Beware of coupon printers download

[semo233]

Just wanted to warn everyone that when you download the programs to print coupons on your computer, you are opening up your computer to download anything through that source....even third party with access.

I just paid over $150 to have my computer cleaned of several viruses and was told by my computer guy that it was from the coupon printer...although I don't know which of 4 or 5 sights is was from...or each of them.

His advise was: if you need to download a printer program, DON"T!

I didn't save enough money to make it worth this repair!

 

[rflorek]

Is he sure it's from coupon printer downloads? I have a couple of downloaders that load when I print from Coupons.com and bricks, and I have antivirus programs and anti-spyware/adware programs running and (knocking on wood) I haven't had any virus issues to date from them.

 

[mountdew1]

The problem may not be the printer itself, but the software that usually gets bundled with free programs. Many "free" programs will come with toolbars, or other assorted 3rd party ad programs that generate revenue for the company that created the software. Many legitimate companies will offer you the choice of downloading this 3rd party program. Somewhere on the download page would usually see a "Install Toolbar" option that is checked by default. Other companies that don't give you the choice to install this software, those are the ones worth staying away from. Any legitimate company wouldn't want to risk alienating its coupon suppliers by forcing users to install adware.

 

[tinkntraining]

The same thing happened to me, after DH downloaded a coupon printer. I got the dreaded "pop-ups" that would run fake antispyware cleaners every time I clicked the mouse. It was such a pain! After hours of researching/trying to figure out the problem and fix it, I finally caught the thing by downloading the free antispyware and antispam programs, but it took hours to delete it. Luckily, no money involved. It very clearly pointed the problem as the coupon printer.

so, beware!

 

[mommybrown]

Me too Dh just spent the weekend cleaning up the computer. It was a mess. No more downloads for me too. The spyware was causing our computer to lock up.

 

[mtblujeans]

Just so I understand: my virus detector should be able to locate or pick this problem download out on my computer?

 

[nd5056]

Anything that you click “OK” to download kind of overrides the safeguards of Antivirus, it only stops known viruses. Need something else to stop adaware and spyware. Nothing is Free.

Even when you don’t see anything installed, you end up with at least a tracking cookies that monitor what web pages you are visiting.

Legit sites let you print right from their web page, there is NO reason for them to install anything, unless they want to get something from you.

There are some other installs that even when installed clean, will very easy be infected by viruses written especially for them, based on popularity. Smiley Central is on top of my list and most that users instant messengers have it.

 

[nd5056]

Just so I understand: my virus detector should be able to locate or pick this problem download out on my computer?

No.

.

 

[rflorek]

Legit sites let you print right from their web page, there is NO reason for them to install anything, unless they want to get something from you.

I do print from legit sites. I had an email from Nestle/Carnation Evaporated Milk and to print their coupon from their own site (verybestbaking.com - it was bricks coupons), I had to download their coupon printer. When you print from coupons.com, you also have to download their coupon printer.

 

[nd5056]

As said above, they get something back in exchange...

Remember a couple of years ago, Sony had a lawsuit for spiking their Vio laptops with spyware & adaware…

They are the most legit company that could be, no?

.

 

[rflorek]

As said above, they get something back in exchange...

.

I find that the majority of websites leave tracking cookies, not just coupon sites. I run scans every day and there are ALWAYS tracking cookies found even just from simple surfing on news sites, eBay, and Yahoo News. That is one reason I delete all cookies and temporary internet files every night before I log off.

But, as I said earlier, I have not had a virus issue from any of them to date (still knocking on wood)......

 

[nd5056]

I find that the majority of websites leave tracking cookies, not just coupon sites. I run scans every day and there are ALWAYS tracking cookies found even just from simple surfing on news sites, eBay, and Yahoo News. That is one reason I delete all cookies and temporary internet files every night before I log off.

But, as I said earlier, I have not had a virus issue from any of them to date (still knocking on wood)......

Good for you.

Can’t say that about a couple dozens of PC’s I did clean for my friends based on those innocent looking downloads and installs. You really thing you can outsmart hackers by cleaning your cookies every night? Would there be a need for adaware or spyware programs then?

Maybe I called it wrong name of tracking cookie, but this is the simplest way of explaining it. Many viruses are written to attach itself to something that you allowed to install on your machine by clicking OK on it, it’s like the back door entrance for them.

 

[MsSpinShady]

The same thing happened to me, after DH downloaded a coupon printer. I got the dreaded "pop-ups" that would run fake antispyware cleaners every time I clicked the mouse. It was such a pain! After hours of researching/trying to figure out the problem and fix it, I finally caught the thing by downloading the free antispyware and antispam programs, but it took hours to delete it. Luckily, no money involved. It very clearly pointed the problem as the coupon printer.

so, beware!

We had the exact same problem. Uninstalled the coupon printer (it was from coupons.com), cleaned the machine and won't ever download one of those again. It was a huge problem and a pain to clean up.

 

[rflorek]

Good for you.

Can’t say that about a couple dozens of PC’s I did clean for my friends based on those innocent looking downloads and installs. You really thing you can outsmart hackers by cleaning your cookies every night? Would there be a need for adaware or spyware programs then?

Maybe I called it wrong name of tracking cookie, but this is the simplest way of explaining it. Many viruses are written to attach itself to something that you allowed to install on your machine by clicking OK on it, it’s like the back door entrance for them.

As I said earlier, I have 3 different spyware/adware softwares (none were free, by the way), and I run them daily and they all find different things. I also use a firewall, and run 2 different anti-virus programs (and they find different things also). Can you tell I'm paranoid about security?

I sit next to the IT guy at my job, so I'm aware of the problems with downloads. The only download I do is the coupon printer. It amazes me how many people download things like a weather bug or a ding alert that leave a permanent open connection on their computer - that scares me.

 

[nd5056]

As I said earlier, I have 3 different spyware/adware softwares (none were free, by the way), and I run them daily and they all find different things. I also use a firewall, and run 2 different anti-virus programs (and they find different things also). Can you tell I'm paranoid about security?

Yup!

Look, not looking for argument here. But you can have 10 different protections installed on your PC and for the most part it means nothing once you click that OK button. You override the safeguards accept for the already well known adaware & viruses. And they mutate all the time.

If you still think I’m wrong, go find something for Antivirus XP 2009 and click on it, just don’t blame me later… .

.

 

[4fosterkids]

is there a list of safe coupon sites to print from or are they all risky?

 

[nd5056]

Personally, I only print coupons that are printable from the browser window. But that’s me.

Since some are having no problems using the print engines out there, I suggest to start a new post where members could suggest the sites to use or not to use.

.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Yup!

Look, not looking for argument here. But you can have 10 different protections installed on your PC and for the most part it means nothing once you click that OK button. You override the safeguards accept for the already well known adaware & viruses. And they mutate all the time.

If you still think I’m wrong, go find something for Antivirus XP 2009 and click on it, just don’t blame me later… .

.

Actually the new one is Antivirus 2010...go ask my DH about that one and we have ALL the protection out there. It's a booger to remove and might still be lurking. He is wiping out the computer Friday and starting over.

 

[nd5056]

2010 is out huh? Oh my...

 

[tavettava]

This is why I print from my school.