Virus Removal Without Breaking EULA

[fincoder]

I suppose if you have the client run the installer themselves and check the box agreeing to the EULA it's "legal"ish to put AVG on there. Just can't do it for them.

So it isn't legal to install any software on the client's behalf? Don't techs do this all the time? Most software has an EULA. Some customer's bring a new computer with software (e.g. bought from an appliance store) and ask for it to be set up with username, updates, software, data transfer, email setup. This involves the tech agreeing to many EULAs on the client's behalf.

 

[OaksLabs]

Here's the list of applications I consider safe

1. OaksLabs Removal Tool
   My utility is free for residential and commercial use. It's not a replacement for a malware scanner, but it has it's place.
2. Unhide
   No EULA, so no approval/disapproval of commercial use.
3. Rkill
   Same situation as Unhide (same author)
4. TDSSKiller
   EULA allows commercial use
5. JRT
   No EULA to approve/disapprove commercial use
6. AdwCleaner
   No prohibitions on commercial use in EULA
   

You'll have to decide what to do in the case of no EULA's. If commercial use isn't banned, then I would assume that the author knows they could sell the product but have decided not to; therefore commercial use is ok. I myself would suggest making donations if you use the software commercially, but that is a decision each tech needs to ponder individually.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I think you can use this one as well.

Adware removal tool
https://www.techsupportall.com/adware-removal-tool/

As an alternative to CCleaner, here is one I came across, but I am not sure it's being developed, it's not listed on the company's site that I saw.

Toolwize care-does a basic cleanup of clutter and registry cleaner, states it's free for anyone for any purpose, and you can run it without installing.--Edit here, strange. I thought I looked at the EULA a few minutes ago and it said something similar to the above. Now it reads differently. It does say

"
Installation and User Rights

You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your devices." So not sure if commercial use is ok or not now for this one. But maybe someone else have a look.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/toolwiz_care.html

I'm also a fan of auslogics disk defrag portable. Their site states that the defragger is free for home or commercial use, so I'd assume the portable version is covered?

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/

One other tool to help supplement cleaning junk files, maybe check out bleachbit. I think it's open source. It looks like it may be what people used when they were trying to delete Hillary's emails, but that's a discussion for another day.

http://www.bleachbit.org

I'd be interested if anyone knows of any open source/free for commercial use registry cleaners you can use in order to help replace some CCleaner functions. I think they used to be free for tech use a few years back and changed it, but had good functionality. Plus, with the toolwiz tool, who knows how long that will stay relevant if they in fact are not developing it.

As the above poster said, I would think if they don't say commercial use is prohibited then they are ok with it, but I'm sure they would appreciate donations.

*Edit* Does anyone know if Clamwin is decent? Apparently you can make a portable version of it.

http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/118/89/

 

[cypress]

In regards to Claimwin @ohio_grad_06 I would stay away from it. Not effective at all.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

As far as clamwin, seemed like I was unimpressed last time I tried it. Was wondering if they'd improved.

Now if memory serves, with Hitman pro, I know they had the trial thing and techs were supposed to buy it. But didn't I read something that they'd let you scan and see the results free? If that is the case, maybe you could run that and remove registry entries or startup items with something like sysinternals?

Also was poking around a bit more and found this.

http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.php

You have to install it, but it says free for commercial use in the license.

"TweakNow RegCleaner 2012 is distributed in Freeware License. This license grant the End User to install the Software Product in both commercial and non-commercial environment."

Might be worth checking, looks like it has some of the ccleaner type of function in it. I'll probably play with it more. Never heard much about this before. Looks like the site has some shareware type of stuff that potentially could be of use as well.

 

[trevm999]

Do people use registry cleaners anymore? Tell me what you expect a registry cleaner to do and maybe I can do a Powershell script for it when I'm bored, but I'm not sure it's really worth it

 

[ohio_grad_06]

May not be a big need for them, I used to always do one as part of the package to remove dead entries etc and a quick defrag. So if there's one out there, great. If not, oh well.

 

[1on1 Computer Services]

EMSISOFT Command line cleaner. It's $10.00 USD, Tons of options and seems to work, just no fancy GUI.

 

[Porthos]

EMSISOFT Command line cleaner. It's $10.00 USD, Tons of options and seems to work, just no fancy GUI.

Still have to have an Emsisoft product on the computer to use it.

Open the Windows prompt as administrator (Start - Run - cmd.exe) and browse the folder that contains a2cmd.exe.

Example with Emsisoft Anti-Malware installed:
cd "c:\program files\Emsisoft Anti-Malware\"
Start the Emsisoft Commandline Scanner as follows:
a2cmd.exe /S

Alternative option with Emsisoft Emergency Kit:
Download and extract the Emsisoft Emergency Kit
Start the Emsisoft Commandline Scanner by executing the "Start Commandline Scanner" shortcut in the extracted folder.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit is free for private use. For commercial use, please have a look at our Emsisoft Emergency Kit Pro page.

 

[MCDIT]

https://www.technibble.com/forums/t...d-staying-on-the-right-side-of-the-law.63685/

Same thing bothered me when I became aware of it.

 

[1on1 Computer Services]

Still have to have an Emsisoft product on the computer to use it.

Open the Windows prompt as administrator (Start - Run - cmd.exe) and browse the folder that contains a2cmd.exe.

