Platte does not remove properly.

[Sponge]

After playing with their software a bit, I noticed something funny.

If you cancel within the trial period (using the cancel gateway), and then try to install again, you are given an error which says you've already got a current subscription to Platte. The processes are still there on uninstall too.

And you all probably know this as it's in the T&C I think, but the software works entirely on your system clock. If you change the date on your clock and then run cancel gateway, it will give you bills for the months and months of service you've obviously used. Lol.

[jonlewi5]

hi sponge,

yes i noticed that even selecting to cancel the subscription removes no files from your computer, i never tried changing the system clock, good idea, 

[Sponge]

Haha, unlike you did I've decided to just use my PC as a testing ground for the software. I can't be bothered to get a virtual machine. Oh, the sexxxpassport installer used to disable system restore as soon as you ran it but obviously that's not an issue anymore because the sexxxpassport site is gone.

I've probably got myself about a million outstanding subscriptions to platte which I find hilarious, as their entire system is illegal. Their lengthy terms and conditions talk about the subscription cancellation process so much yet there's no such thing. Back in the early days of MBS I don't think they even had a fake uninstaller.

Did you ever find out what the remove gateway thing you use to cancel your subscription does? As it makes a connection to the internet I suspect it just does something to platte's supposed database of accounts they have.

[Sponge]

Apologies for double post, but they've now got themselves a whole new thing for the porn called "movie recall", and a new load of ads targeted at Germany, except it just says "FREE PORN" in German but gives the terms and conditions in English rofl.

The aforementioned system clock thing doesn't seem to work with movie recall and their new installers/uninstallers, however the uninstaller STILL doesn't remove anything.

[matt_d]

Yes, Platte is at it again. The "movie recall" web site you mention (I don't recommend visiting it) was registered to Platte Media on 15th August 2008 (about two weeks ago)

Aside from the explicit (OK, no more than The Sun publishes, granted) images on the front page, all it asks for is a date of birth before showing particularly explicit "teasers" and inviting download, at which point more insidious software begins downloading. I'm on a Mac, so can't test (and won't be testing) it.

I wonder how many other web properties Platte is planning on starting up?

[jonlewi5]

Haha, unlike you did I've decided to just use my PC as a testing ground for the software. I can't be bothered to get a virtual machine. Oh, the sexxxpassport installer used to disable system restore as soon as you ran it but obviously that's not an issue anymore because the sexxxpassport site is gone.

I've probably got myself about a million outstanding subscriptions to platte which I find hilarious, as their entire system is illegal. Their lengthy terms and conditions talk about the subscription cancellation process so much yet there's no such thing. Back in the early days of MBS I don't think they even had a fake uninstaller.

Did you ever find out what the remove gateway thing you use to cancel your subscription does? As it makes a connection to the internet I suspect it just does something to platte's supposed database of accounts they have.

lol, i wish i could use the my laptop as a testing ground, its just that the platte software wont run on linux

anyway, in regards to cancelling subscription, i only did the once, just to see the outcome and this was with one of the orignal MBS installers (if i remember correctly) it made no changes to the file on the pc, at a guess, id say it was likely just changing records at the MBS/platte side, ie maybe they have an database of all users (probably sql if the cancel button reuiered a inet connetion). If this is the case we would have no way of knowing if any changes are actually made at there side as it will all be on a backend server. 

[Sponge]

Yeah, I just checked some stuff out @ what the uninstaller does.

It connects to "www.platteregistrations.com", well, 195.92.11.229 and passes information to "cancel.php" which in the uninstaller I used was located in the directory "www.platteregistrations.com/9/". The only other numbered directories I've found seem to be /3/, /8/ and /9/.

It passes your e-mail on if you've given an e-mail. That changes my initial perception that it was a rubbish e-mailing program that sent an e-mail to yourself and did nothing else. It definitely sends information to their database. Basically it sends all of the obvious crap like your e-mail and the stuff they need to connect, then it sends a load of encrypted stuff (which I'll take a look into later), and you receive back some basic info + encrypted stuff.

