More Awesome Than You!

Okay, I have been hearing murmurings about spyware in Pets.

First: WTF? Assholes.

Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I was hoping we could talk about thwarting any spyware. I don't want to pay money for something that will report on me. That's what surveys are for. AssHOLES.  >:(

Anyway, is this really for real? What can the average boob like me do to stop/remove this idiocy? Currently, I am using Ad-Aware SE, a free program. Is the typical cookie/spyware finder going to be enough? Is there a file we can rip out? Any other steps?

Also, it looks like Gaming Horizon reported on the spyware and then edited their article. Possibly at EA's request? When you do a google search for "sims 2 pets spyware" a Gaming Horizon article is the first result, but then I can find no mention of this on the site. But the google cache on the search results page shows something different. Otherwise I can turn up no other information about this.

(http://iasshole.org/oldass/iasshole/petsspyware.jpg)

Usually I expect corporations to fuck me gently with a chainsaw. But this is really chapping my ass. If I can confirm this, I am going to write EA a nasty letter. And then I am going to become a pirate. Bittorrent Ahoy!

Apart from the phoning home (which can be easily fixed by blocking Sims2EP4.exe from connecting to the Internet), there is no other spyware in Pets. The spyware is contained within Battlefield 2142, another EA game. See the "Oh great... (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,5939.0.html)" thread in RL for more info.

Phoning home *IS* spyware, Venusy.

Yes, I accidentally omitted the word "other".

I use a fairly simple free product called Zonealarm which tells me when something is attempting to access the internet for any reasona and allows me to block it "this time" or block "always"

How do you block programs from phoning home?

Firewall

Well, yes, duh. But they were taking about making a specific block to TS2EP4.

It varies from firewall to firewall. Most Windoze firewalls will honk when a new program tries to access the Internet. This is when you say HELL NO WE WON'T GO.

What JM said. And, if you think it passed you by and you allowed it without realizing, then you should be able to 'view allowed' on just about any firewall program and check it to block.

If that has already happened, it's too late. They know everything about you already and are coming to get you.

I checked my program control in ZoneAlarm Pro and saw The Sims 2 EP3 listed. I have ZAP set so that any program attempting to access the 'Net has to ask my permission first, but I think I'll reset the TS2 options to "ARE YOU CRAZY? ABSOLUTELY NOT!" or something similar.

On the other hand, Picasa is listed too.

Use a good firewall (such as ZAP or the free version, not Windoze), set your preferences according to the level of your paranoia, and you should be relatively safe.

It's not paranoia when they really are out to get you.

Just a note that the in-game content browser will not be available should you forbid all internet access to The Sims 2 executables.
Sufficient allowed permissions for Sims2/Sims2EPx.exe Exchange access would be TCP outgoing server connections on port 80.
This allows the program to obtain web pages through the HTTP protocol and possibly download the Sims2Pack files.

Always be sure on the authenticity of software providers and common sense on questioning whether an application requires internet-access.

I personally have never used the content browser or autoPatch updates and prefer good old fashioned manual browsing.
Routers make great physical hardware firewalls and are commonly able to filter network traffic efficiently. :)

Now here is where hackers could actually perform a public service for once.

Shouldn't it be possible to hack things so that the "phone-home" data is loaded with some...er...less-than-friendly code?

After all, in Soviet Russia, end-user spywares you!

Even the stock SP2 Windows XP firewall will prevent TS2 from phoning home. Just remove it from your Exceptions list. I think it does add it to the list automagically now, because I haven't seen the amount of whiney sheep complaining that they can't upload to the Exchange lately. (I used to C&P instructions to add it to the list 20 times a day)

So yeah, BTW, you also won't be able to upload to the exchange if you don't let TS2 through the firewall.  Most here probably don't care, but it's still something to remember.

As for the rest, it's not like the autoupdate actually updates anything. All it does is pop up and you to tell you there's an update available, and then closes down the game and opens up your browser to the download page.  ::)

Yes, it is possible. In theory. Making pigs fly is also possible, but don't count on it.  :P

The problem really lies in the fact that EA's spyware sits in your kernel-level memory doing who-knows what. So, unless you know how and when specifically the phoning home works, you are simply not safe.

