Nielson Malicious Software?

[Kushie]

I did the Nielson offer, looked intriguing and as I filled it out it looked cool. Play daily games to get credits for raffles, etc. Sure I probably wouldn't get anything but it's easy and fun.

So I went on with the offer. To play the games apparently, it needed me to install this small file. I saw no reason to but, trusting it, I installed it. Played the daily games, turned off computer, turned on next day.

When I tried Googling something first thing the next day, all of the search results that I clicked on were redirected to some stupid advertisement page via a  "google-redirect.com" link or something like that which replaced every single link in the Google search listing. It was a pain in the *bleep*.

A full Avira system scan overnight later it rips apart some files that seem to have been installed the same time as the Nielson software. When I try to play the Nielson games they do not work.

I don't know if the advertiser intentionally puts this stuff in their software or not, which seems completely unnecessary to play the games anyway, but I think this should get looked at. I'm doubtless something we don't want is packed in there.

Just a heads up.. I also still haven't gotten the credit so I must have done something else wrong.

[mrisha]

This is the reason I would not complete the nielsen offer, because they say you have to install software to play the games.  There is always other stuff that comes along when install from other sites like this.  I learned the hard way.  Installs like that screwed up my computer so bad, I had to have a tech do a tune up on my computer.

[debraleesparks]

 :BangHead:I had to 'recover' my computer after I took out the program. My computer ran slow, and messed up so much, my high speed was slow. They should warn us, if they are going to do this.I lost all my pictures, and games, and itunes songs.

[bacardi2001]

i just canceled the download

[Kushie]

Good thing.

[Tere2]

  Whew! I'm glad now I didn't download it. I had an email like that, too and it didn't sound right. I'm a member of another place called Neilson and never had to download anything. I thought it was from them but thank goodness I chickened out.

[gayecat]

The same thing happened to me but I didn't know where it came from.  You can download Malwarebytes free - just google it.

[amy11077]

yikes!! Thanks for the helpful info!!! I don't know if they actually attached this virus, or if maybe someone else hacked it, but either way I don't want to chance it. Thanks again!!

[purplelilac1]

I had it installed but decided to deactivate it. I felt like my privacy was invaded.