TeMerc
join:2004-01-22
Phoenix, AZ
| AOL/WildTangent/ViewPoint Media Player
Not to beat an old horse, which we all did last week, regarding a thread I started, after being blindsided by AOL IM, ver. 5.5 ,but here is some more info:
»www.dozleng.com/updates/index.ph···tid=2194 |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
3 edits | I haven't used AIM for a few (I use Trillian) but when I started AIM last night, I got the "Newer Version Available" nag screen.
After your thread last week and now this...Bye Bye AIM!
EDIT: ...and another thing, this AIM virus crap.... Screw this!
EDIT TWO: WTF is a "Program Group"? |
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ToastGod S
join:2001-11-24
Bloomington, IN
| reply to TeMerc
I use aim only because I hate setting up trillian over and over, and here at work it's easy to just use aim and be done with it.
Does anyone know Viewpoint's servers? I think they'll be added to my "Unfriendlies" rule in my firewall.
Thanks. |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Varna, BG
| reply to TeMerc
I am glad you brought this up.
A couple of weeks ago, I found Viewpoint Media Player installed as well. I did not install it. At the request of some members of this forum, I installed AIM and Trillian, and removed both within a week.
However, I did save some of the reg entry names I found for Viewpoint Media Player prior to deletion:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{03F998B2-0E00-11D3-A498-00104B6EB52E}
Default: Viewpoint Media Player
Component ID: Viewpoint
IsInstalled: IsInstalled
Locale: EN
Version: 3,0,15,16
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{1B00725B-C455-4DE6-BFB6-AD540AD427CD}
Default: Viewpoint Media Player
Component ID: Viewpoint
IsInstalled: IsInstalled
Locale: EN
Version: 3,0,15,16
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@viewpoint.com/VMP
Description: Viewpoint Media Player for Mozilla
Product Name: Viewpoint Media Player
Vendor: Viewpoint Corporation
So now my question, is it coming from AOL and Mozilla?
--
“Let the heart be quiet and hear out the mind.
In that quiet listening, she will discover her true beauty and her deepest secrets will awaken.” |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA | Mozilla too?!? Bye Bye Mozilla! |
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kpatz
MY HEAD A SPLODE
Premium
join:2003-06-13
Manchester, NH
| I don't think it's Mozilla's fault... Viewpoint likely includes a Mozilla plugin that gets installed if it finds Mozilla on the machine. Flash Player does the same thing.
So there's no need to uninstall Mozilla, they aren't involved.
BTW, the Viewpoint player is used to play those annoying video ads in the AIM ad bar. Removing it is a good thing and AIM will still work without it. |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Varna, BG
| reply to dadkins
I would suggest you do a complete registry search for Viewpoint Media Player, as I mentioned, there were a number of other reg entries I deleted that I did not save. I grabbed the last few as hindsight during the deletion process. 
For Windows XP:
Start > Run > type in regedit > Edit > Find > type in Viewpoint > click Find next.
In the right column of regedit, click on the values under "Name" to make sure it is Viewpoint Media Player, and not an entry with a similar name before deleting the entire key.
Continue clicking Find next until the screen says "Finished searching the registry."
If you find any entries, right click on the main key before it is deleted, and Copy key name to notepad, so others will know where to look as well.
--
“Let the heart be quiet and hear out the mind.
In that quiet listening, she will discover her true beauty and her deepest secrets will awaken.” |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Varna, BG
| reply to kpatz
I agree kpatz  . I am not about to uninstall Mozilla, just Viewpoint. It may be installed through something as simple as viewing a news story that uses Viewpoint Media Player as its default.
--
“Let the heart be quiet and hear out the mind.
In that quiet listening, she will discover her true beauty and her deepest secrets will awaken.” |
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TeMerc
join:2004-01-22
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to Sparrow
Thank you Crystal, I did a search for both Viewpoint and WildTangent, and came up with same string, , regarding their respective websites, can these be deleted?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains\viewpoint.com
Ditto for wildtangent. Thanks!!!;) |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Varna, BG
| re:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains\viewpoint.com
I don't have it in my registry anymore. Personally, I would delete it. |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| reply to TeMerc
Can someone please enlighten me: Is there any real security issue with ViewPoint Media Player or do people just resent it because it gets installed in somewhat sneaky fasion as part of AIM/AOL? My wife and kids like some of the AOL features so I keep the AOL software on board. I was under the impression that the VMP was the integral player within AOL used for certain media files. Is it dangerous? Is it spyware? Will AOL work properly w/o it? I'm confused.
BTW, with regard to AIM I use version 5.2.3277 in conjunction with the last free version of DeadAIM and get no ads or popups. What harm is VMP doing? Just curious.