Bottom line: a firewall will not prevent EA from spying on you. At a bare minimum, you need a proxy and a white list. Or you can do what I do: pull the plug altogether.

...like a Hoover.  ;)

I agree.  Wasn't sure if anyone else saw the "coded" message. Although I would add an "s" at the end.  ;)  :D

Ah crap. No choice now.... *moves to a small island off the coast of Africa*

They're already waiting for you on the island. Remember: they know everything already.

Better pick a new hiding place. And fast...hear those black helicopters approaching?

What exactly would EA be looking for when phoning home?  What kind of information would they be sending or the like?  Does anyone have even a basic idea why they would do this?
I actually, very stupidly, ordered the downloadable version of Pets, and now everytime I open the game EA makes me connect and "login" to play the stupid thing.  Does anyone know of a way around this?  I mean, I bought it and it has all of my registration data in my computer.....
Now, I really wish I had just gone and bought the boxed version after I've been reading all of this stuff about Spyware. I freely offered up my computer and connection to them, unwittingly, by buying it this way.....I bent over and took a type of spyware that I now NEED to play my game!
EEEK
 :'(

To get around the idiot downloader starting up, you need to happen upon the executable file that people are using who didn't dowload it quite so legally.  ;)

Then save the idiot DRM one in a safe place, so you can pop it back in when you want to install the next Lies and Propaganda pack (and maybe for patches).  I tracked down a new executable for GLS because of that. I'd downloaded the HP, and it was fine- no DRM crap, but now they are all paranoid and pissy about it, so never again.

I don't know much about computers, so I don't understand why a firewall wouldn't be able to block EA's spyware?  I have The Sims 2 and all of its expansions listed as blocked in the Program Control section of ZoneAlarm, and under Alerts & Logs it says that it blocked the Sims from sending data out this afternoon (darn thing tried four times!).  After reading your post I looked at the ZoneAlarm support pages and they do say that it monitors the kernel-level (that's for version 6.5 though, so it may be new).

Network drivers are hooked in at the kernel level. That's how a firewall works. It intercepts messages sent to the network driver. This is also how kernel-level spyware works.

It isn't safe to assume that software firewalls are doing precisely what you tell them. It probably is, but I can only say that with 90% assurance.

I use the free ZoneAlarm here at my office.  Like ZAP, it has a very handy option to right-click the mouse and choose "stop all Internet activity" or "engage Internet lock."     Works quite nicely.

THank you so much for the advice, katenigma.  I will seek out the underworld tools for my legally owned software.
That is great advice, indeed!

Software firewalls are good, but only a first line of defense. You also need a second device, a physically independent machine not susceptible to influence, like a Linux machine, ALSO controlling access. Spyware has lately attempted to hijack and disrupt firewalls on system, but they cannot do this to an outside machine running an independent OS, especially if you never connect from the Windoze machine to the Linux machine, thus preventing them from catching passwords.

 :o I installed new EPs with the replacement, always have. Hopefully my computer won't go boom.

LOL and I put back the original, and my installation did go kaboom. LOL  But I just did what was suggested by the person who sent it to me.  :D

Oops, #29 was me under my girlfriend's account. SHE still uses her CDs. Weirdo. Except we downloaded Pets from the installer from hell. Sorta regretting that now.

Sorry, but without looking at the source code no one here can answer your questions. That's part of why spyware is such a problem. We don't know what it really does, how it gets triggered, nor what information they are transmitting. All we can do is surmise and be prepared for whatever it might be doing.

If you are equipped like Pescado or if you follow my advice (proxy w/an approved whitelist) you should be fine.

Thanks, everyone, for the info. I thought if we had one thread about this topic it might help. I feel more informed and more hopeless all at the same time.  :D

Perhaps we are lucky this time and only the downloaded version of the game is spyware.

If thats true, you know they are using that as a test for future expansions.

Even with all your ports open and infected with all the worst viruses, a serious security incident will not likely happen while you watch. The threat that you need to be concerned about is the one that takes you by surprise, the one that is triggered in some unknown fashion at an unknown time.

Like Dizzy I don't play while connected to the net; I don't feel I know enough about spywear or computers in general to add to this but Sims2 has always made me wary of playing while online.

