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Viewpoint: AOL's force-installed spyware
Computing.Net, from February 2004: "Both AOL's internet software and the AOL Instant Messenger program (AIM) are force installing unwanted software called Viewpoint Media Player on people's computers." I've just been subjected to my first Viewpoint pop-up, an invitation to update a program I never knew I had and never used. Computing.Net's story describes Viewpoint as spyware. Apparently, uninstalling Viewpoint could make AOL Instant Messenger stop working properly. This is the first thing that's ever made me want to investigate AOL IM alternatives such as Yahoo! Messenger. Interestingly, the PC where Viewpoint's pop-up appeared was running Windows ME. I've had no such pop-ups yet on PCs running Windows XP or Windows 2000.
UPDATE: Viewpoint may fall short of deserving the spyware label, but it's still software that doesn't play very nice. Details here.
Posted on September 4, 2004 at 09:05 AM in Securing the Net | Permalink
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Comments
IT happens on Windows 2000. IS there a way to prevent this from reoccuring?????
Posted by: jeff at Sep 16, 2004 8:23:35 AM
I run XP and it did it to me... Is there anyway to uninstall without getting rid of AIM? (There isn't that option in the program files folder for the viewpoint)
Posted by: Sara at Sep 25, 2004 3:10:22 PM
There are programs that will allow you to use the AIM network, and keep your AIM name, but without using AIM itself. Trillian is an excellent one, which I use myself. You might also try Jabber, which I'm about to give a try, too.
Posted by: Filksinger at Sep 28, 2004 1:25:44 PM
when you install aim, i think there are 3 checkmark boxes that you can uncheck to stop it from installing viewpoint, some gaming program supported by aol, and then another thing too. i unchecked these before i installed aim and i havnt had a single problem yet. this hopefully will solve your problems too. ~Bryan~
Posted by: bryan at Oct 9, 2004 3:24:20 PM
I unchecked those three and I get the pop up as well.
Posted by: Jess at Oct 19, 2004 8:40:00 AM
I was concerned about AIM, too. Found this site: http://aftermath.dyndns.org:8888/~aimadhack/ Provides "add-on" to specific version of AIM to plug security holes and tighten up performance. It's great!
-Larry.
Posted by: Larry at Oct 21, 2004 4:59:16 PM
Bryan,
The current 3 checkmark boxes you referred to (during AIM installation) are: AIM Games support, AIM WeatherBug, and AIM Pop Up Blocker. I believe the last time I installed AIM, these were also the checkboxes. As I recall, I only installed WeatherBug. I believe Viewpoint came in via that installation. So the lesson to all others may be, don't install WeatherBug.
Posted by: Scott Mace at Oct 28, 2004 8:21:25 AM
I use trillian. I installed AIM (unchecking all the boxes. All I wanted was the messenger) and logged in a single time. This was sometime about a week and a half ago. I learned I had the viewpoint media player after having a particularly nasty time getting the media player and toolbar off my roommate's computer. The key to uninstalling the taskbar, or any parts that are stubborn about going away, is to completely exit AIM.
Posted by: Erica at Nov 5, 2004 4:09:18 PM
I noticed viewpoint on my computer yesterday when Norton internet security asked if i should let it access the internet. I have had AOL on my computer for years (i don't think it's too bad really - i must be in the minority!), and I have never come across this before. I don't think AOL installed it because viewpoint only appeared after I let Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 do an update. So I think Acrobat is the culprit. I am still very pi55ed off about this spyware thing being put on my computer without my permission or knowledge though. Viewpoint is trying to get permission to connect every 5 minutes and I've heard that using control panel/remove programmes doesn't completely remove this unwanted software. Adaware didn't detect it so I'm gonna try spybot on it tonight. Has anyone successfully killed viewpoint? if so, what did you use?
Posted by: fred at Dec 20, 2004 2:00:43 AM
All of a sudden today, I started getting these popup warnings from Symantec that Viewpoint and View Manager.exe wanted access to leave my computer. it suggested to block it, so I did because I had no idea what it is. Luckily, a friend directed me here and I am glad I put a permanent block on it through Norton. I went and looked for it and found it sitting there but was afraid to click on anything in it. I never used AOL or looked into it. I have Win XPSP2 and don't use any instant messaging. I hope I have stopped it from running in and out of my computer through Norton's block. I don't know if I should go and try to delete the folders for all Viewpoint info.
