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FreeWire

What is FreeWire?

FreeWire is a Badware due to the fact that it installs additional applications including trojanhorses, adware etc without the knowledge or consent of the user. Some of these extra unwanted applications add icons to internet explorer, display pop-up ads, run applications at start-up and a host of other such additional uses. Some of these applications are very difficult to remove and/or stop.

What makes FreeWire a badware?

• » Installs additional software without disclosure

The FreeWire comes with an installer which allows the user to choose from a host of applications to install (namely, 180Solutions n-CASE and Bargain Buddy). However, it also installs several applications -- including BookedSpace, Downloadware, HitBox, Lycos Sidesearch, and Pacimedia -- without either the users consent or knowledge. Such installations are a classic form of Badware behaviour as it installs other unwanted programs without information and/or consent. 

• » Installs Trojan horses

FreeWire also has components like Booked Space and Bargain Buddy which have properties similar to Trojan horses. These applications allow attackers to access the infected system. They attach themselves as part of the start-up folder and run as soon as the system starts.  Though FreeWire gives the user option to install Bargain Buddy yet it doesn’t disclose the Trojan characteristics of the same. In case of Booked Space, neither does it disclose the Trojan properties of the application nor does it inform the user about its installation.

• » Installs adware

FreeWire secretly installs other applications and software which  behave as adware, including BookedSpace, Downloadware, HitBox, Lycos Sidesearch and Pacimedia. As usual the installation of these additional applications is not disclosed to the user during or after installation.

• » Displays pop-up ads

The adware which gets installed surreptitiously along with FreeWire causes pop-up ads to appear on the desktop whenever the user access internet explorer. Furthermore, these ads do not include any information as to which application is generating the ads thereby ensuring that the user is not able to either know or uninstall the application.

• » Bundled software cannot easily be closed

Many of the additional unwanted applications that get installed along with freewire run in the background and hence cannot be easily closed. This is dangerous for the system as manuy of these processes connect to the internet and download additional unwanted applications. Since this behaviour is not known to the user, hence they are difficult to remove or uninstall.

• » Bundled applications automatically run on start-up

Another disadvantage of FreeWire is that the unwanted applications get attached to the startup folder and start running as soon as the computer starts. Since they are installed surreptitiously hence removing them becomes virtually impossible.

• » Adds additional icon to default Internet Explorer toolbar

Since Lycos Sidesearch gets installed along with FreeWire, it adds a new icon to the internet explorer toolbar. The user is not notified that Lycos itself will be installed and at the same time the unwanted applications modification of the internet explorer toolbar is also not informed to the user.

• » Adds new link to the Windows Desktop

Lycos Sidesearch, one of FreeWire’s unwanted applications, adds a new shortcut to the windows Desktop. As usual this feature of Lycos Sidesearch is undisclosed to the user.

• » Difficult or impossible to uninstall

The FreeWire application does have an uninstall option but doesn’t have the same option for other unwanted applications that get installed. Though Bargain Buddy and Lycos are present in the Add/remove list but since Lycos was installed without the user’s knowledge, it may not be possible for the user to know that they can uninstall it as part of the FreeWire bundle. The rest of these applications have no uninstaller or entry in Add/Remove Programs, making it virtually impossible for the user to uninstall them. 
 

 How to remove/fix the FreeWire if installed?

Once installed, FreeWire is very difficult to remove, as the user may not be able to identify the unwanted applications that get installed along with FreeWire. Ensuring that official registered antivirus software is used, minimizes the chances of such Badware installation. Also, keeping the antivirus package updated with the latest definitions ensures that one is able to detect badwares like FreeWire at the earliest. Making sure that browsers and other applications are updated with the latest security patches lowers the risk of ad/spyware installations. So does using "alternative" browsers like Firefox, Opera and Apache. Running anti-virus, firewall, and anti-ad/spyware programs provide yet more layers of defence.

Recommendations to the customers/ users

It is recommended to the users that unless one is aware and comfortable with the intensity and level of risk and until the application is released or available without the unwanted characteristics, one should not install FreeWire.

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