CCleaner Hacked (again)

csun · Oct 30, 2023

The incredibly popular maintenance and optimization tool for Windows, CCleaner, recently confirmed a data breach that exposed loads of user data on its paid customers. The breach was reportedly caused by the MOVEit hack back in May.

CCleaner Got Hacked, Exposing Emails, Addresses, and More

BunnyJ · Oct 30, 2023

Thanks for the information

Ghot · Oct 30, 2023

I've posted it a few times on here and on TenForums. I highly recommend you don't use any CCleaner past version 5.78.

This is where I download the older version...

Download CCleaner 5.78.8558 - Download - Filepuma.com

CCleaner, CCleaner A powerful PC cleaning tool for optimizing system performance.

www.filepuma.com

I also block these in my Bitdefender firewall...

And I add these lines to my HOSTS file... C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\HOSTS

0.0.0.0 ncc.avast.com
0.0.0.0 ncc.avast.com.edgesuite.net
0.0.0.0 license.piriform.com
0.0.0.0 ipm-provider.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 shepherd.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 ip-info.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 analytics.ff.avast.com

I use these settings...

Josey Wales · Oct 30, 2023

I thought that this was confirmed as a hoax??

antspants · Oct 30, 2023

Ghot said:
I've posted it a few times on here and on TenForums. I highly recommend you don't use any CCleaner past version 5.78.

A link to your post explaining why? I’m interested.

Ghot · Oct 30, 2023

antspants said:
A link to your post explaining why? I’m interested.

Avast got a bit out-of-hand after 5.78

antspants · Oct 30, 2023

Ghot said:
Avast got a bit out-of-hand after 5.78

Invasive?

Ghot · Oct 30, 2023

antspants said:
Invasive?

Kind of. After 5.78 CCLeaner calls home continually.
Plus they added a bunch of useless stuff.

antspants · Oct 30, 2023

Ghot said:
Kind of. After 5.78 CCLeaner calls home continually.
Plus they added a bunch of useless stuff.

I’ve had Avast in my host file for years.

Josey Wales · Oct 30, 2023

antspants said:
I’ve had Avast in my host file for years.

Me too.

antspants · Oct 30, 2023

antspants said:
I’ve had Avast in my host file for years.

Josey Wales said:
Me too.

I can’t find or remember the whole article I read, but it was rather detailed and convincing. The basic gist was “Avast is listening” and that was enough.

ish4d0w · Nov 1, 2023

Ghot said:
Kind of. After 5.78 CCLeaner calls home continually.
Plus they added a bunch of useless stuff.

It is a shame that they cannot keep their servers secure seemingly. But the home-calling code is unpleasant as well.
I suppose the case is similar for other Piriform software such as Defraggler and Recuva, both of which are great and essential apps. Do you guys happen to know which old version is the good one, the one without home-calling code? Thanks!

Dwarfr66 · Nov 1, 2023

ish4d0w said:
It is a shame that they cannot keep their servers secure seemingly. But the home-calling code is unpleasant as well.
I suppose the case is similar for other Piriform software such as Defraggler and Recuva, both of which are great and essential apps. Do you guys happen to know which old version is the good one, the one without home-calling code? Thanks!

3rd post has the link!

ish4d0w · Nov 1, 2023

Dwarfr66 said:
3rd post has the link!

I'm afraid I can't find it, it only has the link for CCleaner, but I'm looking for Defraggler and Recuva, which are other products of the same company and might also be affected.

flashh4 · Nov 1, 2023

@ish4d0w ............ hope this helps !

Download Old Versions of Recuva for Windows - OldVersion.com

jimbo45 · Nov 2, 2023

Slightly O.T here but there seems to be an increasing number of applications breaking away from their generally great and simple functionality to become infested with that well known sickness called "feature-itus". Many now "add features" that one rarely uses or doesn't want at all ruining the inherent simplicity of the application - and often becoming "pay or subscription" models too .

Reminds me in that great movie Amadeus when Salieri -- the established Court composer was complaining about the Young Mozart who was threatening his position by complaining that a piece written by Mozart "had too many notes in it". Salieri's stuff was the poor material while Mozart's music has stood the test of time -- nobody has "improved it" .

If an app works well, is simple to use, is reasonably defect free - then leave it (apart from fixing defects). "If it ain't Broke -- don't fix it".

Cheers
jimbo