Avsim, one of, if not the largest flightsim sites has removed all posts about the subject........ :bullshit
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.
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Beef on February 24, 2018, 05:02:22 AM
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
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Attila on February 25, 2018, 08:20:56 AM
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. :Wag finger
FSLabs = :R.I.P.
Check this out, about test.exe (how f***** mental FSLab is): https://www.fidusinfosec.com/fslabs-flight-simulation-labs-dropping-malware-to-combat-piracy/ (https://www.fidusinfosec.com/fslabs-flight-simulation-labs-dropping-malware-to-combat-piracy/)
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on February 25, 2018, 11:21:23 AM
FSLabs were also accused of stealing assets from Aerosoft: https://www.reddit.com/r/flightsim/comments/5j0cw2/fslabs_accused_of_stealing_aerosofts_cockpit/
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.
:Wag finger
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Beef on February 28, 2018, 12:28:27 AM
This video is an excellent recap on the FSLabs issue:
https://youtu.be/wKermEZZeL8
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on February 28, 2018, 01:46:15 AM
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 :bullshit
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Skoop on March 16, 2018, 05:08:33 AM
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.
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on March 19, 2018, 12:01:57 AM
AVSIM is still :asskiss 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? :fthat
Thread and link here (https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/533053-flight-sim-labs-a320-vs-flight-factor-a320/?do=findComment&comment=3823419)
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. "
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Beef on March 19, 2018, 01:06:31 AM
AVSIM using the acronym "DRM" to describe the virus that FSLabs included with their product isn't being honest either.
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on March 21, 2018, 08:24:24 PM
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on June 02, 2018, 08:22:12 PM
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". :laughroll
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? :fthat
Post by Reddit admins (https://www.reddit.com/r/flightsim/comments/8nxcl5/an_open_letter_to_flight_sim_labs/)
Emails from Simon the FSL marketing and PR manager (https://i.imgur.com/Xt9iLB1.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/KCujbJB.png)
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Beef on June 11, 2018, 07:08:42 PM
https://youtu.be/Nvyn7Jlet_M
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Skoop on June 11, 2018, 10:28:33 PM
So frustrating to hear this because the FSL airbus is suppose to be the best airbus rendition in a flight sim....then they keep making douche moves like this. I was ready to write them off like Froogle did, then I heard about some of the bitchen new feature coming with the 319, then I heard about more sketchy FSL nonsense. It's like they take one step forward then 3 steps back with negative press.
I was hoping the Aerosoft Airbus would compete with the FSL airbus, but after the amateurish feel I got from the CRJ not sure if the aerosoft airbus will scratch the study level itch for airbus. Which keeps leading me back to the darkside of FSL and their airbus.....que the empire strikes back music.....
Somebody else make a study level airbus that's a decent reputable company so FSL could just go out of business already.
Oh well, back to the hornet and carrier landing practice.
Title: Re: Flight Sim Labs Caught Deliberately Distributing Malware
Post by: Asid on June 11, 2018, 10:39:46 PM
FSL had their website hacked recently.
Aparently the hacker stole passwords and serials. Oh not to mention that when you register with FSL website/forum you have to use your real name.....
FSL did NOT contact people to inform them of the data breach. They have a legal obligation to do this......