Platte Media – how did it get on your system?
These questions are only for people who have unexpectedly found Platte Media software on their PCs but have no recollection of deliberately installing it.
Platte Media normally has a clear multi-stage installation process including entering a four digit number of your choice (like a PIN number). Please view a harmless video of the sign-up process on Platte Media’s website.
If you don’t remember seeing a series of well-highlighted steps, then it’s worth spending a few minutes doing some investigation.
If Platte Media is installed on your PC there will be new icons on the desktop. A popup bill demanding £29.99 also appears on the fourth day after installation (e.g. install Monday, popup bill Thursday).
Please copy and paste these questions (adding your answers) into an e-mail. Then send it to me (address top right in sidebar). Thanks.
1. Do you remember which web site(s) you visited that may have resulted in Platte being installed? Please give the web address(es).
2. What were you looking for? (subject – please give exact search words used if you can remember)
3. What search engine (or site) were you using to find this subject? Please give the web address(es). Did this direct you to the web site(s) in question one above? Or did you follow a link from one site found to another site? Again, please give web address(es).
4. Have you run the internet explorer history view (IEHV) program (detailed instructions) and examined the history? Please keep a copy of the history output safely in case it’s needed. IEHV is a simple program that you download and run – a five minute job.
4a. This is a quick alternative to 4. above for Internet Explorer users. Click on the star or type Alt C to bring up the ‘favorites centre’. Select the pull-down ‘history’ to ‘by date’. View the sites which will be in alphabetical order. If this is the first day you are seeing the bill, go back four days (e.g. install Monday, popup bill Thursday). If you right click properties on the sites, you will get the date last visited. Look for sites with porn-sounding names. You may also want to relate the search to item 5 below.
5. What date/time did Platte install? If you right click/properties/general on one of the Platte/getfilmsnow icons on your desktop, you’ll be able to see exactly when (’creation date’) the Platte program was set up on your PC. You can then cross-check this time with the history above. Does it match? Were you using the PC at the time?
6. Having reviewed the history/installation time, is it possible that somebody else installed the Platte software on your PC?
7. Which operating system are you running? (Windows 95/98/XP/Vista) Which version of Internet Explorer? (see help/about IE)
8. Has your system got the latest Microsoft Windows updates?
9. Are you running anti-virus/anti-spyware/firewall software? If so, which programs?
10. Which site does Platte say you are now signed up for (e.g. getfilmsnow.com or movierecall.com)
11. Is the Platte software still installed? (are you seeing popups?)
12. Have you removed the Platte software? If so, how? (Platte will give you uninstall codes on request but they will subsequently chase you for payment. Alternatively, you may have found another means of removing the software manually.)
13. Have you contacted Platte by telephone or e-mail? Have you given them your name and address?
Thank you for this information. It may help explain reports on unexpected installations of Platte Media. On the other hand, you may realise somebody else was responsible for installing Platte Media on your PC.
Finally: Please note that, for legal reasons, I’m unable to give any advice about software removal. You will have to look elsewhere for that.
Back to: MBS – popups for porn, Platte International Ltd/Platte Media – popup bills for films
