ATDMT and windows apps.

Every time I open either Windows Live mail or IE7 (even with no page open) the atdmt cookie is written to my cookies folder detected by AVG and I relegate it to the virus vault. but is there any way to stop this file (tracking cookie) being written to the computer in the first place.
I already have atdmt.com blocked in the privacy settings of IE7 but this does not stop it.

any Ideas.

Geoff.

Is their any app or BHO(hidden IE plugin) installed that could be re-adding the cookie?

If your not sure run this app: http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/securi...

It will list stuff that starts with windows + any BHO's and other browser plugins. It may give a clue as to what could be causing the cookie to return.

I've now narrowed this down a bit more and the problem seems to concern the Windows Live sign in helper. disabling this add-on in IE7 stops the cookie being written from the browser on start-up. However windows live mail starting up still writes the cookie.

It's almost certainly dumped on your system by WL although IE8 is supposedly another common culprit.
Try adding atdmt.net, com etc to your HOSTS file.

Edited by Deadbeat (Sun 12-Jul-09 19:10:33)

Windows live sign in helper (assistant) is definitely responsible for the cookie.
What happens is the first time you sign in to windows Live using the sign in helper it writes the cookie and also puts 2 entries into the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\UserExtendedProperties\[email protected]
and:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-4234794394-2194508213-234476443-1006\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\UserExtendedProperties\[email protected]
(on my computer anyway)

Then when Live mail or IE7 (with the live sign in helper add-on enabled) is started the cookies are written from the registry and the registry values are updated on-line.

I suppose it's quite a neat way for Microsoft to avoid the privacy options it puts in its browsers But I find it quite unethical.

It's highly unethical! ATDMT is Atlas, which is in turn, MS's advertising arm. There is an optout here but it should not be necessary!
IE8 users who use the ridiculously named "Bing" also seem to be reporting the same thing.

Edited by Deadbeat (Mon 13-Jul-09 19:07:31)

Thanks for the link.

Guess what it tells me I don't have an atlas cookie on my computer, surprising as I'm looking at it as I type.
So it looks like blocking ATDMT.com prevents the opt out from working but not them putting the cookies there in the first place.

Why am I not in the least bit supprised?

I did wonder.
YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED!

He now belongs.

Ah well despite the comments I'm still here and atdmt free !
No Windows Live Mail client - no adware.
I'm now using Thunderbird 2 as a mail client with the webmail extension to get my Hotmail and I used ImportExport tools to transfer my old messages.

Works a treat at the moment. but I'm sure microsoft will find some way to mess it up.