Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware

[Rinix]

https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/264411-flight-sim-labs-caught-deliberately-distributing-malware-gaming-mods
This is just awful.

[Asid]

I read about it a day or 2 ago.

I think it is SHOCKING what the developer has done!

Thanks for bringing it to others attention Rinix 

[Asid]

The developer admitted including the malware.

Avsim, one of, if not the largest flightsim sites has removed all posts about the subject........

[Lusik]

The developer admitted including the malware.

Avsim, one of, if not the largest flightsim sites has removed all posts about the subject........

They are not the only portal which wrote about it so this kind of censorship is futile. Flight sim community, particularly its part buying expensive add-ons, is small compared to other, more popular genres, so hopefully quite a few people managed to hear about it. I read about it in another source even before Rinix posted this message. Thanks for sharing it by the was.

[Beef]

I have stated before that I refuse to pay $140 for an add-on and that FSL would suffer from piracy. I suppose FSL knew this as well and intentionally put malicious code into their software in anticipation of widespread piracy of their overpriced addon. Two "wrongs" do not make a "right". Shocking, and criminal in my view. I think the US Federal Trade Commission and DOJ should investigate.

Also, I'm not surprised AVSIM has removed the posts; that site is all about protecting the developers (i.e., PMDG) and not the consumers. I rarely got to AVSIM anymore, and as of now will not be going there at all.

-Beef

[Attila]

FSLabs made a very bad decision, I hope they will go down, it is not about they pricing policy.
It is about deliberately installing a VIRUS (and this is not DRM) on they customers computer.
This is a criminal act and i hope some one will sue them for this.

FSLabs = 

Check this out, about test.exe (how f***** mental FSLab is): https://www.fidusinfosec.com/fslabs-flight-simulation-labs-dropping-malware-to-combat-piracy/

[Asid]

FSLabs were also accused of stealing assets from Aerosoft:

from r/flightsim

Also the main dev at FSLabs was apparently responsible for a DRM which would delete the "Shaders" folder in an FSX install which used a pirated copy of the PMDG MD11. Problem is that genuine customers were affected as well.

They DID deliberately put malware on peoples systems. They retrieved data which they did not encrypt and was accessible quite easily to most people. They only pulled it when people got the pitchforks out!

What bothers me is the websites which are deleting genuine discussion about this.

 

[Beef]

This video is an excellent recap on the FSLabs issue:

[Asid]

This video is an excellent recap on the FSLabs issue:

Yep. I saw that.

If you look at the "apology" from FSLabs, it does not seem sincere. "As I mentioned in the first paragraph above, I wanted to ensure full disclosure first and foremost to our customers, some of who feel their trust was violated."

"Full disclosure"? They were called out and people realised that the malware was there. That is why they acknowledged it. However it took them a while to acknowledge it and they even tried to turn it back on one of the users who discovered the problem!

They have done strange things before, like the PMDG MD11 shader folder disappearing act.

What gets me though is so many people are covering it up 

[Skoop]

Man, I wanted to get this one, but not now.  Another lost sale for them.  I guess I'll just wait for the Aerosoft Airbus pro version 64 bit updates coming around the corner.

[Asid]

AVSIM is still  FSLabs . Here is what they said a few days ago when someone was discussing the pros and cons of 2 different A320's .

How is them deleting posts and making threats staying neutral? 

Thread and link here

188AHC
Microsoft Flight Forum Moderator
Posted March 9

"Just a note  - Please do not attempt to discuss the DRM as that will result in this post being locked. Avsim has determined that it prefers to remain neutral in this controversy.

Thank you. "

[Beef]

AVSIM using the acronym "DRM" to describe the virus that FSLabs included with their product isn't being honest either.

[Asid]

[Asid]

Flight Sim Labs threaten Reddit with legal action for not censoring posts!

FSL new aircraft the A319 has been critiscised for its DRM again. FSL have a new PR manager. He went on the attack  and threatened Reddit with legal action. Simon, the PR manager, said "Welcome robust fair comments". 

The censor everyone they can and forums like Avsim help them to do it. Go and check. You won't find posts on this or the last time they did the BS on there.

FSL?



Post by Reddit admins


Emails from Simon the FSL marketing and PR manager

[Beef]