PNCS Posted January 21, 2018 ID:1202104 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Dear Malwarebytes community, I'm helping a client that made a purchase a few years ago of an alleged lifetime subscription to 3 anti-malware products for a total of $2,000. The company name is ShieldApps and they offer numerous anti-malware products. I'm trying to determine if this is a legitimate company with legitimate software. I'm suspicious of this company for a number of reasons: 1. I've been working in the computer software and technology field for 25 years, and I've never heard of this company 2. My trusted, tech-savvy colleague of 20+ years has not heard of them 3. There is no mention of this company and their products in anti-malware software reviews by PC Magazine or Consumer Reports 4. There are poor reviews of their product named "PC Privacy Shield" on Amazon 5. Although the company claims to be based in Israel, the $2,000 payment that my client made a few years ago was shown to be converted to Chinese currency in the receipt I'm interested in this community's opinion or personal experience with ShieldApps and/or its products. Thank you, Paul Neralich Computer Services LLC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted January 21, 2018 ID:1202119 Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) I haven't heard of them either. There are questions that need to be asked. Who is the web site registered to and is that information transparent or obfuscated ? Do they write their own anti malware Engines and Signatures or are they using an OEM provider ? Does the web site provide direct support ? Does the web site provide who they are, where they are located and a sales and/or support phone number ? Do they provide specifics on malware they target ? The below is based upon simple searches, not an exhausted search or investigation. Other than finding the site was created in 2011 and used GoDaddy for registration and the services of Bluehost and Google, a simple search did not reveal the owner of the site. I could not find if they author their anti malware or if it is an OEM I did not find direct support. Just a lot of FAQs. To get support, you have to use a web form. Their contact page does not provide who they are, where they are located nor any telephone numbers. Only a web form for queries. There is no transparency and there are too many Red Flags. I also found a substantial Red Flag that I won't mention in public so I sent that information to the OP via a PM. Edited January 21, 2018 by David H. Lipman Updated information Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidlmo Posted January 21, 2018 ID:1202148 Share Posted January 21, 2018 25 + years on the Net including Abuse, SpamFighter, security, privacy etc. Never hear of them either. The points by David are important. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGematix Posted February 2, 2018 ID:1212036 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Guys, I have been working (reselling) with the ShieldApps software products for 3 years now. They are as legit as it gets, and have (by far) the most reliable service you can ask for from a security vendor. Surely they are less known brand, but their AV and other products are top notch. As far as I know, its Israeli security veterans that have migrated the business to the US, but they work worldwide. I have done an extensive research before I started working with them, as the rates (for resellers) were very attractive, and I found nothing to suggest they are not to be trusted, or at least tested. 3 years in at this point, zero complaints. J.G. (#PNCS) - they dont sell lifetime licenses to consumers, so i am going to assume you have ordered this from some reseller, either legit or not... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted February 3, 2018 ID:1212043 Share Posted February 3, 2018 They conduct themselves through the use of fraud and can NOT be trusted. On 1/21/2018 at 10:49 AM, PNCS said: 5. Although the company claims to be based in Israel, the $2,000 payment that my client made a few years ago was shown to be converted to Chinese currency in the receipt For all we know it is an application made to spy for the PLA. https://shieldapps.com/about-shieldapps-software-innovations/contact/ Quote ShieldApps Software Innovations. 1800 East Garry Ave. Santa Ana, CA What suite number are they in or can I get AirBrush tanning at that office too ? ShieldApps is the name of the software. What's the name of the company ? Who's the parent company ? If they are in Santa Anna California, what is their State Tax ID ? If they are reputable, why do I have to ask these questions ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGematix Posted February 3, 2018 ID:1212044 Share Posted February 3, 2018 how would they know if a chinese reseller sold your customer a license for whatever $ amount? ShieldApps is the brand, not the product name. their products are clearly listed on their site, as well as MSRP etc'. (and - do you advertise your state tax ID on your site? ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted February 3, 2018 ID:1212049 Share Posted February 3, 2018 I can think of a dozen companies that have real office space where their software is vetted by 3rd parties, are registered with their governments Tax Authorities and thus we know WHO that company is, who is on the board and who is their leader. Reputable businesses have multiple points of vetting because the are above board and don't hide behind shell companies and mult-national transactions through 3rd party countries to obfuscate who they are. Again... What suite number are they in at 1800 East Garry Ave. Santa Ana, CA or can I get AirBrush tanning at that office too ? As I have also stated, they conduct themselves through the use of fraud and they can NOT be trusted. I have provided those facts to the OP and literally, opened his eyes. 23 minutes ago, JohnGematix said: (and - do you advertise your state tax ID on your site? ) No, but I found Malwarebytes' in seconds; C3640201 and C3261249 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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