Last updated
14/05/2005
Copyright © 1999 - 2004, Sandra Hardmeier, All
Rights Reserved Worldwide
Spread via AOL Instant Messenger, users of that programme receive a message, apparently from somebody on their Buddy List, prompting them to visit various links, including sites at gwutv.com, buddylinks.net or gamesandquizzes.com.
If the hapless user clicks on the link, a programme that *appears* to be a game asks permission to be downloaded and installed from www.gwutv.com or download.buddylinks.net. The programme then displays ads on the user's computer, sends a message to everybody on that person's Buddy List, and the cycle begins all over again for the new victims.
By installing Buddylinks you are giving the programme permission to "modify the instant messenger software, deliver additional content such as advertisements and promotional messages....In addition, the software will interoperate with your current instant messaging client so as to permit the automatic sending of advertising messages originating from your computer to your contact or 'buddy' list regarding content offered by PSD Tools [the company behind BuddyLinks] or its suppliers..." In addition, by installing Buddylinks you give PSD Tools permission to not only automatically update Buddylinks, but also "third party applications".
As a start, remove the software via Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs (Buddylinks, PSDT Messaging Integration and PSD Tools ChannelUp v1.0). The latest AdAware update (01R257) dated 15 February 2004 will detect and remove Buddylinks. I expect Spybot etc to follow suit.
The latest version of AOL Instant Messenger (5.5.3572) will protect you from this malware, and future inventions using the same trick.
An example of the Terms of Service, taken from an install of Buddylinks, is below. The Terms could, of course, change at any time at the whim of PSD Tools.
PSD TOOLS
END USER AGREEMENT AND SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
BEFORE YOU CLICK ON THE ACCEPT BUTTON AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT, CAREFULLY
READ ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. BY CLICKING ON THE ACCEPT
BUTTON, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY AND ARE BECOMING A PARTY TO THIS
AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, CLICK THE
“DO NOT ACCEPT” BUTTON AND DO NOT DOWNLOAD OR USE THIS SOFTWARE. PLEASE PRINT
OUT A COPY OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR YOUR FUTURE REFERENCE.
This PSD Tools End User Agreement (the “Agreement”) is a legal agreement between
you and PSD Tools (“PSD Tools”). In this Agreement, the term “Software” means
the “PSD Tools Instant Messenger Client”, including computer software and
associated media and printed materials, and may include “online” or electronic
documentation. The term “You” or “you” means the company, entity or individual
who is acquiring the license to use the Software under this Agreement. The term
“use” means storing, loading, installing, executing or displaying the Software.
“Computer” means a single computer which is not a server.
License Grant - Usage in General. Except as otherwise specifically set forth
below, (a) PSD Tools grants you and you accept the non-exclusive,
non-transferable right to use the Software in object code form only, on a single
Computer; and (b) you may not modify the Software or disable any licensing or
control features of the Software. You acknowledge that the Software may contains
software procedures or other mechanisms (“License Enforcement Mechanisms”) that
enforce use restrictions and that may disable functionality of the Software and
prevent access to data using the Software at the end of any evaluation period or
upon violation of the terms of this Agreement.
Content. To the extent that the Software enables you to access (on-line or
otherwise) materials, including goods and services, not supplied by PSD Tools
(“Content”), you should be aware that such Content is the property of the
applicable Content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright law. This
License grants you no rights to Content. If any damages are incurred by PSD
Tools, including but not limited to any fines, penalties, or legal costs, due to
your failure to comply with any applicable restrictions on the access and use of
the Content, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless PSD Tools and its
suppliers and affiliates from and against any and all fines, penalties, losses,
liabilities, damages, claims and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
court costs) arising out of or incurred as a result, directly or indirectly, of
that failure. PSD Tools is not responsible for the Content and the use of the
Software to access the Content does not act as an endorsement of any such
Content. Your access to any Content is at your own risk.
Services; Modifications to Your Instant Messaging Client. The Software provides
you the opportunity to access Content for no charge. In return for the right to
access this Content, you acknowledge and agree that the Software contains
additional software products provided to PSD Tools by its suppliers which will
periodically deliver additional Content such as, but not limited to,
advertisements and promotional messages to your Computer and programs that may
alter your home page to offer you Content. In addition, the Software will
interoperate with your current instant messaging client so as to permit the
automatic sending of advertising messages originating from your Computer to your
contact or “buddy” list regarding Content offered by PSD Tools or its suppliers.
