Installation failure

[Gascar]

I apologize in advance, it'll probably be my fault. I've had a few instals work before but...

I need Acrobat Pro. 

Downloaded the one at the top of the list Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20048 (x86 - x64) Multilingual + A

Looked ok.
ran the setup.exe
I declined ALL the marvellous search toolbars, offers to install survey software etc.
the installn wizard said it had installed, but it hasn't.

Am I being naive - can I only get it if I accept a load of crap software?


cheers

[dueda]

It's FAKE! Probably malware, a trojan program designed to install a virus, worm, keylogger, rootkit...
First, the size (15.89 MB) doesn't match the app; second, that user has plenty of other uploads with the same characteristics.
Those were uploaded "en masse" at the same date and time, indicating a possible automated job just to flood us with his bogus stuff.

- Learn the ropes, check everything and everyone before downloading.
- If you're unsure, only get stuff from the VIP uploaders (the guys with pink or green skull icons).
- Keep your shields up (firewall and anti-malware). Use a sandbox if possible.
- Read the FAQ and learn the basics from this and other sites!

[Gascar]

It's FAKE! Probably malware, a trojan program designed to install a virus, worm, keylogger, rootkit...
First, the size (15.89 MB) doesn't match the app; second, that user has plenty of other uploads with the same characteristics.
Those were uploaded "en masse" at the same date and time, indicating a possible automated job just to flood us with his bogus stuff.

- Learn the ropes, check everything and everyone before downloading.
- If you're unsure, only get stuff from the VIP uploaders (the guys with pink or green skull icons).
- Keep your shields up (firewall and anti-malware). Use a sandbox if possible.
- Read the FAQ and learn the basics from this and other sites!

Thanks dueda. I did look in FAQs but there's nothing relevant there, nor in Downloading Files.
Ah there's ANOTHER FAQ under General , which points to this:
https://torrentfreak.com/stop-downloadin...ts-071204/



pink or green skull icons - ok thanks

I assumed if there were many Seeders & Leechers, that would indicate goodth.

I don't really understand what a Tracker is - and yes I have googled it, or how to use a sandbox - steep curve.

[ill88eagle]

I assumed if there were many Seeders & Leechers, that would indicate goodth.

I don't really understand what a Tracker is

A tracker is like a phonebook where seeders and leechers are registered. Your torrent client calls the tracker and tells it what torrents you are downloading and/or seeding. The tracker then gives you a bunch of peers (a swarm) it knows about having the same content in their client. As such, the amount of seeders and leechers (size of the swarm) is significant to how fast your download is, and also says something about the popularity of the torrent.

BUT

Seeder/leecher stats from one tracker are not representative of the entire swarm, as torrents mostly have multiple trackers varying with the site they are indexed on, the time of indexing etc. Furthermore there is the DHT network which works without a tracker (or rather, client programs do the tracking, exchanging their bits and pieces of phonebook).

AND

It is relatively easy to spoof peer stats on a tracker, which a lot of pro fakers do: you just need a script that knows how to talk to the tracker and tell it: "I am seeding this torrent (infohash) from this IP with this client" times many.

SO

The seed/leech stats you see on TPB is at best indicative of the swarm size, and at worst an outright hoax

how to use a sandbox - steep curve.

https://sandboxie-plus.com/ is pretty straight forward. Also free and open source. Here is a tutorial from the old SuprBay: https://web.archive.org/web/200911231012...?tid=28177

(Also dropping this gem: Elin's old tut-index)

You might also consider running a virtual machine for all your pirate ventures. Easy to back up. No overhead. https://www.virtualbox.org/

[dueda]

https://torrentfreak.com/stop-downloadin...ts-071204/
I assumed if there were many Seeders & Leechers, that would indicate goodth.
I don't really understand what a Tracker is - and yes I have googled it, or how to use a sandbox - steep curve.

You're welcome, and thanks for that TF link you gave us, very useful stuff!

I just didn't notice it but the site you used is a TPB proxy. My fault, apologies 
*A functional but non-official copy in case the real site is unavailable; while many are well intended, most don't handle threats well - Avoid if possible.

As scammers fake torrents, they also forge stats just to fool us into thinking that, but only the first few days of a very expected release (like a huge blockbuster movie) will peak high.
Likewise, a zero doesn't make an orphaned torrent, just not found at the moment (when?) a tracker looked for it.

"The cheerful birdie" ill88eagle provided some good links and sandboxes are easy to use, just follow instructions. I see you can search for info very well, shouldn't be so hard. 

