I thought there was something up on my computer. It was not it’s old self. I also noticed that “Relevant Knowledge” wanted to be added onto my Google Chrome as an add-on. What is going on I thought?
I started my anti-spyware program along with my anti-virus and guess what? It found spyware. Relevant Knowledge is spyware. The program, Chit Chat for Facebook, that Allfacebook.com recommended had spyware in it. At first I was not sure if the recommended Chit Chat for Facebook was the cause of a possible infection. After some checking of the comments on Allfacebook.com, the answer was clear. Chit Chat for Facebook contains Relevant Knowledge, which is spyware.
The anti-spyware program needed a reboot to finished the removal of Relevant Knowledge from the registry. Now I am scanning again to see if my computer is clean.
Since I gave the program my username and password to login, I immediately changed my Facebook password. This is a must. If you are ever compromised, you need to change passwords immediately. I also uninstalled Chit Chat for Facebook immediately as well.
So let’s look at the “What to do” list after my misadventure:
- Run anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. Delete infection.
- I checked around on Internet to find out more information on problem. The information was there to tell me that Chit Chat for Facebook had spyware.
- Remove offending program: Chit Chat for Facebook
- Clean out any install files for program.
- Clean out the Recycle Bin to get rid of install files for program.
- Rerun anti-spyware and anti-virus programs till your computer is clean.
- Change any passwords that may have become compromised.
I do not blame Allfacebook.com for my misadventure. Anyone can make a mistake and recommend something. I have to stand on guard against these threats. Hopefully Allfacebook.com will get tot the bottom of this for everyone. So far so good; no signs of infection. But it is not over till the scans are done. So be careful out there. Don’t install Chit Chat for Facebook.
Post Scan Comments
If you have been infected, I used MalwareBytes to remove it. The second scan with Malwarebytes was clean. Just waiting for my anti-virus to finish.
Great post Jeff. People should follow this advice all the time.
Rob, thanks for all the help getting this going. I appreciate our friendship.
I’m just amazed that allfacebook.com has yet to amend their post – even with comments about the spyware….
What amazes me John is that Chit Chat for Facebook seems to have been endorsed by many. There must have been something injected into the latest version/build. This is not the Allfacebook.com that I know and have come to trust. Like you, I am awaiting there response. Thanks John.
What amazes me John is that Chit Chat for Facebook seems to have been endorsed by many. There must have been something injected into the latest version/build. Allfacebook.com did not allow my comment to be posted yesterday. This is not the Allfacebook.com that I know and have come to trust. Like you, I am awaiting there response. Thanks John.
You saved me on this one Jeff. I agree John. I will post this article in the comments.
Let’s see if allfacebook.com approves my comment. There are comments complaining about the spyware.
Very easy and quick…thank you so much, I was about to go to Best Buy and have them fix it. Save the money.
http://www.cleanpcguide.com/remove-chit-chat-removal-guide-how-to-remove-chit-chat/
I came here after getting distrustful about the RelevantKnowledge screen in the ChitChat installer. I subsequently cancelled the installer. After exiting the installer showed me a webpage saying I can install ChitChat WITHOUT the RelevantKnowledge addon by declining it’s License Agreement. Just thought I’d throw that out.
@vincent.vancalbergh I have seen people complaining about it but? honestly speaking it’s not a virus. The software is used to measure online activity. I also thought it to be a virus initially but then found their website relevant knowledge dot come. I did not have any problem in uninstalling it.
Relevantknowledge is not a virus. It is a Research software. If you find it annoying, you can uninstall it from control panel. You can read more about this software on their website relevantknowledge.com
@SunnyAakash I can believe it’s not a virus. But I wanted a chat-program. Not a “online activity measuring” program. I’d like to be able to choose that myself. And I’d rather NOT install it at all if I’m only going to uninstall it right after…
Please be assured that comScore, the parent company of RelevantKnowledge, has invested substantial resources in making our data collection and privacy practices the best they can possibly be. Our company adheres to industry-accepted best practices regarding the collection and secure storage of the data collected by software such as RelevantKnowledge.
comScore is recognized as a leader in the privacy space by organizations such as the OnlineTrust Alliance, where our co-founder Gian Fulgoni was a panelist earlier this year, along with representatives from the FTC and TRUSTe. (link to http://blog.comscore.com/2012/01/comscore_ftc_and_truste_headline_privacy_town_hall.html).
If you have further questions about RelevantKnowledge, please visit our website: http://www.relevantknowledge.com/faq.aspx
Thank you,
RelevantKnowledge Customer Support Team
@vincent.vancalbergh