warning, 3ds max 4 contains "virus"

General Forums Blender and CG Discussions
1

I tried installing 3ds Max v.4 and it completely screwed me. Turns out max uses a “liscense manager” called Cd-dilla. THis software is viral in nature and can really mess with your machine.

What it did: (thank god I took snapshots and backed up my registry first)

1 , accesed and changed one of the virus definitions in Norton AV, symantec
considers it a virus

2, created and / or changed over 200 registry entries. No, that not a typo, over 200. Including registry entrys for the Norton antivirus active monitor, creating god only knows what kind of vulnerabilities on my system. No fully legitimate software has any buisiness messing with my antiviral.

3, does NOT uninstall, while I’ve supposedly uninstalled it with the uninstall program, and windows add/remove software, and a couple third party uninstallers, it still lurking in my system, hiding.

4, messed up my CD burning, sometimes causing crashes and ALWAYS slowing it down substantially.

5, it also seems to have tried to bore a hole in my firewall.

  1. Deleted all system resore points prior to install, so I can’t restore the
    system to a good configuration. If I hadn’t backed up my registry prior
    to the install I’d be absolutely screwed.

C-dilla is spyware, it can collect info and report it tihrough the internet.
No privacy statement is provided, I have been unable to find out what info it reports, who it reports to, or what is done with that info. All inquiries to Discrete (makers of studiomax) and Macromedia (makers of C= Dilla have been ignored.

I’m going to do a full lowlevel format and reinstall, using only backup discs burned BEFORE the max install, as c-dilla appears to be hiding itself inside other files, just like a virus.

C-dilla is the single most malicious piece of software I’ve come across, and I go through freeware and shareware like junky goes through dope. It’s worse that any virus I’ve ever picked up off the net, and I visit some pretty shady sites

I don’t know if max 5 uses C-dilla also, but I strongly recommend against using ANY software that includes c-dilla.

I you,ve found your system is slower after installing Max, or any other problems (like cd burning, etc, it’s probably C-dilla.

Please pass this warnig on to any other forums, I can’t because I’m afraid to go online untill I can wipe my drive. I’m using my brothers machine to warn you folks here, so please, help spread the word and boycott any software using c-dilla. Then sofware makers will be forced to find a less harmfull way to protect their products.

Thank you for helpng spread the word, and I’d like to hear if anyone else has had problems after installing Studio Max

:< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< ( how mad I am )

2

you know how warez and virus comes hand in hand… but nah, seriously, call discreet support, they should be able to explain/help you with your issue…

3

Did you get the warez version?? Ah, HA HA, HA, HA! You compleatly deserve it if you did!

Xnilator

4

Just fyi, C-dilla comes with a lot of software: it’s not necessarily a warez issue…

But as it’s spyware, it’s no wonder their helpdesk won’t assist…

5

It’s not Macromedia - it’s Macrovision that make it.

6

Hi Eldron,

that must be the biggest joke of the century, try calling Discreet support. If you succeed, it’s a bigger step for man kind than a walk on the moon! :smiley: Believe me, I’ve had it with discreet, my advice is to stay off their products.

7

:< %|

8

Do a comparison check of your registry before and after the spyware install and you should be able to remove the offending software.

This might help.

http://www.pestpatrol.com/PestInfo/c/c-dilla.asp

Look under manual removal.

Forgive a humble warning to those who might not know: Don’t go into the registry with a cocky attitude. Be very careful or you’ll be reinstalling your operating system. Be wise like Tokabola and do a complete backup

9

Sounds like a totally evil program. I have a program called ‘GoBack’ that came with my Norton System Utilities, which I have uninstalled because it slows stuff way down, but i think it might be a handy one when installing an evil program such as this one. There is also the ‘System Restore’ program on XP, which I have used a couple of times to purge my system of evil.

10

c -dilla is supposed to be a “good” thing. It’s the supporting software for the new CD copy protection stuff from what I gather.

11

Yes, 3ds max 5 also uses C-dilla. Yet another reason I cannot stand using that “software.”

Good luck with it–
Matt

12

no this wasn’t a “warez” version, it was an official store bought disc.

It’s not Macromedia - it’s Macrovision that make it.

Right, my bad

There is also the ‘System Restore’ program on XP, which I have used a couple of times to purge my system of evil.

C-dilla deleted all system restore points, so you can’t use system restore to go back before the install. Go back may work, I don’t have it. Thats why I back up my registry before installing, as I’ve found system restore unreliable in the past also. I suspect Cdilla may mess with Go Back also, it’s a Norton product and Cdilla messed with Norton AV 2003.

I’ve tried Discrete support, as well as Autodesk (parent of discrete), neither has bothered returning my requests for help.

The Macrovision web page is a dead end, just a cover page with no links.

Oxman, thanks for the link, I’ll try it.

BTW, I see signs of C-dilla on my system even after resoring the registry, and more recent snapshots seem to indicate C-dilla is hiding in other legitimate files, as the new snapshot shows changes made to files I haven’t touched in months. That’s virus type behavior by my book.

I was trying Max because I’ll be setting up a 3d studio for a local “troubled teens” program, they would have bought at least 10 licences, now we’ll be using Maya instead (as well as Blender, of course). Discrete cut it’s own throat on that one, if this outreach program works, it will be repeated in at least 15 other citiys. That’s over 80 copies they won’t sell. Ha!

13

I can’t imagine that ‘troubled teens’ could afford a maya license. I’m neither troubled nor teen and I can’t… :wink:

14

Download Maya PLE for free and legally and use the money saved to give troubled teens something useful like college scholarships.

15

Well c-dilla is a licensing program used to verify. From my experience with it, its only used on really expensive software like max or Maya(maya uses something called flexlm also made by macrovision).

To get either program running you are forced to install c-dilla, but with a firewall in the background you can monitor wich connections the software tries to make…

So its possible to block it.

I havent seen it elsewhere tho, has any of you seen it it in other software?

As far as warez go, i personally am against it- but im no big fan of spyware either.

16

Just a remainder, when you speak of any kind of software here you are assumed to have it legally.

Suggesting/pushing people to piracy is not allowed on elYsiun.

I’m not saying anyone actually did… just warning before discussion goes in the wrong direction :slight_smile:

Stefano

17

:expressionless: Ok, Sorry, and my bad :expressionless:

Sounds like a noteworthy project :smiley:

Xnilator

18

I suspect Cdilla may mess with Go Back also, it’s a Norton product

Actually, if I remember correctly, though it is packaged with Norton System Works, I believe it is made by another manufacturer. It seems to consume large ammounts of active memory on a constant basis however, which is why I removed it.

19

Looks like I may avoid Maya also if they use a macrovision product. I wish they’d use the same kind of protection Stienberg uses for Cubase. It’s a USB “Dongle”. I can install Cubase on more than one system, but only use one system at a time. Be darn handy if I had more than one system, ie a desktop for studio use and a laptop for recording at shows. Of course the down side is if you lose the dongle you have to contact Stienberg and get a new dongle, and I think they charge close to full price for it. Still, at least it doesn’t mess up my computer.

I can’t imagine that ‘troubled teens’ could afford a maya license.

We have a real gang problem here, so the city helps fund just about anything that gets kids learning. Besides, Maya is available at a discount for this type of non=profit organization. I think it’s like the way Apple makes things cheap for schools.

20

On the other hand (just to be devil’s advocate for a moment!!!)… if you’re going to have dedicated PC’s for this, does it really matter too much if there’s spyware on them?

Just a thought though!