Google Toolbar is known spyware. TS2 is slightly more clever, it disguises its spy-reporting as "good" activity, transmitting its encrypted spy payload only when you are duped into letting it onto the "exchange" or allow it to "check for updates". Don't be fooled, this is still spying, it's just cleverly hidden spying. Notice how it never actually finds any updates.

And what about MaxisEA's Content Manager tool (http://thesims2.ea.com/getcoolstuff/contentmanager.php)?

When you start scanning, it asks to connect to the internet to "get author information", which means that they have a database of the author guid fields that you can find on the packages.

Just where did they get that information?...  ::)

I never play sims while connected to the net.  But a weird thing happened to me with the first cd or maybe it was UNI.   I ran a spyware program and it said there were two spywares in my sims auto run.

  So I ran   %temp%   and deleted that file and I thought it was gone but when I scanned the EA disc, it was on it, in the auto run.    I wrote EA about it and they never did answer.    I said "Why are you selling cd's with spyware on them?"     Very strange.   8)

 I use a two different spyware programs now and they never pick up on any spyware for any of my sims discs  but I know they are lurking in there somewhere.   

How many copies of The Sims 2 and its EPs and SPs have EA sold?

And I'm supposed to be worried about them spying on me, personally?

Nah. I don't think I'm that special or important.

Nor is anyone else. Surely it's aggregate data they're after; and I personally think it's a good thing if they have accurate data on what sorts of setups their users are running. (Though it'd be infinitely nicer if they'd ask first...)

So long as they don't muck around with the core functions of my operating system, interfering with programs other than theirs, I can't bring myself to care.

As far as I can tell no disc version of The Sims 2 or its expansions contain spyware.
All versions do contain a user-settable option to "phone home" for updates, but this never activates unless the user choses to enable it.

I don't use DRM crippleware and can't comment on the downloader versions.

The autorun.exe and another file named something like autorungui.exe always regen if deleted.

If you use the spyware scanner to put a block on them, you'll probably notice problems starting the game up from disk.

Random thought: if these particular files are the spyware, then it's clever spyware indeed, because that would mean it's tied to the cd autorun. I wonder if you use an image, do you get the phone home?

Ive had the Digital DOwnlaod of Pets,and today,I got the Please Log In error :( And already Im sick of it  >:(

Do you think that if I get a 'normal' Sims2EP4.exe and replace that DRM 1, that it will work? ??? :-\
Where did you get your .exe from?
Also, whats a HP? ???


Sorry for the questions :p

Replacing your Sims2EP4.exe may work or not. I don't have the DRM version and therefore don't know if this works. Katenigma seems to think it will work.

HP = Holiday Pack/X-Mas pack, the first stuff pack (the one that didn't pretend to be a mini-expansion).

Have you updated from the "downloader" to "EA Link"?  ::) ::) ::)

Someone sent me the exe for GLS, and it worked fine, so I don't see why the same wouldn't be true for Pets. But it wasn't the normal one off the disk, I don't think. It was from a hacked version or mini-image or something. He sent it to me because I was bitching about the downloader starting up. I'll consult my source and see if I can get what you need.  I definitely didn't buy the downloader version of Pets- if I can't get the disk version of something from here on out, I won't get it at all!

I did update the license lastnight,with the EA Downloader,if thats what you mean..
Oh thats cool ;D Thanks :D

It's not called the  EA Downloader anymore- it's now called EA Link, and there is a completely new program that looks to be even clunkier and confusing than the downloader. I wonder if the update is what started your problems.

Anyway, my contact is using a clone, not a no-cd this time around, but check your PM box.  ;)  Just make sure to save the original exe(s) in a safe place in case you need to replace them for a patch or to install a new pack.

EA Link? Retarded name... ;)
I just saw the link in my Inbox,thanks :D
Is that 1 like, an image,or,? lol,im not very good with all this No CD things,lol! sorry
Will all the build tools etc be there after?

Thanks lots :D

Dizzy's comment came into play for me yesterday at my office, via an evil e-mail sent to a private account I use very rarely and only for business. Even though I read/receive in text, damn thing still attempted to download a file (presumably dealing with Windows) and it was only after I shut off Inernet access via ZoneAlarm was I able to delete the message. 

BTW, I did not open that mail and I do not use the Outlook Express preview pane, however, you have to change the layout options to completely shut off the preview pane.

