Ultimatebuddy = Malware

[Yoshi]

I have been battling various popup ads on my computer for several weeks now. After seeking much help fixing this problem I found that Ultimatebuddy was possibly contributing to the problem.
Check out these links...

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/unin...dy-Update.html

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/startup/Ul...imateBuddy.php

http://www.castlecops.com/s13689-UltimateBuddy.html

All these sites define Ultimatebuddy as some sort of malware. I just don't belive UB would create a program that infects users computers but everywhere I look I see that apparently they did. I sent UB an email regaurding this matter and have not heard back from them yet. If I do hear back from them then I will post back and let everyone know what they have to say in their defense. In the meantime does anyone know anymore details to the safety and security of running Ultimatebuddy?

[Yoshi]

I am sorry for the alarm. Apparently, there are virus and trojans that come in the form of Ultimatebuddy. My understanding from ultimatebet is that if you download Ultimatebuddy from anywhere other than the link they provided me with then you are probably downloading a "fake" that is loaded with all sorts of malware. You can make the decision for yourself. I will provide you with the same information I have. I don't want to call out false facts, so this is what I know...

Here's the emails that went back and forth.

MY FIRST EMAIL:

I have been battling popup ads on my computer for the last few weeks. After
seeking much help trying to remove this malware from my computer I came to
find out that it was Ultimatebuddy that was causing my problems. Is
ultimatebuddy actually a product of Ultimatebet? If it is, then is it really
wise to install malware on people’s computers when there are already enough
people skeptical of security risks involved with online poker?

Also, I would like to know if I can download ultimatebuddy without the
malware bundled inside.

I would appreciate a reply with the answers to my two questions…….

Is Ultimatebuddy a product made by Ultimatebet?

Can I download Ultimatebuddy that is malware free?

I have always defended UB as being the most safe and secure site online, I
don’t know that I can do this anymore knowing that UB promotes products that
infect the computers of their players.

Thanks in advance

Yoshi

THEIR FIRST REPLY:

Dear Mr. Petkoff, <---(This is NOT my name; was a little worried about this.)

Thank you for contacting us.

Yes, Ultimatebuddy was developed by our programers

You can download Ultimate Buddy from the following link:

http://www.ultimatebuddy.com/

This feature is part of our game application and it is used to locate
players at the tables. It can be accessed with the same username and
password of your UB account.

Once you are logged in, you will know instantly if your poker buddies are
online at any poker site powered by UltimateBet. You'll also know when they
join a game and what type of game it is.

You can start adding the players you would like to keep track of by simply
clicking on the green plus (+) sign at the bottom of the screen, or
selecting "Add Buddy" from the Buddies Menu. Then, type in the exact screen
name of the buddy you would like to add (this is not case sensitive). When
you click "OK", the player will be added to your buddy list.

To block someone, select the username on the buddy list by clicking on his
or her name once, or select Block Buddy from the Buddies Menu. The selected
buddy will be blocked immediately but will continue to be displayed with the
"blocked" symbol next to their name.

You can also add notes to other players just by right clicking on the
username and then on "add notes".

For more details regarding this feature, you can check the link below:

http://www.ultimatebuddy.com/faq.html

Do not hesitate to contact us if you require further assistance or
additional information.

Best regards,

Mario
Ultimate Bet ~ Customer Support
"Where virtually everyone plays poker"
Support@UltimateBet.Com

Ensure the security of your account! Never give out your password and change
it frequently!


I REPLIED BACK:

Okay, thank you for your quick response on this matter. Before I download
Ultimatebuddy could you please explain to me what this link is telling me
about ultimatebuddy...
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/unin...dy-Update.html

AND this link...
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/startup/Ul...imateBuddy.php

AND this link...
http://www.castlecops.com/s13689-UltimateBuddy.html

Oh, and my name is not Mr. Petkoff, it is Mr. "Yoshi"


THEY REPLIED BACK WITH:

Dear Mr. Petkoff, <---(Still NOT my name!)

Thank you for contacting us.

We have forwarded your case to our Technical Department. You will be
contacted as soon as possible.

Your patience and understanding will be highly appreciated.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you require further assistance or
additional information.

Best regards,

Mario
Ultimate Bet ~ Customer Support
"Where virtually everyone plays poker"
Support@UltimateBet.Com

Ensure the security of your account! Never give out your password and change
it frequently!


MY REPLY (Had to get the name thing straight)

Thank you very much. I just curious as to why you keep referring to me as "Mr. Petkoff". That is not my name what so ever. My name is "Mr. Yoshi".

Yoshi


THEIR FINAL REPLY:

Dear Mr. Yoshi,

Thank you for preferring us as your ultimate online poker destination.

I would like to inform you that our Ultimatebuddy buddy feature is supported and sponsored by Ultimatebet.com and the only authorized web site for downloading it would be: www.ultimatebuddy.com

Any other link or website being announced on your PC should be caused by a virus infection on your system. Internet worms or spyware can be easily acquired by navigating to unsafe website.

In order to get your computer cleaned up, I would suggest you to use any online virus clean up software as in example AD-aware, Avira Antivir, Spysweeper, etc.

We hope this information would be useful for you, if you need any further assistance, do not hesitate on contacting us back, and we will be more than glad to serve you.

Regards,

Marvin
UltimateBet ~ Technical Support Department “Where virtually everyone plays Poker”
Support@UltimateBet.Com

__________________________________________________ _____

IMO UltimateBuddy is safe, and I apologize for alarming anyone; however, I am making this assumption based on that last email I received which is still a little vague in the wording, so I leave the decision to you.

Yoshi