Posted by: Doreen at Dec 26, 2004 2:47:53 PM
Viewpoint is NOT spyware or adware. You guys have gone wayy overboard. You can disable the Viewpoint Media Player (VMP) from contacting Viewpoint (updating itself) by going in your control panel, double-clicking Viewpoint, and tell it not to auto-update their software! (Something I don't recommend.) It will no longer send anything over the internet, but will still let you see cool 3D Viewpoint media, flash or video through their player.
The Viewpoint toolbar will stop sending other search results to viewpoint if you simply click the "options" menu, click "searching" and disable the "competitive search" option! (Which allows you to get viewpoint search results AND results from whatever other engine you use AT THE SAME TIME. If your options menu doesn't work due to having WinXP SP2, go to: http://search.viewpoint.com/toolbar/features_2.html and download the SP2 Fix for the toolbar.
Viewpoint (VMP) is a key component of AOL (I've beta tested AOL for 10 years) and AIM. It's the tech. behind AOL 3D SuperBuddies, Adobe Atmosphere, Sony's 3D product models, Ford, Dodge, Toyota and many others. It is totally harmless, and works like all other media players.
AOL, AIM, Adobe and others include the player because their software won't work without it. All data sent to the player is completely anonymous, and there is no way for Viewpoint to gather any personal info on you.
From http://www.liutilities.com: ViewMgr.exe is responsible for managing/updating (VMP)’s components. Similar to Flash, Quicktime, etc. Security Risk (0-5): 0
Read article: http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/ViewMgr/
AOL doesn't want to install spyware on your computer, it would be bad for their buisness. AOL 9.0 scans for spyware because its what their customers want: clean PCs. They wouldn't start installing spyware because it would hurt them if they did.
Viewpoint used to be Metacreations, makers of 3D and photo programs such as Bryce, Poser, RayDream Studio, Carrara, Kai's Power tools, Painter, and much more. Viewpoint used to be called Metastream: a very cool way to view 3D content on the web. They changed the name to Viewpoint to concentrate on 3D content for the web, and sold off their software products to Corel, Curious software, Adobe and others. I've always loved their cool 3D products and even 3D models on the web. They have some of the most realistic rendering I've seen, and what was very inexpensive software.
The Viewpoint Toolbar and VMP are very useful and cool programs. It's time to stop calling them bad names. Visit http://www.viewpoint.com and see what neat 3D models and interactive media they create. It's the coolest stuff on the web!
Best,
-Zaphod
Posted by: Zaphod at Jan 24, 2005 5:49:54 PM
dont give me this shit aol is pants and tries to control your pc.
If I didn't know I installed it I dont want it simple as. I should sue aol for hacking my computer
Posted by: aolshite at Jan 25, 2005 6:57:38 AM
I agree - if you are not clear about something you plan on putting on my computer than don't do it - I only put AOL IM on my computer to touch base with one friend - then suddenly - I have stuff being installed on my machine - AOL has finally pissed me off - no more - no more - no more. Never before was I on the anti-aol bandwagon, but now I am driving the train!
Posted by: Tman at Feb 15, 2005 12:20:54 AM
Viewpoint is not only installed with AOL/AIM, I have seen it on machines with neither. This crap is spyware/adware, not necessarily malicious but it is garbage. I don't want it using bandwidth on my PC and I really don't want it on if i didn't choose to have it.
AOL sucks
Viewpoint AKA Unicast sucks
Doreen obviously works for AOL and sucks also
Posted by: viewpoint sucks at Feb 15, 2005 12:03:58 PM
Sorry Doreen, read the post wrong
Zaphod Sucks
Posted by: viewpoint sucks at Feb 15, 2005 12:07:34 PM
Add Space.com to the list of Viewpoint installers. At least they let you know about it up front.
The joke is, there is a "No Spyware" logo on the Viewpoint install page. That is really sick.
Viewpoint is SPYWARE. Any software which records your internet activity and reports it to a third party, whether it includes your name and personal info or not, is SPYWARE. Period.
I will never use any product which includes or utilizes Viewpoint in any way.
There are so many excellent products which have the same functionality without the intrusion. It is a shame so many otherwise respectable vendors are opting to go the spyware route.