If you desire to stop this activity, you may elect to stop the messages by
navigating to the “buddylinks.net” entry in your “Start Menu”, selecting the
“buddylinks.net Configuration” item, and unchecking the appropriate option. You
may also refer to PSD Tools’ website at http://www.psdtools.com for an
uninstaller.
Updates to Software. The Software includes an automatic update feature to ensure
that you have the most recently released version. You acknowledge and agree that
PSD Tools or third parties designated by PSD Tools may from time to time provide
automatic programming fixes, updates and upgrades to the Software (collectively,
the “Updates”). Updates may include installation of third party applications,
through automatic electronic dissemination and other means. You consent to such
Updates and agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement will apply to
all such Updates. If you should elect not to have your software updated at any
future time, PSD Tools shall not be responsible for any incompatibilities that
may arise on your system and Computer.
Privacy Policy. PSD Tools uses small files called "cookies" to track information
useful in the operation of the Software. One cookie is used to gather data
regarding Software usage, such as the number of users. While your numeric "IP
address" is available to these cookies, the cookies have no way of associating
any data collected with your name, email address, or information that identifies
you personally. No cookie used by the Software collects or distributes personal
information to third parties for marketing purposes. Please be aware that PSD
Tools is not responsible for the privacy practices of the suppliers of the
Content and your use of such Content will be subject to terms of use and/or
privacy statements as provided by the suppliers of such Content. PSD Tools
encourages you to read the privacy statements of each and every website that
provides Content and collects personally identifiable information. This privacy
policy applies solely to information collected by the Software. PSD Tools
reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. If PSD Tools
decides to change our Privacy Policy, PSD Tools will post these changes here so
that you will always know what information PSD Tools gathers, how PSD Tools
might use that information, and whether PSD Tools will disclose it to anyone. If
you have further questions regarding our privacy practices, please contact
support@psdtools.com .
Ownership. You acknowledge and agree that the Software is owned and copyrighted
by PSD Tools or its third party suppliers. Your license confers no title or
ownership in the Software and is not a sale of any rights in the Software. All
ownership rights remain in PSD Tools or its third party suppliers, as the case
may be.
Copies. You may only make one copy of the object code of the Software solely for
backup or archival purposes or when copying is an essential step in the
authorized use of the Software. You must reproduce all copyright and other
proprietary or restricted rights notices in the original Software on all
authorized copies. You may not copy any of the enclosed books or printed
materials which are part of the Software.
Additional Restrictions. Except to the extent permitted above, you may not:
permit other individuals to use the Software; permit concurrent use of the
Software; modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create
derivative works based on the Software; copy (including copying onto a bulletin
board or similar system) the Software other than as specified above; rent,
lease, grant a security interest in, or otherwise transfer rights to the
Software except as set forth in “Transfer” below; modify, disable, attempt to
circumvent, or otherwise interfere with any License Enforcement Mechanisms (and
you acknowledge that any attempt to do so may be a violation of applicable law)
or remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Software. If you are using
the Software in any country in the European Community, the prohibition against
modifying, translating, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling or
creating derivative works based on the Software does not affect your rights
under any legislation implementing the E.C. Council Directive on the Legal
Protection of Computer Programs.
Transfer. You may transfer your license to the Software only upon the terms of
this section. You must deliver the original and all complete, partial or
electronically stored copies of the Software and related documentation to the
transferee. You may not retain any copies of the Software or related
documentation, and any copies you have made which you have not transferred to
the transferee you must destroy. The transferee must accept these Terms as a
condition of the transfer. Your license will automatically terminate upon any
transfer of the Software. You have no right to sublicense, loan, rent or lease
the Software.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE OR AT A
NOMINAL COST, AND ACCORDINGLY IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the Software is borne by
you. Should the Software prove defective, you and not PSD Tools assume the
entire cost of any service and repair. This disclaimer of warranty constitutes
an essential part of this Agreement. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSIONS
OF AN IMPLIED WARRANTY, SO THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU AND YOU MAY HAVE
OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY BY JURISDICTION.
