Map program/hack threat: please read

[Savio]

A few days ago, someone posted a program touting to display locations of all the maps, locations of elites, etc. Later it was discovered by some gwg members that it contained a keylogger, and a few people have been hacked already. If you have downloaded it, contact Arenanet immediately at http://support.guildwars.com.

Also, change all passwords that you use. In Guild Wars, after logging in click on "Edit Account" in the lower-left hand corner. Change your email and password from there.


ARDAMAX IS A KEYLOGGER DO NOT DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

REMOVAL SITES

http://labs.paretologic.com/spyware.aspx?remove=Ardamax

ONLINE SCANNERS

http://housecall.trendmicro.com
http://pandasoftware.com/activescan
http://bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php
http://ravantivirus.com/scan

ONLINE TROJAN SCANNERs

http://scan.sygatetech.com/pretrojanscan.html
http://windowsecurity.com/trojanscan

ONLINE SPYWARE DETECTOR

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/promotions/spywaredetector/index_za.html
I'll be editing with more information as I receive it. It'd help if anyone who downloaded the program posted here.

[Saridley Kronah]

I downloaded it and was hacked, big deal was nothing really just lost my stuff, meh anet said they cant do shit cos its my responsibility.

[HOXMAN]

I thought Aria Closed a similar thread like this?

[Shaquira]

Rule #1 Do NOT browse the internet (or e-mail) or use downloaded programs in the same context/operating system where you play your game.

Rule #2 Seperate the use of browsers and those programs from you game context by using either.

1. A second installation of your operating system. Note: This is not so good because you have to log out and back in to browse and you cannot play the game while browsing

AND NOW FOR THE PUNCHLINE

2. Use virtual PC software to create a virtual PC in the context where you play your game. You can use this virtual PC to run your browser and any programs you wish to use without having to fear that a virus in there will infect or spy on the context where your game is running.


RUNNING a vitual PC is easy and it's not very expensive.

Step 0 do a complete CLEAN installation of you PC just to be sure you lose all the #$%$%$# you picked up browsing and downloading before. Make sure to detach the network cable while doing so untill you are rdy to update your antivirus software and windows.

Step 1. use either VMWare, Connectix virtual PC or Microsoft virtual PC software

Step 2. Run it and install an operating system in it as normal. I advise windows 98 for size

Step 3. Allow the virtual PC to use you network card in shared mode, that way it can access the internet by itself. I.E. You could even remove all the network protocols of your normal operating system context and the virtual will still be able to access the internet. (But this is a tip for ppl running business or private applications)

From this point on NEVER install anything again in your game environment and NEVER browse the internet with it. AND DO NOT use your e-mail in here

If you have to run other prgrams badly i advise to do a multiboot install of your operating system. One for normal operation and one for games. You can use virtal PC in both for different applications


Shaquira

[Larry the Hippo]

ya, this guy got me too. sad pathetic kid, my friend had a conversation with him(and got screen shots) of him pretty much admitting to be a hacker.

lost me 300k, and 3 times that in items =/

[jonnybegood]

ty very much savio

[TheGuildWarsPenguin]

Also: Ad-aware, spybot search and destroy. Google them and download.
Both are free and popular.

[MaglorD]

Anet warned ppl not to download unknown programs, especially ones
promising obviously rediculous enhancements.

Looks like you got hit with backfire.

[carnivore]

Anet warned ppl not to download unknown programs, especially ones
promising obviously rediculous enhancements.

Looks like you got hit with backfire.

totally agree.

no one should insult this hacker, because they got keylogged through a program that helped them cheat(in a sense) in the first place

[Hakira]

ya, this guy got me too. sad pathetic kid, my friend had a conversation with him(and got screen shots) of him pretty much admitting to be a hacker.

lost me 300k, and 3 times that in items =/

So your char was hacked...no wonder, i saw your char spamming a supposed "hack" download site.

poor hippo, i sold you a rather nice sephis :(

[MJ12trooper]

YES I AM HIPPO'S FRIEND

i feel really bad for anyone else that got hacked

hippo lost alot he need someone to give him about oh say......500k

[HOXMAN]

Nope, looks like you did. The program was an out-of-Guild Wars "map." If that's a ridiculous enhancement, they better remove the M key, Print Screen, and Paint. Read posts before you reply to them. Thank you.

The key term that is being discussed here is PROGRAM. Taking a Screenshot results in a PICTURE. The picture is HARMLESS. The Third Party Software or "PROGRAM" Add-On that Anet has numerously warned everyone about is not HARMLESS. But if you play with fire.. you will get burned. (not a flame allusion just a metaphor).

People have been warned. If they choose not to heed the warnings then they accept full responsibility of the obvious outcome.

[unienaule]

Anet warned ppl not to download unknown programs, especially ones
promising obviously rediculous enhancements.

Looks like you got hit with backfire.

Nope, looks like you did. The program was an out-of-Guild Wars "map." If that's a ridiculous enhancement, they better remove the M key, Print Screen, and Paint. Read posts before you reply to them. Thank you.

[Larry the Hippo]

Anet warned ppl not to download unknown programs, especially ones
promising obviously rediculous enhancements.

Looks like you got hit with backfire.

do you have any idea what this program even WAS?!?

it was not a cheat or enchancement, you could this information scattered through countless gw sites. all it was supposed be was a map that put all that together, i.e., collectors, elite skills, area names and that sort of thing.

[HOXMAN]

Makes no difference what it was suppose to do.. I've got some beachfront property in arizona that i'd like to sell you. (a joke) It's an Add-on and as harmless as it's functionality seemed. the warning stands clear.

[unienaule]

O. M. G. Hoxman. Which part of "QUIT TROLLING ITS AN ALERT TO THE OTHER GUILDWARSGURU PEOPLE WHO DOWNLOADED IT" was unclear?

