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CheapTickets ripoff Search Engine Virus Internet
My computer has been invaded by a search engine that I did not install and can't seem to remove thus far. Cheap Tickets.com is one of the businesses that keeps popping up on the searches that come up even though I haven't done a search. I'm trying to report some of the major companies using this method of marketing.
I don't understand why they would do this since I would think that most people would react as I have, which is certainly NOT to buy anything from the vendors that keep popping up. The search engine appears every time I use explorer, and sometimes even reroutes me to various vendors or even shuts off explorer out of the blue.
It's been a terrible annoyance and slows down whatever work I'm doing repeatedly. Anyone finding a cure for this virus, PLEASE let me know. There are a couple we've tried, but this seems to be a mutation and does not respond.
Luanne
Somerset, California
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Thomas
Anderson,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Don't we all just love people who post like short-sighted ******?
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, February 06, 2008
Or was Jon merely PRETENDING to be from "cheapie"? How do we know?
So cheapie tickets has won free publicity, here? But not, it would seem, GOOD publicity? Way to go, cheapie!! I am sure your business will prosper long term!!
I am sure all know about Spybot Search & Destroy, BitDefender, LavaSoft, and other antivirus & spybot-removal tools. Consumer Reports rated these handy tools a few months back. Give it a read.......
Itmgr
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
reply to luanne
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, February 06, 2008
Just a note to re-enforce Luanne's complaint. Our TrendMicro found three instances of Pak_Generic.001 virus downloaded when a user went to cheaptickets.com. At our site that URL has been blocked.
Jon
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Thanx for contacting Cheaptickets.com
#6UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 03, 2005
Thank you for contacting Cheap Tickets.
We would like to refer you to our Privacy Policy on our website to address the issues you have presented: http://www.cheaptickets.com/trs/cheaptickets/content/about_us/privacy.xsl
For exceptional savings on discounted flights, lodging, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises, and more, visit cheaptickets.com today!
Thanks for making Cheap Tickets your premier travel provider.
Thanks,
The Cheap Tickets Team
Just click. You're there.
Cheaptickets.com
Luanne
Somerset,California,
U.S.A.
Reiteration of what "Jon" apparently didn't read before responding
#6Author of original report
Thu, June 23, 2005
I thought I was clear in my original post, but I will attempt to correct Jon's misunderstanding. Cheaptickets and many other businesses are apparently using marketing services that use computer viruses to install a search program that runs its own searches, when the user hasn't done anything but open Exploreer, and surprise! the searches keep leading to these various businesses.
I find it interesting that Jon doesn't seem to believe that these big name businesses should have any interest in the actions of the marketing services they use.
When I tried to email a couple of the businesses to let them know how their names and websites were being used, they gave me the same story, and I quote, "We can't be responsible for what the marketing services do that we hire because they are outside businesses." That's about the stupidest thing I've ever heard, since of course, one could quit using that marketing service if one didn't approve of the type of marketing being done.
And if the virus was just someone's idea of fun with no possible connection to these businesses, (gotta admire those altruistic virus geeks who just want to provide free advertising)why wouldn't the businesses I contacted simply say that?
I didn't think I needed to mention that I of course have the most up to date virus protection available, since I thought that was assumed these days. Is there anyone left who doesn't have virus protection?
Even my 80 year old grandmother put it on her computer. This virus was a mutation that at the time of my post didn't have a cure.
It took hours of research and computer dinking to get rid of that particular virus and I since have found many others similarly affected (Yes, despite their having virus protection, Jon).
Every business is concerned with how it's name is being used, Jon. That's why they can be copyrighted.
Jon
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
You must be kidding?!
#6UPDATE Employee
Thu, June 23, 2005
You honestly think that cheaptickets.com part of a multi-billion dollar corporation is wasting it's time and opening the doors to lawsuits by crashing your little computer with a virus?! Because clearly that would draw every ones business, who wouldn't want a computer virus?!
Hey, Hey I've got it, next time why don't we send a power surge through to your computer when we know you don't have your surge protector hooked up! Yeah, Yeah that's it!!!
Next time before you open an email, try installing virus software on your computer.