BleepingComputer.com: ExpatSheild

Hello there,

I am hoping to find some independent advice about an application called expatsheild. It is an executable that allows British Ex-Patriots (never liked that term, there is nothing "ex" about my patriotism) to watch UK TV through the various netplayers available. It does this by giving the user a UK IP address via VPN which fools the iPlayer or 4OD etc into thinking it is OK to display the content.

I installed it for a friend and was dismayed to see that all Google search results were then faked, I have since heard from other people that have installed it that they only get pop ups and it has caused no problems for them. I am aware however that the best hijacks are very subtle and that your average computer user wouldn't have any idea if they had been hijacked.

I would very much like to hear from folks more knowledgeable than me in computer security regarding this application as I suspect that there is probably more than just browser hijacking going on.

I did search first (Google and this forum) got nothing, I am aware of the other services out there and that iPlayer is going worldwide soon.

Many thanks in advance.

Looks like it's an actual app. That being said, it doesn't mean that there wasn't some sort of foist ware included from where ever you got it.

http://download.cnet.com/Expat-Shield/3000-2092_4-75211377.html

http://expat-shield.en.softonic.com/

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/Expat-Shield.shtml

Those are three reputable download sites that have the application.

That being said cnet has been known to bundle some self serving adware/bloatware in their downloads. Not necessarily malware, but there was some negative press over it.

See this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic415784.html

Thankyou Animal,

Then I am going to try again, for myself too, I do miss the BBC.

Yep, already not keen on cnet for those reasons, hadn't heard of softonic before either, bookmarked.