Is MediaCoder 0.7.0.4396 Safe?

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

I liked using MediaCoder in "Self-Contained" folder ... you know the .7Z packages ... you unpacked it and there it was in a folder and you just used it that way. Last version that it came this way ... it was 0.6.2.4270 (0.6.2 Buidl 4270) and it worked just fine.

But I decided to download the latest version 0.7.0.4396 (0.7.0 Build 4396) ... here are osme stuff that happened that makes me worry about this Program to be a Spyware or Trojan ...

1) Why would the "Mencoder.Exe" portion wanting to call back to home? Mencoder.exe is not even MediaCoder's program ... so how is it that wants to call back home?

2) My Comodo Firewall keep alerting me that MediaCoder (Mencoder.exe) wants to tie itself to all my wireless applications, Bluetooth, and my AntiSpyware programs (like SuperAntiSpyware)?

Q1: Does anybody have any input to these ODD behaviours of MEDIACODER?

Q2: Is this program TRUSTY!?!?

Q3: How can disable all these Call Backs to Home?

Thanks,

G!

[Starman*]

I installed MediaCoder recently. I'm no fan of apps "phoning home" so it's going to get the boot shortly. There's no way round it with the legit version as far as I know. The paid version I don't have.

I could not be bothered to check into what it's up to and whether it's harmless. Could be the guy's trying to get usage stats, or he's a Chinese Secret Service Agent spreading the H2N2 virus! I have no warnings from AVG.

[gonwk]

Hi Starman,

Thanks for your reply.

I started suspecting MediaCoder ... when I saw that with Version 0.7.0 the author started dropping the .7Z versions and only giving you .EXE.

BTW, Calling Home it is NOT the only this program is doing ... it also wants to MODIFY your Registry and ASSOCIATE itself aggressively with your Anti-Virus program ... so it can do whatever it wants .... this to me it also sounds like a TROJAN or BACKDOOR or KEYLOGGER.

I am with you he can KEEP his program. I uninstalled it immediately and ran cleaners and what not.

I wonder anyone else has any INPUT on this!!!

Thanks again,

G!

[Placio74]

a) look here > http://code.google.com/p/mediacoder/downloads/list

b) use 7-zip on installer

c) MediaCoder is under Mozilla Public License 1.1 - well, maybe ask Stanley for sources

d) report issue to Stanley (eventually on MediaCoder forum)


Also... 0.7.0 is "current developing version" - treat this as... "beta".

[gonwk]

Hi Placio,

THANKS for your reply. And Thank You for the 7Z download site ... I guess SF only carries the .exe anymore and like the old times both .exe and 7Z version.

OK ... so you are basically saying you Trust the program as "Safe". BTW, whne the program installs and you look under "Add/Remove Program" window ... it shows that MediaCoder Registers under "Broad Intelligence"!!!

G!

[minidv2dvd]

i'm not sure what you installed, but mediacoder is listed as mediacoder in add/remove programs.

[tomlee59]

Hi Placio,

THANKS for your reply. And Thank You for the 7Z download site ... I guess SF only carries the .exe anymore and like the old times both .exe and 7Z version.

OK ... so you are basically saying you Trust the program as "Safe". BTW, whne the program installs and you look under "Add/Remove Program" window ... it shows that MediaCoder Registers under "Broad Intelligence"!!!

G!

You may have downloaded the file from a different site that inserted a virus or trojan or other naughty bits. Or, you may already have a compromised machine, and it's showing up here for some reason.

Remove what you installed, do a virus scan, and then reinstall the app from the link that Placio74 mentioned. If "add/remove" still shows the name as other than MediaCoder, you have other problems.

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

Thanks for your responses and help.

1) I only download from VideoHelp ... so, why would I get any Virus!?!?

I guess Stanley the Author of the Program is trying all kinds of "Funny" stuff in his proggy!!!

2) @ Placio74 ... can you tell me how are these Sites different than the MediaCoder site that ylou provided ... and are these that I am referring to "Different" kind of MediaCoder program!?!?

http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=151884

Thanks,

G!

[Placio74]

...
2) @ Placio74 ... can you tell me how are these Sites different than the MediaCoder site that ylou provided ... and are these that I am referring to "Different" kind of MediaCoder program!?!?
...

Author of MediaCoder provides program on SourceForge.net (also Google Code too).

mediacoder.sourceforge.net it's just website on SourceForge.net (like as audacity.sourceforge.net).

