Ad-Aware Checker v1.0 released

[javacool]

Due to the circumstances surrounding Ad-Aware being uninstalled by a rogue application, I created a small, quick program to deal with this threat.

Ad-Aware Checker v1.0 *notifies you whenever Ad-Aware files are deleted or changed. You can keep it running in the background, at a scan interval of whatever you want (default is 10 seconds, but 1 second works fine with no slowdown on my computers since it is only 28 kb). It also allows you to minimize the program to the system tray to reduce taskbar clutter, while it still scans, and pops up if anything malicious or suspicious activities surrounding the Ad-Aware files are detected.

Temporary download site is here: http://javacool2.freeservers.com.

I would recommend either letting the program run whenever you install a new program or let it run for the first time, or you could even let it run constantly (as it is only 28 kb and uses hardly any cpu).

New versions may have even more features - this version was released right now as I intended on getting it out as soon as possible to counter this threat.

Comments/question/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Enjoy! *;D

-javacool

P.S. The Ad-Aware Checker program watches two files - the main Ad-Aware executable (ad-aware.exe) and the reflist (reflist.sig) - *for any modifications or deletion.

[javacool]

BTW, anyone who wishes to mirror the file is welcome to do so.

[javacool]

FYI, For the next version, I am working on letting you back up your ad-aware files in case of any malicious changes or deletions. (i.e. one button push and its all back to normal).

[Blacksheep]

javacool, you are a white knight in shining armor! ;D

[Beez]

Mirror site for Ad-Aware Checker v1.0 *:)

http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/aawchecker.exe

Regards

Ann
bee@lavasoft.de

[Mike_Healan]

Mirror site @ http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/aawchecker.exe

[Paul Wilders]

mirror page, file download included:

www.wilderssecurity.com/aawchecker.html

In order to avoid server overload from javacool's freeservers website, we recommend to point to the URL mentioned above for specs.

regards.

paul

[Marianna Schmudlach]

Hi all,

have one question.....I d\l aawchecker10.exe *and ran it - suddenly got a pop-up " Ad-aware.exe main program file deleted. It is recommend you reinstall Ad-aware immediately to remove whatever got rid of this file!

Must say, I don't have RadLight on my computer!! By checking the Ad.Aware exe program it is still there and running. What happened?????

Thanks!

[spy1]

"Houston, we have a problem..."

This is what I got when I tried to run Javacools program on my WinMe computer:

"Class not registered. You need the following file to be installed on your machine: MSSTDFMT.DLL"

Where do I get it from someplace idiot-proof (you know, where it'll install and register itself with minimal input on my part? :) ) Pete

PeteNote: Got the same message on my W98SE computer.

*Also, does AA have to be running , either in the TaskBar or AdWatch running in SYSTRAY? I don't have AdWatch, BTW, does that make a difference - especially since reading Marianna's post?

[Mike_Healan]

Me too :( Same error as Pete.

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> "Houston, we have a problem..."

This is what I got when I tried to run Javacools program on my WinMe computer:

"Class not registered. You need the following file to be installed on your machine: MSSTDFMT.DLL"

Where do I get it from someplace idiot-proof (you know, where it'll install and register itself with minimal input on my part? :) ) Pete

PeteNote: Got the same message on my W98SE computer.

*Also, does AA have to be running , either in the TaskBar or AdWatch running in SYSTRAY? I don't have AdWatch, BTW, does that make a difference - especially since reading Marianna's post? <-QUOTE}

Ad-Aware does not have to be running - as for that file - some computers have it, and some don't.

To get the necessary file, simply download from here: http://activex.microsoft.com/controls/vb6/msstdfmt.cab.

Extract the contents of the cab to any directory, and run the .inf file (right click -> install). If that still does not work, type "Regsvr32 msstdfmt.dll" in the "run" dialog in the start menu (or if that does not work, use "regsvr msstdfmt.dll").

That should solve your problems.

[javacool]

BTW, I am considering all suggestions, and the next version will include (at a minimum) configuration to track any changes in all files you select (i.e. you could have it track deletions / changes in firewalls, AV, etc.).

I'll let you know when the new version is out.

[Beez]

Hi Javacool

Could you drop by our board?

There is a thread with some users having different problems with Ad-Aware Checker.

I feel that you are the best person to answer those.

The thread can be found at:
http://www.lavasoft.nu/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?s=3cc59cdb7f06ffff;act=ST;f=4;t=59

Or if you prefer I can direct them here.

Just let me know

Regards

Ann

[Paul Wilders]

Ann,

{QUOTE-> Or if you prefer I can direct them here. <-QUOTE}

Please direct them over here. That way, not only those posting over on your board will benefit from it, but members/visitors/lurkers - and AA users as well.