Example with Emsisoft Anti-Malware installed:
cd "c:\program files\Emsisoft Anti-Malware\"
Start the Emsisoft Commandline Scanner as follows:
a2cmd.exe /S

Alternative option with Emsisoft Emergency Kit:
Download and extract the Emsisoft Emergency Kit
Start the Emsisoft Commandline Scanner by executing the "Start Commandline Scanner" shortcut in the extracted folder.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit is free for private use. For commercial use, please have a look at our Emsisoft Emergency Kit Pro page.

Dang it, I hate it when you're right

I totally missed that when I purchased the Command Line version. Their webpage for it is kind of misleading:

"
The lightweight expert tool to check systems for malware infections
For system administrators, security experts, and experienced commandline users. Check your system for malware infection with the Emsisoft Commandline Scanner."

But now I see under the "Licence" where it reads:

License
The Emsisoft Commandline Scanner as part of the Emsisoft Emergency Kit is free for private use. For commercial use please purchase a license of one of our available business products.

I'm just going to buy the Emergency Kit Pro USB.

 

[OaksLabs]

In regards to Claimwin @ohio_grad_06 I would stay away from it. Not effective at all.

Correct. However, anyone can write signatures for clam-av, (which powers clam-win), and I'm about to run a test with 3rd party anti-malware signatures to see if there is any improvement.

 

[Your PCMD]

The problem is pizza techs! The way the circumvent the EULA is cheeky to say the least. When they sell a customer a AV/Malware service, that's what they do. They sell the service, not the actually program. They all use portable programs that they don't have to install, leaving no trace. I bought the Emsisoft Emergency Kit Pro and made my money back the 1st time I used it. I also use RKill, TDDS Killer and JRT. I have AVG Free and CCleaner installable exes on a flash drive and put them on the clients desktop and instruct them to install those AFTER I am done, leaving me out of the loop so to speak. I am also a Emsisoft reseller and typically sell Emsisoft Anti-Malware to the client during the removal process, offering them 10% off the removal service if they buy it.

 

[fencepost]

I've seen a few folks talk about AVG Free, but my general feeling (not doing residential) is that I'd want them to have a paid package that does a lot more. Considering how cheaply you can get Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc. it seems a waste not to do so.

But, if I were going to steer someone to a free AV, I think I'd probably aim them at Bitdefender's free version.

 

[trevm999]

But, if I were going to steer someone to a free AV, I think I'd probably aim them at Bitdefender's free version.

In theory, it's a good thought, in practice getting that thing activated can be next to impossible (due to the buggy interface)

 

[fencepost]

If you're small-volume and just want to see how cheap you can go, just hop onto slickdeals and search for Bitdefender or Kaspersky. You can get Bitdefender multi-device dirt cheap direct from them using links there, and you can get things like 5-device key cards for Kaspersky cheap through Newegg with coupon codes. There may be limits on quantity, but if you're only doing small volume maybe it's worth it.

I can't help but feel that even the free antivirus packages are a disservice to a lot of folks.

 

[OaksLabs]

Here is a free AV that I think does a good job. https://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/features/360-total-security-essential/

It has multiple engines (including BitDefender and Avira) and it is very simple to install and uninstall. I have used it in the past and it deems to offer good protection (and very few re-infected systems came back in).

 

[DataMedics]

So it isn't legal to install any software on the client's behalf? Don't techs do this all the time? Most software has an EULA. Some customer's bring a new computer with software (e.g. bought from an appliance store) and ask for it to be set up with username, updates, software, data transfer, email setup. This involves the tech agreeing to many EULAs on the client's behalf.

I agree exactly with what you're saying. The discussion was more about being "technically legal". Technically speaking, an EULA (End User Legal Agreement) should only be executed by the "End User". Granted any PC tech is going to likely be clicking OK on dozens of these for their clients. It's one of those things that isn't an issue, until someone makes it an issue. If AV companies are specifically saying in the EULA that you can't bundle it with computer hardware sales, or install it as part of a virus cleaning service, then I suppose they are making an issue of it.

 

[Kitten Kong]

If AV companies are specifically saying in the EULA that you can't bundle it with computer hardware sales, or install it as part of a virus cleaning service, then I suppose they are making an issue of it.

Then that causes us as techs additional headaches. I'm not saying AV companies themselves do this, but a lot of programs when installed,have additional programs, or features (send home data), which obviously we as techs would know what to install, or not to.

However Joe Bloggs, will simply click next all the time. Or if a AV requires some rules to be wrote to allow X program for example Sage and bit Defender. Joe won't know what to do, and will be calling us and either having his tech remote in, or call round to do these for him. But if this was the case, would it be chargeable?, seeing as we may have supplied, but not fully installed the program?.

 

[fincoder]

he discussion was more about being "technically legal". Technically speaking, an EULA (End User Legal Agreement) should only be executed by the "End User".

And technically speaking a computer tech is performing software installs on behalf of the computer owner. If the owner is a home user, they are within their rights to have someone install 'personal use only' software on their behalf.

I suppose there could be written instructions from the client that can be saved as documentary evidence in case of an accusation of license violation, but that's hardly practical. Personally I think it's fine to install software for clients, and it's the ongoing usage that should be subject to the EULA. It is the client's responsibility to check the EULA on software they use.