Am now monitoring that account with a nifty little program I've used for years:  http://www.mailwasher.net/  It allows me to look into my inbox and even preview mail, without actually downloading it.

All it does is tell the game to start without looking for the disk. It doesn't disable anything. Otherwise, who would use it?  ;)

For mail, I've been using eprompter for almost 6 years now.  It's strictly text-only. I started using it when I weaned off of AOL so I could have something small running in the background to alert me to incoming mail.  I can delete spam and crap from the server without it ever touching my machine. Then if there's something that I need to reply to or that I can't read because it's in HTML with images and crap (rare, since no one I want to talk to is that annoying) I fire up Thunderbird, which is locked down as tight as I can manage.

I was just playing Oblivion, and the stupid "Link" thingie decided to update itself resulting in Oblivion being locked up so badly I had to warm boot out of it.   

This is at least the second time it's updated in two days, and it keeps giving me stupid messages about updates to games I have absolutely no interest in.

I take it if I uninstall the stupid Link thing I can't play Pets....

  >:(

I think on the first page, it tells how to set your firewall to block it safely.  Something like "block outgoing traffic on port 80," but double check it yourself.

I used the EA 'Link' to download th holiday pack, last year, then, being a renegade, got rid of the accursed downloader, and all worked shiny and fine for me...Of course, my hard drive crashed last week, and I had to deal with it once more, to reinstall...and now it constantly spams me with oh-so-exciting updates and waargh.

On the spyware issue, I tend to agree with KevinTMC, the fact that it's there leaves kind of a bad taste in my mouth, but I generally bask in the knowledge that I'm considerably not-awesome, and out of millions of players worldwide, EA don't really give a damn about the specifics of my doings, or about sabotaging my poor ropey computer, so I can't buy their games anymore...

Yes, you can't play Pets if you uninstall the darn thing. That is unless you switch out the exe. Would you like me to send you the link to where you can find the no-cd exe?

Or, if you just don't want it to start up while you're playing something else, you can take it out of your start up menu, so it's not running automatically unless you're playing Pets.

Nivaya, I have the original downloader version of the HP that doesn't require you to have the downloader/link installed to install or play, if you'd like it.  It's only 7 MB, so it will even get through most mail filters.  I burned that baby to disk as soon as I found the file.  ;)  I say screw EA and their DRM malware crap! If you bought the thing, you should be able to play it without having to run malware.

7 MB? The cd version is around 72 MB, did they cut out a bunch of stuff or something?

Ummm, okay, send me to RL, I obviously read that wrong.  ;)  ::) :-[

Katenigma, cheers muchly, but I actually have that backed up somewhere on an external hard drive......it's just the finding it that's the problem...>.< Thanks for the offer though! :D

I downloaded the alternate .exe, disabled the EA downloader with a couple of extra letters in the title, made sure my firewall rejected EA's attempts to connect, and voila! No more retarded downloader.

Is there anyone would would be willing to send me the link to the alternate .exe?
As I mentioned above, I really don't like EA trying to log me into the site everytime I try to play the game.  If I block it in my firewall, it just keeps trying to connect over and over again.
Since it's a legitimate version, I have no problem asking for it.
Have pity on a fool who purchased the WRONG version of the game! (And will never do so again)

I have kept the .eac file, but is there anything else I'd need to do when/if the next expansion comes out?  If EALink (downloader) is no longer installed at that point, will I need to reinstall it before I upgrade? Or will I have to download the whole game again from EA.  I can't seem to find any info about the EA Downloadables online...Maybe it's just too new at this point.

One more question for anyone who  might be in the know, do you think once there is a new EP (which I will purchase as a Boxed version) the downloader will still have to be installed to play the the game with the downloadable Pets installed?

Thank you many times over to anyone who'd be willing to share some insight.

How'd you get that rotten google toolbar to disappear from firefox? It's been bugging me for a while and now I heard it's spyware, I'd love to be able to kick it off my browser.

Tools > Add-ons (Extensions for 1.5 and below) > Right click on the Google Toolbar extension > Uninstall

Google toolbar extension is not in the add-ons. Damnit, why must my comp always be 'different'  >:(

Thanks for the info anyway.

Here are some instructions for removing the toolbar:

http://www.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/answer.py?answer=9231&topic=915

Hope that helps!