Apart from that, a centralized place in regard to the Checker probably will avoid confusion.

regards.

paul

[CoolSights2000]

I was wondering why I am unable to reboot my computer when your program is running..... I use profiles so I have to reboot when changing user....

Also it didn't start up automatic after rebooting

?????

[Bob Goth]

I am having the same problem as Marianna Schmudlach in reply #7 of this thread. I am using WinME. I followed the directions by javacool in reply #10. Got the cab file installed. It is showing up in the Windows/System directory. Still get the same error as in #7 reply by MS. Also, the Ad-aware checker does not show up in the program listings where I downloaded it too. Think you've done a great service to users of Ad-aware. Just gotta figure out how to get the bugs out. Please advise. Thanks.

[78JKKYeT]

{QUOTE->

Ad-Aware does not have to be running - as for that file - some computers have it, and some don't.

To get the necessary file, simply download from here: http://activex.microsoft.com/controls/vb6/msstdfmt.cab.

Extract the contents of the cab to any directory, and run the .ini file (right click -> install). If that still does not work, type "Regsvr32 msstdfmt.dll" in the "run" dialog in the start menu (or if that does not work, use "regsvr msstdfmt.dll").

That should solve your problems.
<-QUOTE}It might for some but not for me. * ::) *I am like a lost soul on so much! * I downloaded from the URL you gave. *From that point on, I am lost. *Which is the .ini file of the 2? *Why when I right click on either I get the word "extract" instead of "install"? *Do I put it (them) in a Windows directory? *I have tried everything I can think of, including the 2 suggestions with Run. *The last one came up telling me "cannot find the file or one of its components". *I must be on the right track, but I seem to be in a rut of my own making and would like to get back on the road. *;D

[eburger68]

JKK:

Right-click on the .INF file (not the .INI file -- there is none). The right-click menu on the .INF file should give you an "Install" option.

If it doesn't, do the following:

1) Copy the .DLL to the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory (or \WINNT\SYSTEM32 if you're on NT/2K/XP);

2) Open a DOS window and type the following:

cd c:\windows\system (or cd c:\winnt\system32)

regsvr32.exe MSSTDFMT.DLL

You should now get a message that the DLL was registered.

3) Close DOS window.

Note that I haven't tried AAW Checker, so I can't guarantee that this will get it running, but the above should get the .DLL registered.

Best,

Eric L. Howes

[javacool]

Note to all - incredibly sorry there for the mistype - I didn't mean the ".ini" file but the ".inf" file.

Eric Howes posted quite foolproof instructions - sorry I couldn't get here earlier to catch my mistake in that post. (Thanks Eric) *:)

-javacool

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> I am having the same problem as Marianna Schmudlach in reply #7 of this thread. I am using WinME. I followed the directions by javacool in reply #10. Got the cab file installed. It is showing up in the Windows/System directory. Still get the same error as in #7 reply by MS. Also, the Ad-aware checker does not show up in the program listings where I downloaded it too. Think you've done a great service to users of Ad-aware. Just gotta figure out how to get the bugs out. Please advise. Thanks. <-QUOTE}

Thanks for the bug report. I have located the problem, and fixed it.

The latest version of Ad-Aware Checker (v1.0.1) is available here (until mirrors are up): http://javacool2.freeservers.com.

Again, I would like to thanks everyone for the useful input they have provided. :)

-javacool

[78JKKYeT]

{QUOTE-> JKK:

Right-click on the .INF file (not the .INI file -- there is none). The right-click menu on the .INF file should give you an "Install" option.

If it doesn't, do the following:

1) Copy the .DLL to the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory (or \WINNT\SYSTEM32 if you're on NT/2K/XP);

2) Open a DOS window and type the following:

cd c:\windows\system (or cd c:\winnt\system32)

regsvr32.exe MSSTDFMT.DLL

You should now get a message that the DLL was registered.

3) Close DOS window.

Note that I haven't tried AAW Checker, so I can't guarantee that this will get it running, but the above should get the .DLL registered.

Best,

Eric L. Howes <-QUOTE}To my resuce once again! *Thanks, Eric. *I'll try that tomorrow. *It's past my bedtime at the moment, having just returned after a lovely evening out. :) *I am sure that I will have to copy the file and go through the DOS routine, which in itself will be a first, but with your directions printed, I think I'll be able to manage. *Thank you again. *I am learning in spite of myself.

[Mike_Healan]

Javacool, I've replaced aawchecker.exe with http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/aawchecker.zip. I've zipped that .cab file, Eric's instructions on what to do with it, plus the latest version that I just got off of your freeservers's site.
66KB and some change total size.

