AudioGalaxy has forced its users to "upgrade" to their latest version 9.

This version is more clever in how it installs AND HIDES its SPYWARE!!!

Version 9 installs "GAIN", otherwise known as Gator in your "common files folder", from within your "programs files" folder.

Not only that, it also installs it in a file folder called "CME II" also within your "common files folder".

It also hides it in the computer registry to where it starts-up running the spyware automatically when you start your computer.

Gator is notorious for messing-up your computer system in addition to spying your every move, even when you're not online by storing the information and gaining access the next time you connect online. It can collect your personal information and system information including but not limited to:

personal information including IP address
computer registry information
favorites
cookies
programs
most used programs
traveled websites
most traveled website information

Of course, specifics in terms of times of the day, time spent, duration of visits to particular areas down to the second.

Needless to say I unistalled AudioGalaxy. Then, I used "LavaSoft" to delete the registry entries. Then I searched my hard-drive for anything I did not recognize. "BonzaiBUDDY" on your desktop should also tip you off. If you see a file that starts with the word "Gator", delete the ENTIRE folder, not just that file.

I hope this post will be of help. I also hope I was able to give you a good run of the steps taken to get rid of that crap out of your computer.

This I copied and pasted from their "liscense agreement" about what they know about you (this is in their words):

- Your response to the ads we display
- Standard web log information and system settings
- What software is on your computer
- Your first name, country, and five digit ZIP code
- Your GAINware usage characteristics and preferences

How GAINware and GAIN (TM) work
When running on your computer, GAIN and/or GAINware communicate with our servers, and in some cases, third party servers on a regular basis, among other reasons, to:

1. maintain/update GAINware;
2. facilitate downloading, introducing, installing and uninstalling GAINware;
3. retrieve content and ads for display;
4. facilitate various GAINware features;
5. collect anonymous usage information; and/or
6. update user information.

Cookies and Web Beacons
We use cookies for the following purposes:

- To identify the business associate that was responsible for introducing you to GAINware so that we can pay that business associate a fee;
- To identify which GAINware are on your computer; and/or
- To limit how often we show you certain advertisements.


They cannot be trusted folks!

I saw a "Gator" screen on the Learning Center PC's in the building I work at. It asks if I want to be "protected" by these advertisers.  I'm glad I always put "No".

Quoting:

Gator is notorious for messing-up your computer system in addition to spying your every move, even when you're not online by storing the information and gaining access the next time you connect online.

If you see a file that starts with the word "Gator", delete the ENTIRE folder, not just that file.



End Quote

Thanks for the info, Hairspray. I'm deleting it right now.

I had a serious problem with Spyware.  I was unable to do searches. Here, It was attached to my computer through Morpheus.  

Thanks to the help of an online friend, I was able to uninstall New.net which was the source of all my problems.

Unfrotunally, removing a program does not always delete spyware--as I found out.  >:( I had to go in manually and delete the file. I have the step by step instructions if anyone wants them. Just PM me. :)

*edit* I need an e-mail to send it to since it is too long to send through a PM. :)

Thanks, Hairspray.  I have deleted it...thanks to "Gator" and of course I would like to take this space to thank Loser Lars Ulrich for taking out "Napster" >:(

I have a machine I use for doing nothing but file sharing on, because it's getting harder to protect yourself from these companies.. I highly recommend lavasoft's adaware and also installing kaaza lite instead of regular kaaza

you'll also notice I don't really run any advertisements anymore (except for my amazon affiliation banners).. I got so fed up with the antics most of the advertisers were using, I just couldn't stand it anymore.. plus my the new server costs a lot less money than the old one, so I don't need to make as much to cover my monthly costs.. amazon's got issues too, but compared to some online companies they're saints

I would suggest that you download Audiogalaxy at this site:

http://spywarefreeag.ods.org/agsatellite/

This version has no spyware in it.

Thanks for the warning, everyone! I'm going to do something about my Audiogalaxy account soon, if not now.

OK, I'm even going to school for computer stuff, and I CAN'T GET RID OF GATOR!!!  DAMN IT!!!  I've uninstalled the program it came with and it won't go away.  I've tryed deleting the folder (GMT), but it has files that it won't let go of.  I deleted some things in the registry, but had to restore it due to a fatal error after this action!  I've contacted Gator, they say it has been removed with the original program, yet GMT.EXE still runs on my system.  HELP ME PLEASE (minus formating the hard drive).  Thank you    >:(