Posted by: rgriffis at Feb 15, 2005 9:52:00 PM
Been trying to get rid of Viewpoint in AOL9 - think this works - go to AOL9 install folder, look for folder called 'Jiti' - rename this to ex-Jiti or similar.
In Add/Remove - Uninstall Viewpoint Media Player. Also Quicktime, Real, if you want.
Delete Viewpoint folders in Program Files.
When you start AOL ignore warning about missing files.
That's it.
Posted by: nedwob at Feb 25, 2005 5:46:38 AM
Never had AOL on my computer. Never use AIM. Got an obviously misleading system tray window that informed me my ViewPoint had been updated. Since I am a IT tech and must keep my machines and my network immaculate, this is something new to me that I have not seen previously. ViewPoint window had two or three buttons to go forward, either with the update or to their website, and none to exit. I had to close it via Task Manager. This type of behavior has all the hallmarks of malware. Even if it is not parasitical, it should not be pushed on anyone. I will never use it for that reason alone.
Posted by: Ed at Mar 15, 2005 10:16:26 AM
Confirmed... Viewpoint is installed with latest AIM. I unticked all checkboxes to disable the additional installation of ANYTHING
Posted by: tom at Mar 16, 2005 10:07:13 PM
Zaphod is almost certainly an employee or agent from Viewpoint. I've seen his posts over-praising viewpoint on other forums. They read like cultist theology.
Don't care if you can turn off features -- I didn't ask for it to be installed in the first place, so I can't trust it. And who else needs to download a PROGRAM to uninstall? And does it really uninstall if you do?
Spyware/malware/suckware. A pox on Viewpoint.
Posted by: Doug at Apr 1, 2005 11:08:40 AM
VIEWPOINT SUCKS. I don't care if it turns water into wine and feeds every hungry child on the planet this afternoon - it was not requested or authorized yet I got it. And I do not use AOL... but I do use Adobe Acrobat 6.0. Zaphod does not get it. It was uninvited and thus unwelcome regardless of it's features. Next stop... Adobe...
Posted by: Kenny at Apr 4, 2005 11:00:27 AM
I uninstalled Viewpoint from Add/Remove Programs and it seemed to work just fine (after I got a warning from Norton). The big benefit I noticed immediately was that I stopped getting all those annoying flying ads whenever I moused over my AOL Buddy window. That was something new with 5.9 that I'd never seen before, and boy was it annoying!!
Posted by: Barrie at Apr 6, 2005 8:36:44 AM
Hey thanks to all. You've helped me immensely.
I must have previously given this Viewpoint crap permissions w/ my NIS bc I just installed ZoneAlarm suite and today was the 1st time V.p. tried to call out.
CHRIST it pisses me off the way AOL does business. Like so many have said (and like you, Zaphod, need to understand!) no matter how wonderful an app might b it should never b running on my machine without my knowledge and definitely should never b trying to get to the net!
AOL seems to want to make everything about pc's sooooo ez a child could use one but so far they just haven't learned it CANT B DONE. I once had a customer who had been using AOL as their isp. He had switched to a cable provider and once I got him running str8 ie6 he couldn't believe how much he'd been missing. DEATH TO AOL.
Posted by: agFinder at Apr 10, 2005 12:36:06 PM
Zaphod is an obvious shill.
This is spyware.
Posted by: a at Apr 23, 2005 10:41:06 PM
I do not use AOL or AIM. This evening I installed Viewpoint toolbar when a pop-up suggested I update Viewpoint. I thought Viewpoint was part of my fancy Logitech media keyboard I installed a few months ago. My mistake. When I saw the Viewpoint toolbar and that it captured what I entered into my Google toolbar, I freaked. I did not invite that toolbar.
I deleted the toolbar and two other Viewpoint programs. (I hope). I looked on my full system backup drive. The two other Viewpoint programs were there when I did the last full system backup in March. I do not know when I let them on my machine. I thought I was good at keeping my machine with programs I invite. Lesson learned.
Thanks for these postings. In my mind, the pop-up was very misleading and never mentioned a toolbar. However, all three programs seemed easy to remove.
I notice that Viewpoint says that it is headquarted in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Perhpas this is something that New York's Attorney General Mr. Eliot Spitzer can look into for us.
Posted by: joe at May 9, 2005 6:41:57 PM