Look at final download link from mediacoder.sourceforge.net - source is SourceForge.net of course.


Some other...
When install (latest 0.7.0.4399) in choose componens can see RelevantKnowledge Survey - disabled by default.
After choose componens can see OpenCandy, which proposes to install some soft (Audacity for example) - Do not install by default.

Well... technically some versions of MediaCoder is adware (like as VideoInspector or MediaInfo).
However, additionally nothing is installed (without the user's choice and acceptance).

[gonwk]

Hi Placio,

THANKS as usual for responding back and helping me out.

1) Appreciate the explanation on different URLs for MediaCoder. The Google one that you gave me had the 7Z ... that is the one I am using.

2) When looking in the MediaCoder 0.7.0.4388 program folder (or even latest version of Mediacoder) ... I notice that the "Mencoder.exe" program that Mediacoder uses is way too small in size comparing with MEncoder.exe Original Files from Sourceforge ... 4337KB versus 12530KB respectively.

Q1: Why such a difference in size? Does Mediacoder compile it's own version of Mencoder.exe!?!?

Q2: Why is Mediacoder 0.7.0 continually trying to call home ... vs 0.6.0 that does not?

Placio ... by the way, I just learned something NEW from you ... I did NOT realize that MediaInfo is also an Adware! Go Figure ... I guess I will Stop using it and use GSpot instead.

I stopped using VideoInspector just for that reason!

Thanks again,

G!

[Placio74]

... Q1: Why such a difference in size? Does Mediacoder compile it's own version of Mencoder.exe!?!?...

Yes.
Can use other build (not only from SourceForge).

... Q2: Why is Mediacoder 0.7.0 continually trying to call home ... vs 0.6.0 that does not?

Disabled RSS feed tab?

Other...
MediaCoder interface is based on XUL - access to 127.0.0.1 (localhost) is required.

... I did NOT realize that MediaInfo is also an Adware! Go Figure ... I guess I will Stop using it and use GSpot instead. ...

Only technically adware - this is not equal to spyware or malware.
Only few last MediaInfo installers contain OpenCandy.
Also, can aways download 7z version without installer.

GSpot is still usefull, but for AVI and MPG (not support MKV, OGG, M2TS, ...).
MediaInfo support many more formats and is very often updated.

... I stopped using VideoInspector just for that reason!

Can use VideoInspector Lite (without RelevantKnowledge).


Do not panic. Think. Not always blindly believe Antivirus and similar soft (sometime possible false positive).
In this case - You are not forced to install RelevantKnowledge (disabled by default) and to install soft proposes by OpenCandy (Do not install by default) - also, it's not required to install and use the proper program.

Some other...
BS.player 1.37 version and earlier = freeware
BS.player 1.38 to 2.28 = definitely adware (installed and required infamous WhenU - later AdVantege)
BS.player 2.30 to latest = hmm... technically adware (propose install own BS.Player ControlBar and propose set own search and homepage - but it's not required)

Some other...
Can use 7-Zip on MediaCoder, MediaInfo and BS.player installers (to extract contents).

[gonwk]

Dude Placio,

I am learning so much from YOU ... I am beginning to be Dangerous!

THANKS SO MUCH for your Patience and Sharing Your Knowledge!

G!

[Placio74]

Today Stanley repackage installer MediaCoder 0.7.0.4399.

Installer from SourceForge does not contain RelevantKnowledge Survey.
SHA1: 4f09bb68b4c5baec869f723c78d31ba4383e1ba7
MD5: c2e62592dfcba7c975cce82238efb129


Installer from Google Code - still contain RelevantKnowledge Survey and worse... is running before choose components.

[gonwk]

Hi Placio,

This Stanley guy must be listening to people's comment ... or why would he have 2 or 3 different format of installer for the same darn version number.

Q: Palcio how do you use these SHA1 and MD5 numbers to make sure a software is "Safe" and "Legit"!?!?

Thanks,

G!

[Placio74]

This Stanley guy must be listening to people's comment ...

http://forum.mediacoderhq.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6613

Q: Palcio how do you use these SHA1 and MD5 numbers to make sure a software is "Safe" and "Legit"!?!?

Use HashTools, HashTab, HashMyFiles or some similar - generate SHA1 or MD5 hash from downloaded installer and compare.


BTW
Used 7-Zip can look inside installer, also can unpack contents.