to download the '192 Titanic Mystery' game and got same result--the annoying "scan" and virus alert. I tried shutting down the windows but of course it wouldn't let me. I minimized the window (didn't stop my download) and pushed ALT & F4 and it closed at once. May be only way to escape it. The download itself went normally.

Posted on Mon Feb 15 08:33:29 PST 2010