[Gascar]

Thanks guys. I'm sure that'll make perfect sense, after the first 7 reads of the links.

I'm a bit limited on PB sites to use, I'm only using Opera's free VPN which may be why.
I've found some sites won't download anything unless you buy NordVPN. I don't have any games or movies or music or porn so I'm not too worried they'll come to get me.

Never had this bother when I first got Access 2002...

[ill88eagle]

Thanks guys. I'm sure that'll make perfect sense, after the first 7 reads of the links.

I'm a bit limited on PB sites to use, I'm only using Opera's free VPN which may be why.
I've found some sites won't download anything unless you buy NordVPN. I don't have any games or movies or music or porn so I'm not too worried they'll come to get me.

Never had this bother when I first got Access 2002...

Install TOR browser and use the official onion page, or just https://thepiratebay.org/ in your TOR browser. No need for VPN.

Depending on the laws where you live, downloading without co- I mean VPN might get you into trouble tho.

[dueda]

I gave it a look right now...

From https://thepiratebay.org
Adobe Acrobat PRO DC 2020.009.20063 FULL [TheWindowsForum]      2020-05-12 925.83 MiB 86 6 ThumperTM      VIP     
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20048 + Activator                 2020-10-18 911.91 MiB  3 0 Llama_Cookie   Trusted 
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20041 (x32/x64)[Multi][Full]      2020-08-17 520.6  MiB  2 0 WSI            Trusted
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20074 + Activation                2020-12-11 912.09 MiB  0 0 Llama_Cookie   Trusted
Adobe Acrobat PRO DC 2020.009.20063 FULL (Activated)            2020-10-02 911.65 MiB  8 0 jimohio
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20074 + Patch [SadeemPC]          2020-12-09 924.87 MiB  8 1 SadeemPC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20043 Ml                          2020-08-19 926.31 MiB  2 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20048 Ml                          2020-09-23 926.25 MiB  2 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.006.20034 Ml                          2020-02-11 919.67 MiB  1 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.006.20034 Multilingual+Crack[BabuPC]  2020-02-12 938.32 MiB  1 1 BabuPC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20063 Multilingual                2020-05-12 925.52 MiB  1 0 mishhh
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20063 Ml                          2020-05-12 926.41 MiB  1 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20063 Ml                          2020-05-13 926.41 MiB  1 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20067 Multilingual+Crack[BabuPC]  2020-06-03 923.77 MiB  1 0 BabuPC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20041 Multilingual.Activation     2020-08-11 927.69 MiB  1 0 stepanek.lbc
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20074 Ml                          2020-12-09 927.5  MiB  1 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.006.20034 ML.crack                    2020-02-11 919.13 MiB  0 1 stepanek.lbc
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20063 Multilingual.patch          2020-05-12 923.77 MiB  0 1 brasil080
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20065 Ml                          2020-05-21 926.34 MiB  0 1 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20067 Ml                          2020-06-02 926.42 MiB  0 1 jabbatrix 
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20067 Multilingual.Activation     2020-06-02 923.78 MiB  0 1 stepanek.lbc
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.009.20067 Multilingual + Activation   2020-06-20 923.81 MiB  0 1 daviddcsl
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20041 Ml                          2020-08-11 926.23 MiB  0 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20048 Multilingual.Activation     2020-09-23 928.97 MiB  0 1 stepanek.lbc
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20064 Ml                          2020-11-03 927.52 MiB  0 0 jabbatrix
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20066 Multilingual.Activation     2020-11-23 930.34 MiB  0 1 stepanek.lbc
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20066 + Activation[iMarcos]       2020-11-23 924.89 MiB  0 1 iMarcosEduardo

Very well, this should be easy as we didn't get thousands of options... Well, TPB will limit searches to a hundred anyway. One is VIP (green), three are "Trusted" (pink).
Keep in mind good uploaders eventually do let some bad stuff pass because they don't thoroughly check everything they put on TPB.

One thing grabs my attention right away: Thumper (coincidentally, the green skull) has a "TheWindowsForum" label; Does TWF release warez? Nevermind. Older version anyway.

First, all around the same size but one - WSI has a file considerably smaller (near 40% smaller than most).
I look up, seems like the guy uploads a lot of utilities and apps with crack or keygen. Nothing suspect so far. Can't tell why his version is smaller without downloading it and a few others for test.

