Is software from NCH Software safe? [closed]

I just downloaded Fling from them (an automatic ftp uploader) having been looking for a good app to do this for a long time. It just seems to good to be true to finally stumble across what looks to be a good piece of software.

Here's their site: http://www.nchsoftware.com/

And more specifically: http://www.nchsoftware.com/fling/index.html

So it looked to good to be true so I googled it and found that a few people had had their anti-virus inform them that Fling is a trojan! I have since read that this was a false positive and it's been fixed. Anyway, I'm feeling a little paranoid about it now.

Identified as a trojan: http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php?s=6508a10c18a04edc4d3a34d248eb8967&showtopic=95546

What do you think? Have you used NCH before? Are they okay? Is it legit?

Solution 1:

NCH has some very useful software, but I'm never using them again. 18 months ago, I put their sound editor on my computer and it ruined Audacity so it wouldn't run unless I opened an existing Audacity project. They install all kinds of little hooks into other software. Beware NCH. As others have said, it's very difficult to impossible to remove NCH software. It's a shame.

Solution 2:

I have removed the NCH programs in the following manner, on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit:

Using Windows Explorer (located on your task bar at the bottom of you screen) navigate to Program Files (86)/NCH SOFTWARE.
Right click on the subdirectory NCH SOFTWARE. When the window opens with the function list then left click on “rename” in the list. Rename the sub directory NCH SOFTWARE to ###.NCH SOFTWARE where ### is something that you can remember very easy or put it on note paper. Press “ENTER”.
Double click the new name and you will display a series of subdirectories. Explore each one and use the “UNISTALL” programs as you find them. There isn’t an uninstall program in every subdirectory but you must use all of them.
Close Windows Explorer.

In the next steps it is very important that you make no changes to the registry other than the one I am going to tell you about.

Click on the Windows emblem in the lower left corner of you task bar. In the “Search Programs and Files windows type cmd.
The top of the search windows will have a section labeled “PROGRAMS” click on the program titled “CMD”.
In the black window that opens type regedit.
In the Regedit window on the left side is the display of the registry. Highlight “computer”.
In the regeditor window in the upper command bar click on “edit” in the drop down window select “find”.
Enter “NCH” in the find window and click find next.
The regeditor will stop at the first instance of “NCH”. When regedit finds NCH there should be a yellow square just to the left of the NCH.
Right click on “NCH” in the drop down window select “RENAME” change the name to “###NCH###” where ### is something easy for you to remember or put it on note paper. Press Enter.
Use the “F3” to fined next and continue until the find box displays the massage “Finished searching through the registry”.
Now reboot.

After the reboot check your program list and it should be clear of all NCH software.

If you are sure all of the programs are disabled then you can delete the sub directory ###NCH SOFTWARE in Program Files (86).

PS: NCH is not “legit”.

Any company that causes a program to be installed on your computer without your permission is not “legit”.

Any company that designs their program so it is hidden from the Control Panel for removing programs and hides there “UNINSTALL” programs in the directory tree and then charges to tell you where it is, is defiantly not “legit”

Solution 3:

I have used express invoice for a year now, and it was great until developed a bug. I was on the internet for days trying to figure out this bug, that I discovered other users also encountered. No solution was working including an upgraded download. I would have bought the paid version but was wary considering their support policy.

Try contacting this company for anything..they make it very very difficult. There is actually no way to contact the company unless you purchase support. First two levels of support cost 40 and 57 dollars US and only entitle you to a very limited amount of emails from support...and they will only spend 10 minutes on each email. I chose the platinum support, 9 -10 minute emails and two 15 minute phone calls only from 9 to five for 63 bucks US, I must use them all over a three month period or I lose what I have bought and the cheaper support pkgs. Are even shorter in terms of access.

So far, I have paid and they are already past the 24 hour turnaround time promised for a response. They also make you agree to no refund even if they do not fix your problem. Buy at your own risk, this company has blatantly decided to make support a frustrating endeavor for their users.

Solution 4:

Malware. It installs itself everywhere, then prevents you from uninstalling it. Basically this is a trojan. It took me almost an hour of hard work to get rid of it and I am a senior Windows professional. Most of the virus scanners don't react because this actually has some sound editing properties. Anyway, this company should be sued by everyone fooled to install this invasive and abusive piece of software.

Solution 5:

I installed their Prism Converter: it hijacked the file association to -ZIP which downloaded their own NCH unzipper. This is trojan practices.