Probably worth noting that if you cancel inside the trial period THEN attempt to uninstall again, it doesn't tell you "you have canceled inside the trial period", nor does it give you the date you cancelled. It simply tells you to "see bill". If it's telling me to look at the bill after I've canceled I THINK PLATTE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THEIR SOFTWARE BECAUSE IT'S A BIT BROKEN.

Anyway I'll brb, gotta remove this stuff from my PC again.

[matt_d]

It would be *nice* if Platte's public relations department would stop lurking and address some of these issues.

However, my experience is that the company is far better at throwing around worthless legal threats and spouting a lot of hot air, than having any technical knowledge to sort the problems out.

If this is the standard we're to expect from the people who programmed the software, what possible chance is there that the admin people are going to know what's going on?

(By the way, that's no disrespect to administrators, merely to Platte, both technical and "customer" support is laughable)

[Sponge]

Thankyou for your cancellation request for MovieRecall

Our records show that your account was registered at 17:01 on 03/09/2008 and we confirm that you have cancelled within your three day free trial period.

Further to your cancellation you will not be able to access the site following 06/09/2008 at 17:01.

If you would like to uninstall the software from your PC, please call our uninstall line FREE on 0800 051 6664 for instructions.

Should you have any queries regarding this email or your subscription please call our customer services team on 0845 017 8386

Please retain this email for your records.

I don't like that. This e-mail basically says that the 3-day trial crap is total rubbish. You're going to get harassed by the software either way, just call us and we'll fix it right up for you!

Surely this is an issue for trading standards?

[ForumFriend]

Sponge, I'd tend to agree.  If you want it to be forwarded to them for their view on the matter, email me privately.

[Sponge]

I doubt I have the time to follow up the matter. My internet is being cut off (at least I'm pretty sure it is) come Sunday. Sorry about that.

BTW there are a few old versions of their installers on wayback. Even though the sexxxpassport site no longer exists, the software still attempts to connect to the internet + sends you to their site to login. Not sure if it installs properly though, I'll probably check sometime later.

[ForumFriend]

Did you get my reply to you, Sponge?  If not, post here and I'll resend (there are a few broadband problems in my area at the moment).

[jonlewi5]

Yeah, I just checked some stuff out @ what the uninstaller does.

It connects to "www.platteregistrations.com", well, 195.92.11.229 and passes information to "cancel.php" which in the uninstaller I used was located in the directory "www.platteregistrations.com/9/". The only other numbered directories I've found seem to be /3/, /8/ and /9/.

It passes your e-mail on if you've given an e-mail. That changes my initial perception that it was a rubbish e-mailing program that sent an e-mail to yourself and did nothing else. It definitely sends information to their database. Basically it sends all of the obvious crap like your e-mail and the stuff they need to connect, then it sends a load of encrypted stuff (which I'll take a look into later), and you receive back some basic info + encrypted stuff.

Probably worth noting that if you cancel inside the trial period THEN attempt to uninstall again, it doesn't tell you "you have canceled inside the trial period", nor does it give you the date you cancelled. It simply tells you to "see bill". If it's telling me to look at the bill after I've canceled I THINK PLATTE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THEIR SOFTWARE BECAUSE IT'S A BIT BROKEN.

Anyway I'll brb, gotta remove this stuff from my PC again.

NICE

i dont know if iv cuaght u on time before your internet gets cut off, but could you forward me this encrypted stuff, wouldnt mind taking a look, cheers

[Sponge]

NICE

i dont know if iv cuaght u on time before your internet gets cut off, but could you forward me this encrypted stuff, wouldnt mind taking a look, cheers

I've moved to university now, got myself new internet. I don't have any of it RIGHT now cos I've just started on a new laptop and stuff but if/when I get the chance I'll do it again for you.

[jonlewi5]

NICE

i dont know if iv cuaght u on time before your internet gets cut off, but could you forward me this encrypted stuff, wouldnt mind taking a look, cheers

I've moved to university now, got myself new internet. I don't have any of it RIGHT now cos I've just started on a new laptop and stuff but if/when I get the chance I'll do it again for you.

cheers