[mbeex]

Hi thee- new to this forum...asking for help. *

I tried to d/l Ad-Aware Checker (v1.0.1), but I am getting a file not found error which seems to be a different DLL file than mentioned above:

"Access to the specified device, path or file is denied"
"MSVBVM60.DLL was not found"

Can anyone advise? I'm running Win98se. *

As a side note, I know this site is NOT lavasoft, but I tried to register and login to Lavasoft's boards where I saw other questions regarding ad-aware & checker...the site seemed to take my registration, but won't allow me to sign in *sigh*...appreciate any hints if someone knows what the problem might be.

Thank you :o)

[mbeex3]

lol..that should be

hi there..

sorry about that :o)

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> Hi thee- new to this forum...asking for help. *

I tried to d/l Ad-Aware Checker (v1.0.1), but I am getting a file not found error which seems to be a different DLL file than mentioned above:

"Access to the specified device, path or file is denied"
"MSVBVM60.DLL was not found"

Can anyone advise? I'm running Win98se. *

As a side note, I know this site is NOT lavasoft, but I tried to register and login to Lavasoft's boards where I saw other questions regarding ad-aware & checker...the site seemed to take my registration, but won't allow me to sign in *sigh*...appreciate any hints if someone knows what the problem might be.

Thank you :o) <-QUOTE}

You need the Visual Basic 6 SP5 Run-time from Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=28337&LangID=20&LangDIR=en-us&OpSysID=9801&Search=Keywords&Value=Visual+Basic&Show=Alpha&Start=&Page=0

[mapsonx]

{QUOTE->
Hi all,

have one question.....I d\l aawchecker10.exe *and ran it - suddenly got a pop-up " Ad-aware.exe main program file deleted. It is recommend you reinstall Ad-aware immediately to remove whatever got rid of this file!

Must say, I don't have RadLight on my computer!! By checking the Ad.Aware exe program it is still there and running. What happened?????

Thanks!
<-QUOTE}

1. *I've finally gone thru all the fixes, and checker now installs, but I'm having the same problem as above. *I've followed all the advice. *When I press "start checking", I get the error message. *If I just minimize it to the tray, before or after "start checking", it closes and shows in the tray. *Does that mean it is now operating? *And why the error message?

2. *Is FileChecker an adjunct to Adaware Checker or a replacement?

I'm so confused

J

[javacool]

If you do not already have the latest version of Ad-Aware Checker (v1.0.1) download it from http://www.wilderssecurity.com/aawchecker.html

That should fix your problem.

FileChecker is an extension of Ad-Aware Checker in that you can add any files, and it can save your "watch-list" to load automatically on startup.

[mbeex3]

Thanks for the help. *I d/l'd the Visual Basic 6.0 file from your link and then tried to install v1.0.1 again, but I received a different error this time:

COMDLG32.OCX ...not currently registered.

I tried to follow the instructions above: I d/l'd the .cab file for that and "extracted" comdlg32.ocx from temp internet files to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM. *That's where I'm stuck. *I do not see a .inf file to "install"...

Frankly I'm lost and feeling really dumb... *Can you pls explain (in layman's terms) exactly what I need to do now to get Ad-aware Checker 1.0.1 installed?

Thanks again!

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> Thanks for the help. *I d/l'd the Visual Basic 6.0 file from your link and then tried to install v1.0.1 again, but I received a different error this time:

COMDLG32.OCX ...not currently registered.

I tried to follow the instructions above: I d/l'd the .cab file for that and "extracted" comdlg32.ocx from temp internet files to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM. *That's where I'm stuck. *I do not see a .inf file to "install"...

Frankly I'm lost and feeling really dumb... *Can you pls explain (in layman's terms) exactly what I need to do now to get Ad-aware Checker 1.0.1 installed?

Thanks again!



<-QUOTE}

If you extracted the file to windows\system, then enter the following into your "Run" dialog box in the Start Menu: "Regsvr32 comdlg32.ocx" . That should fix your problem.

-javacool

[mbeex3]

Thank you so much! run dialog worked, I had entered an incorrect file extension earlier.

After d/l'ing Visual Basic 6 and running MSVBVM60.DLL and COMDLG32.OCX, it still needed MSSTDFMT.DLL. *I downloaded and ran it under run command and the program now works.

I appreciate your replies and help!

Now I have the program (v1.0.1) running in my system tray. *Thanks again for both the help AND the program!

Best regards.

[Will]

Hey,
Thanks a lot. Waiting for all the new shit. Worked the very first time on WinXP.

later,
*Will

PS: Did not have to install any dll files or anything...later