Second, Llama_cookie has two releases, one is recent. Due some bug in TPB, can't access that uploader torrent list. His most recent version couldn't open here, too (the second other does).

Third, Jabbatrix has half the releases for that title, one recent, he's doing it for a short time but consistently, and has just a few uploads.

Ok, now comes the dicey, shady part: I pick one to check, that's it. Will put the magnet links for three of them in case you can't load TPB. -- NOTE: #3 couldn't start here now and #5 has no skull.

1. Adobe Acrobat PRO DC 2020.009.20063 FULL [TheWindowsForum]   2020-05-12     925.83 MiB  86 6 ThumperTM
   
   
2. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20041 (x32/x64)[Multi][Full]          2020-08-17     520.6   MiB   2  0 WSI
   
   
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20074 + Activation                        2020-12-11     912.09 MiB   0  0 Llama_Cookie
   
   
4. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.012.20048 + Activator                          2020-10-18     911.91 MiB   3  0 Llama_Cookie
   
   
5. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020.013.20074 Ml                                       2020-12-09        927.5 MiB     1  0 jabbatrix
   

[*]Virus alert? Check what exactly the AV program is squeaking about, many times it's just the crack (piracy is evil) or the PUP (toolbar, etc) that comes along.

I take no responsibility for any damages, legal implications, or just bad luck. You were warned and are on your own.

[Gascar]

Thanks, but I'm getting nowhere now.
Every download I've tried wants me to add a browser extension of one sort or another.
Browse Trorrents > WIndows gets me

quote
"Error 1007 Ray ID: 64e81e85db8b4a9e • 2021-05-13 01:30:02 UTC
Access denied
What happened?

The owner of this website (engine.spotscenered.info) has banned your IP address (104.244.72.123)." end quote

Typical otherwise, eg from this link:
https://thepiratebay.org/description.php?id=41823482
or your https://thepiratebay.org/description.php?id=36141365

is site http://btb.abtuc.site/tqj/pa?cid=2668431...ih....long..
wanting me to add FavTab

I can't Uninstall tor - windows can't see it.
Malware?
I'll try a few things...

---

[br]
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.
.
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I "System Restored" to a couple of weeks ago.

I still can't uninstall Tor browser - should I be able to?

I reinstalled Tor Browser , which behaved differently this time. It apperently replaced the previous installation instead of just declaring it had failed.

I opened TPB in Tor and it behaved more as I remembered - slow but OK.
I actually have Acrobat Pro in THIS pc - oldish but ok,so I don't want to corrupt it. (I need it on my school laptop.) SO I went ahead to try to download other things on tis PC - a couple of boring books, and Adobe Illustrator.
ALL of them took me immediately to that page referred to above wanting me to install FavTab.

It looks from here as though maybe the Tor browser installation was infected, and still is partly, or the TPB page is interefered with in some way.

Could it be the BitTorrent client?

Malwarebytes finds nothing.
I guess I'm facing a wipe of the disc and Win 10 reinstallation? Then re-find all the sw from somewhere. Ugh.

[dueda]

What you describe sounds like a severe infection - You probably downloaded a bad program at some point and your system went awol.

From the Tor on-line manual:

Removing Tor Browser from your system is simple - On Windows:
- Locate your Tor Browser folder or application. The default location is the Desktop.
- Delete the Tor Browser folder or application.
- Empty your Trash.

* You may need a file unlocker if the file is open and/or a task killer if it is running in background or as a service.

I guess I'm facing a wipe of the disc and Win 10 reinstallation? Then re-find all the sw...

Before jumping to extreme ways, I suggest you try other tools, like Panda or Avira (to stay on the mainstream side) or an off-line AV (boot time) like MS Defender Off-Line Scan.
I'm no virus specialist, maybe someone else can come with better suggestions, but it's possible your other PCs are also infected. Get a fresh USB stick and load it with a boot time Anti-Virus (live CD image, etc).
Obviously, the download of such remedy should be from another, clean PC. Anything downloaded on your main PC now shouldn't be trusted, but sometimes it does work... sometimes, if you're very lucky.
Note that any cracked programs may be detected as malware and removed by some anti-viruses. A backup of important data -before- doing anything is very recommended.

About safe mode https://blog.malwarebytes.com/101/2015/01/safe-mode/
About boot time and external access https://www.howtogeek.com/187037/how-to-...e-windows/
A few options (although just a couple look promising) https://www.lifewire.com/free-bootable-a...ls-2625785