Because software is inherently complex and may not be completely free of errors,
you are advised to verify and back up your work. Additionally, PSD Tools does
not guarantee compatibility between the Software and any future versions of the
Software.
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNDER NO LEGAL THEORY, TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL PSD
TOOLS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY MONEY DAMAGES, WHETHER
DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, COVER, RELIANCE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
EVEN IF PSD TOOLS SHALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES,
OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. IN THE EVENT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE
FOREGOING, PSD TOOLS IS FOUND LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES FROM ANY CAUSE
WHATSOEVER, AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE), PSD TOOLS’S LIABILITY
TO YOU WILL BE LIMITED TO $1. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THIS LIMITATION AND
EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Export Controls. None of the Software or underlying information or technology
may be downloaded or otherwise exported or reexported (i) into (or to a national
or resident of) any country to which the U.S. has embargoed goods; or (ii) to
anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals
or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Denial Orders. By downloading or
using the Software, you are agreeing to the foregoing and you are representing
and warranting that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national
or resident of any such country or on any such list. In addition, you are
responsible for complying with any local laws in your jurisdiction which may
impact your right to import, export or use the Software, and you represent that
you have complied with any regulations or registration procedures required by
applicable law to make this license enforceable.
U.S. Government End Users. The Software is a “commercial item,” as that term is
defined in 48 C.F.R. 12.101 (Oct. 1995), consisting of “commercial computer
software” and “commercial computer software documentation,” as such terms are
used in 48 C.F.R. 12.212 (Sept. 1995). Consistent with 48 C.F.R. 12.212 and 48
C.F.R. 227.7202-1 through 227.7202-4 (June 1995), all U.S. Government End Users
acquire the Software with only those rights set forth herein
Term. Your license under this Agreement is effective until terminated. You may
terminate this license at any time. PSD Tools may terminate this Agreement
immediately if you breach any of the provisions of this Agreement. Upon any such
termination or expiration, you must discontinue all use of the Software, and
immediately uninstall the Software together with the destruction of all copies.
The provisions of this Agreement (other than your license to use the Software)
shall survive the termination of the license, or the termination or expiration
of this Agreement.
Uninstalling the Software. In order to uninstall the Software, you will need to
run the removal executable. You can get this program by contacting
Support@PSDTools.com You may also be able to remove the program using any of the
following methods:
Via “Add/Remove Programs”:
Click “Start”, Settings, Control Panel
Click “Add/Remove Programs”
Locate the “buddylinks.net Messaging Integration” option and click “Remove”.
Click “Yes” on the prompt.
Via a website link:
Navigate to http://www.buddylinks.net/uninstall.exe
Choose “Run” or “Open” when the download window appears.
The uninstallation process should take effect immediately though in rare cases
it may be necessary to restart your Instant Messaging Client or computer.
Disabling the Software. You may also choose to leave the program on your
computer but disable its behavior at any time:
Navigate to “Start”, “Programs”, “buddylinks.net”, “buddylinks.net
Configuration”
Uncheck the “Use buddylinks.net technology to send fun links to my friends!”
box, if checked
Click “Close”
To re-enable the buddylinks.net technology, navigate to the same link, check the
aforementioned box and click “Close”.
Changes should take effect immediately or, in rare cases, upon restart of your
Instant Messaging Client or computer. If you experience difficulties with the
Software or the uninstall process e-mail support@psdtools.com or
support@buddylinks.net for assistance.
Controlling Law and Severability. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between you and PSD Tools with reference to this transaction. This
Agreement will be governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
USA, except for that body dealing with conflicts of law. The application to this
Agreement of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International
Sale of Goods is hereby expressly excluded. In the event of any dispute
involving this Agreement, PSD Tools and you each consent to exclusive
jurisdiction and venue in either the state or federal courts in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and agrees that the prevailing party shall be entitled to its
reasonable attorney fees and costs. In the event any provision of this Agreement
shall be deemed unenforceable, void or invalid, such provision shall be modified
so as to make it valid and enforceable, and as so modified the entire Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect. No decision, action or inaction by PSD
Tools shall be construed to be a waiver of any rights or remedies available to
it.