Side step

[bhong]

I have spywareblaster installed, and I love it. However, I recently tried to download Side Step - a discount airfare search engine. I was unable to because Java of ActiveX was disabled. I uninstalled Spywareblaster and removed all ActiveX blocks - still no success. Is this due to spywareblaster? Does anyone have any solutions? Thanks :-\

[Pieter_Arntz]

Hi bhong,

Sidestep was long targeted because it got bundled with other programs:
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/SideStep.html

SpywareBlaster has two entries blocking Sidestep.
I will move your question to the Javacool forums.
Could you please tell us if you removed SpywareBlasters protection before you uninstalled it?

Regards,

Pieter

[bhong]

No. I just went to "Programs">Spywareblaster>auninstall
Thanks for the reply. I hadn't known that it was a parasitic website (it seemed that it provided a useful function)

[Pieter_Arntz]

By just uninstalling SpywareBlaster, you did not remove the protecting killbits.
Just thought I'd let you know,

Pieter

[bhong]

Thanks. I also contacted Side Step and they feel that the problem is with Spybot. Here is their reply:

Solution :
The program called Spybot makes changes to your registry which will
disable SideStep from being run on your computer. The problem lies in
the fact that even if uninstall Spybot it does not make the changes to
allow SideStep to function and leaves your computer in a state that will
prevent it from working forever.

I am sorry to say that we do not have a fix at this time for
computers that have been altered by Spybot. I suggest contacting Spybot,
explaining how you wish to use SideStep, and asking for directions on getting
your computer back to where it was
before their software was installed.I dug around on the Spybot
website and found this page which you can use to contact them regarding your
issue with their software.

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=contact&type=bugs

For spyware detection we prefer to use AdAware and you can download
it for free at www.lavasoftusa.com. While AdAware, like most spyware
detection software, labels anything like SideStep that uses ActiveX as
spyware in error it is easy to set AdAware to ignore SideStep while still
allowing the removal of harmful programs.

Spyware detection software is worthwhile but it always tags anything
that uses ActiveX technology as "spyware". By definition spyware is:

*loaded onto your computer without your permission.

*sends data that you have not agreed to back to central servers for
the sale to other companies as marketing tools regarding your internet
habits.

SideStep can only be downloaded with your permission. We also only
send data back to our servers in order for us to process your search and
for us to maintain our referral system with the websites that we search
on your behalf. SideStep have NEVER sold or given away a single email
address of our users and we have NEVER revealed any personal information
about any of our users to a third party for marketing purposes. We hate
spam and privacy invasions as much as you do.


Hope this helps.

And this from Spybot:

Hello,
In former times the software was not really secure but they are okay
now.
We are working on a license agreement.

Please uninstall Spybot S&D according to the following link:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=faq&detail=27&lang=en
(Notice: The application data folder is hidden. Run Windows Explorer,
in
the menu bar select "Tools" --> "Folder Options". Switch to the second
tab, and there select "show hidden files and folders". Then hit OK. Now
the application data folder will be visible.) It is important to use
the
"very small fix".
Now, the registry is cleared from Spybot.
Please make a new installation of Spybot in advanced mode.
Please try to install side step again and please tell Spybot to ignore
Sidestep activex.
(When installing sidestep stop to immunize and after installation
everything should work correctly
and you can immunize again.
Sidestep should work again.)

Best regards,
Your Team Spybot

Success!

Now all I have to do is re-install Spybot. Thanks for your helpful replies

Bruce :D