--
OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
| "The software creates a unique tracking number ("Customer Unique Identifier" is their term). This number and other information is transmitted, without asking, to Viewpoint servers. The software downloads updates and installs them on the computer, also without asking."
Sound like spyware to me.  |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| OK, I just read the whole explanation here. Even with a "unique tracking number" it would seem they could only track info about the media content played with their software. If VMP only plays content dished out by AOL/AIM, what's the big deal if they collect data about how their own media content is used? Doesn't sound particularly sinister. I wouldn't think there's any way to personally identify me as an individual. Besides, isn't it easy enough to deny access with a basic free firewall like ZoneAlarm? I don't like the idea of automatic updates without permission, but I still don't understand what terrible thing Viewpoint does. Maybe I'm just naive.
--
OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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Sparrow
Crystal Sky
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Varna, BG
| Hi Steely
Let's just say we're a paranoid bunch here, and like to control our OS, rather than having progs download without at least asking for permission first.
The same problem exists with many programs. In the end, (and as it should be) it is the individual user's choice what to keep and what to dump. Personally, when I find a prog that has downloaded without any warning or input from me, I dump it and reconsider later. From my point of view, "Guilty before proven innocent."
Sometimes it is just a catch 22. Your call. |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| Just trying to be objective for a moment, I look at it this way. Most of us have been using AIM now for what, maybe five years? Nobody I know has paid one penny for the software itself or access to the AIM network. The software is constantly updated and features added, many of them useful (file transfers come to mind). You can talk to whomever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. You can create as many screen name/identities as you want. As far as I know there's no limit to the amount of buddies you can have. Like you say, all of this is optional. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of this very robust free program, I think you have to expect to pay the piper on some level at some point. In the greater scheme of things, even just in the realm of computer/internet security, this is a relatively trivial matter in my opinion. If one decides AIM's tactics are too invasive or offensive, they can try an alternate IM program like Trillian, modify AIM, or choose not to use Instant Messaging at all.
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OOL Forum addict....and where the hell is our STATUS PAGE??? |
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Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA
| I hate that!!!!!
Everytime i installed a new version of AIM,i have to UNINSTALL VIEWPOINT MEDIA PLAYER!!!!!!!
#1) What the hell is it?????
#2) Why is it installed?????
I dont install other versions of AIM,5.2.327 is my best friend 
The Dude |
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TeMerc
join:2004-01-22
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to TeMerc
Well, yes, I did delete both strings for WildTangent & Viewpoint.
As far as AOL being free, and not paying all these years, so what? The point is, when AOL decides, and its more likely they will, to install even MORE aggresive spyware, do you think they are gonna TELL YOU??? No, this is just one way to get a'foot in the proverbial door'. once they gain your trust, WHAMO! Next thing ya know, your getting specific emails/solicitations, designed at exactly what you 'just happen to be surfing'?
No thanks, I'll delete EVERY peice of what the fine folks over at Spybot S&D, AdAware,SpyWare Blaster,SpyWare Guard, IE SPYADS, WinPatrol say is or mite even be ad/mal/spyware.
And if theres ANYONE who can't be trusted, its those clowns over at AOHELL. But hey, thats just me.
--
Remember............You can NEVER be OVERPROTECTED!! |
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chachazz
Premium
join:2003-12-14 | reply to Sparrow
Thanks for the removal instructions Crystal Sky. I found Viewpoint Media sometime ago in the registry via RegSeeker and wondered what it was, how it got here and just how many media players I need! |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to dadkins
Not if I don't let it past my firewall. It isn't going to
phone home with anything if I deny it access through Sygate.
I can really see no reason to allow it access if the only
thing it serves as is a vehicle for unsolicited advertising.
If it does this without clear and informed consent (in the
EULA or in the company's privacy policy), then it most
certainly is spyware.
--
"Kayura or Badamon, whichever you are, you should know that I will never give up this battle. By the will of the Ancient, I shall succeed!" - Shuten (Anubis) from the Ronin Warriors. |
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Randy Bell
Premium
join:2002-02-24
Santa Clara, CA
| reply to dadkins
I think WildTangent is more closely "spyware" than the other .. but even in WT's case, you can uninstall that component without affecting functionality of the newest AIM 5.5 instant message client .. so, I guess I fail to see what's worth getting worked up about .. but I understand some are very sensitive to anything that doesn't first ask permission to be installed. I agree with the other comment, that freeware can be expected to have some "ad" type of support else it wouldn't remain freeware forever .. just look at jv16 Power Tools, for example, it used to be free .. but no more .. JMHO. 
--
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13) |
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