You didn't download it. Why are you posting? It just doesn't make any sense.

[HOXMAN]

I meant no harm. Truce?

[Naprius]

so you guys are actually saying its not your own damn fault?

[HOXMAN]

I will refrain from commenting again. Just scroll up :)

[unienaule]

For the love of God. Where exactly does any part of this say it's not our fault? It Doesn't. It's an ALERT to the community. To anyone who feels like commenting in the future along these lines, yes, you're WAY smarter than anyone who downloaded it. Now, go troll somewhere else.

[Naprius]

well someone is having their period.

[Sister Rosette]

To an extent it is their fault but I think they've lost enough already.
Kicking dirt in the wounds is just uncalled for.

[Naprius]

but a lot of fun, nonetheless.

[Sister Rosette]

No, it's really not. I've got a sense of humor just like everyone else
but this is just sadistic.

[Naprius]

indeed

*grows horns*

[CKaz]

I'm sorry for your loss, and yeah unfortunately I've learned not to DL even well applauded community applications because of this kind of thing. Thanks for spreading the word as well.

As an aside, neat how a red picture and impersonal text can give you a 'tude', maybe just like making a hack program fronting as an aid to the gamer community to take peoples enjoyment out of a game

reminds me of griefers in other MMORPGs.. GW may have its limits and there's still problems with PUGs but there are advantages to an instance game

wow a keylogger, I'm even embarrased to call them a hacker
if yer gonna be a prick, why not be original

well my 2cents, sorry ya got run over, happily it was just a game? :b

[Naprius]

well that's just mean... comparing me with a hacker.

im to stupid to hack :p

[Adambomb]

Kicking dirt in the wounds is just uncalled for.

Can we rub salt in instead?

Anyway, I feel for the people that lost their stuff, espeically if they lost a lot of valuable shiznit... I was gonna download this program but then rmemebered about third-party hacking programs that use keyloggers.... good job I did too from the sound of it...

-Adam

[EternalTempest]

Step 1. use either VMWare, Connectix virtual PC or Microsoft virtual PC software
Shaquira

VMWare ($189) - http://www.vmware.com/ OR use the 30 day trial to make a vitrual machine then use there free vmware player - http://www.vmware.com/products/player/ from that point on :)

Microsoft Virtual PC ($129)- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx - 45 trial version available (They bought out Connectix Virtual PC)

[Raiddinn Beatdropper]

Number 1 rule for the internet - Dont download stuff that isn't from "Major" companies - Microsoft.com, Java.com, Intel.com, etc. This also means don't open attachments other people send you who might not be following this rule.

Will make you 99.9% likely never to have any problems with your PC.

Sorry you lost your stuff, thanks for helping educate the player base by being the poster child for what not to do and why it sucks to do it.

Worthless Player

[Icharus Dread]

Ok... I know this has been beaten to death, mostly... but since I'm swinging maxwell's silver hammer....

Here's the issue with the original post.

A few days ago, someone posted a program touting to display locations of all the maps, locations of elites, etc. Later it was discovered by some gwg members that it contained a keylogger, and a few people have been hacked already. If you have downloaded it, contact Arenanet immediately at http://support.guildwars.com.

Also, change all passwords that you use. In Guild Wars, after logging in click on "Edit Account" in the lower-left hand corner. Change your email and password from there.


I'll be editing with more information as I receive it. It'd help if anyone who downloaded the program posted here.


You'll notice that Savio never actually names the application...

Yes, he eludes to Ardamax, a keylogging software. (http://www.ardamax.com) It is a legitimate piece of software desinged primarily for evidence gathering. Unfortunately, some people will always find a way to use it for their own twisted and perverse pleasure.

But the issue here is that he didn't say WHICH guildwars "utility" he downloaded. Just that he eludes to using it for a while only to discover later *gasp* that it contains a keylogger. Oh my. Call me surprised.

Hate to say it, but it's a boy crying wolf. It smells like a hoax. It has no credibility (that I have seen) and most importantly, it's just down right annoying.

Their. Call that my two cents. Can I have some change please?

Dread

[Savio]

You'll notice that Savio never actually names the application...

Yes, he eludes to Ardamax, a keylogging software. (http://www.ardamax.com) It is a legitimate piece of software desinged primarily for evidence gathering. Unfortunately, some people will always find a way to use it for their own twisted and perverse pleasure.

But the issue here is that he didn't say WHICH guildwars "utility" he downloaded. Just that he eludes to using it for a while only to discover later *gasp* that it contains a keylogger. Oh my. Call me surprised.

Hate to say it, but it's a boy crying wolf. It smells like a hoax. It has no credibility (that I have seen) and most importantly, it's just down right annoying.

Their. Call that my two cents. Can I have some change please?

Dread
...

This is an issue that did come up. Not that I alluded to it (why the hell would I be eluding it), but someone did post a supposed GW map program that contained a keylogger. Since there wasn't an actual name associated with the program other than GWmap.exe or something, there wasn't any really good point in naming it. I had already contacted Arenanet and rapidshare (where it was hosted) about it, so it's long gone by now. Yes, it was Ardemax or some version of it.

This isn't the place to rub salt in the wound, as some people tend to trust this site more than others. For example, the excellent GWfreaks program is listed somewhere down this page. The keylogger was supposed to provide a map function somewhat similar to it. Since this was an issue on our forums, I made a thread about it.

I don't want to get cranky over this matter, but if you people continue to be asses about it then I will start swinging the mod hammer around. This thread is for people to post if they did have problems and possible remedies only, not for the thousandth person to say "don't download things".

EDIT: While eating, I wondered why this was still stickied, so unstickying.