New MalwareFox (anti-malware) from Wolf-Of-WebStreet

[Parsh]

I happened to come across a new Security software called the MalwareFox.
It has been promoted in many answers and comments at Quora by a few folks.
Here's what the product looks like:

Spoiler: Product

And what their claims are:

Spoiler: Features list

Absolutely! A clone of Zemana Antimalware having the same components and design.
The differences and notable points being

1. Made to appear unique, providing a digital signature 'Wolf of Webstreet OPC Private Limited' TM
2. F-secure Deepguard blocked it (aka-suspicious) just like it had blocked Zemana
3. I tried installing MF on my Win 8.1, and it said "a newer version is already installed.." (you know WHO!)
4. Same no of trial days as dear Zemana gives
5. These guys have recently added, or can I say, copied some famous Ransomware decryptors to their site to add some honor and credibility

The website reviews are not less fun.
It reminds me of the promotion of Protegent antivirus just based on the fact that it provided backup features.
How unfortunate of me, I didn't get to test this new piece of software.
Could someone give it a try?

 

[roger_m]

Could someone give it a try?

I've used it before, and it is just a rebrand of Zemana.

 

[Parsh]

I've used it before, and it is just a rebrand of Zemana.

I wonder about the risk have they undertaken.
Though it looks like a cunningly intelligent business method and they've got it signed (that's always costly but helpful), they are bound to suffer if their product gets challenged in a hard way.

I've seen such cloning earlier too, and in some cases, the original company doesn't care much until the clone product reaches some level of fame and appears as a threat. The latter is bound to doom otherwise. Promotion of the clone by the dummy is mainly viewed as elevating the image of the original brand and product to an extent, hence the original co. doesn't interfere at surface level.

Btw, any notable difference or it's the same Pandora baby?

 

[roger_m]

Btw, any notable difference or it's the same Pandora baby?

I believe it's exactly the same as Zemana, just with different branding.

 

[Wave]

I'm creasing out loud really hard right now

 

[Aura]

They are linking decrypters from Emsisoft and BleepingComputer. I'll drop a PM to Grinler and Fabian to see if they are aware of it.

 

[Wave]

They are linking decrypters from Emsisoft and BleepingComputer. I'll drop a PM to Grinler and Fabian to see if they are aware of it.

They re-branded Zemana for a reason... They aren't capable.

And good idea btw

 

[Parsh]

They are linking decrypters from Emsisoft and BleepingComputer. I'll drop a PM to Grinler and Fabian to see if they are aware of it.

Yes, and they've included links to decryptors from Kaspersky too. Linking them shouldn't be an issue since the links are redirecting the user to the respective websites first.
The product itself is the real hijack I believe.

 

[Aura]

The way they present that page is the thing I have a problem with. It's almost as if they were claiming the decrypters are their, and that using their product would protect the user against them so.

 

[Parsh]

Well well, found another aspirant. It's a bit old though (2015): Watchdog Online Security

We have years of specialized experience in removing sophisticated threats that have silently embedded themselves on systems that were deemed safe. With millions of users globally, it's the Watchdog product family that includes content filtering and security solutions for computers and network devices, including home routers.

With the same set of features, same UI and it has mentions of Pandora technology.
There's also no mention of Zemana on their site, though the packaging of the app and the context details shout Zemana! It also accepts my ZAM license key, indicating that they do not have their own model.

 

[roger_m]

Yes, it's just another rebrand of Zemana.

 

[212eta]

Just another Zemana Clone...

 

[Andytay70]

Wasnt there another clone of zemana called watchdog antimalware or something?

 

[Parsh]

Wasnt there another clone of zemana called watchdog antimalware or something?

They have it on their site. The differences according to the two's descriptions are that "Online Security Pro" version has additions like: Keystroke logging protection, Intrusion protection, Ransomware protection. This is enough already :|

 

[insanity]

Does Zemana license their software to be used by these companies or are they simply copycats?

 

[Parsh]

Does Zemana license their software to be used by these companies or are they simply copycats?

You can find a partial answer to this in post #3.
I do not think these have a license from Zemana in anyway. There are no official mentions by either of them, the (apparently) clones exaggerate their presence by stating that they've been experts in researching malware and system protection and the fact that Zemana's licenses directly work in these indicate either bad revenue modelling or just crap, copycat-ing!
They have not even replaced the word 'Zemana' at places like the Explorer context menu entry. They've made unprofessional editing of strings at different places in the UI and clubbed their digital signatures for some credibility. Who knows, they might not even have the infra or the skills to modify the licensing system and period. Or doing that could break their app connectivity due to verification process.

A question remains that how or why does Zemana cloud allow requests from modified clients (in case they validate). Again, what if Zemana is indirectly benefiting by all this by name (they won't be ignorant all these years, would they be)?

 

[PEllis]

Watchdog still offer lifetime licenses, whereas Zemana doesn't. Just bought one.