Gene Normandin,

Hi, Because of the Falcoware installer, your security may be blocking the installation. Try white-listing the giveaway files or, rebooting in safe mode with networking, install the game, then reboot as normal, or temporarily turn off your security, install then boot up your security.

The game giveawayof the day have never givenaway a game infected with malware since their inception Dec 2006.

sergio rodrigues,

Hi Sergio, I coined the phrase low level adware. In actual fact it isn't adware at all. Malwarebytes definition of Adware is as follows:

What is adware?

Adware is unwanted software designed to throw advertisements up on your screen, most often within a web browser. Some security professionals view it as the forerunner of the modern-day PUP (potentially unwanted program). Typically, it uses an underhanded method to either disguise itself as legitimate, or piggyback on another program to trick you into installing it on your PC, tablet, or mobile device.

An online dictionary definition of adware - software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material such as banners or pop-ups when a user is online.

What we see is a game advertised during the game booting up and when you close the game down your browser is redirected to the game site where the game was donated from. That site has to pay the developers of those games because they are not free games in the real sense, but shareware games that the developer is allowing the game site to give away in exchange for revenue earned when your browser is redirected to the website that gave the game. The adverts on the web site then generate money every time that page is opened. This is then split between the web site and the developer. There is no malicious content installed to anyone's computer from the game giveaways.

To be honest I was wrong to call it low level adware as in truth it isn't.

The browser redirection and the in game adverts are generated from the Falcoware installer, that is included with the game when installed. This is becoming very common with software developers these days, especially since the financial crisis of 2008.

Tony,

Hi Tony, thank you for posting.

The main executable that you get from the zipped file contains the Falacoware installer, which itself contains low level adware that when installed includes software that redirects your browser to Falcoware's site. No malware is installed to your computer that affects the running of your computer. The browser redirection takes you to Falcoware's home page where they will earn a small amount of money every time your browser is opened to that site. It's the same mechanic that operates on all of those free game sites like MyPlayCity, Gametop and others. Part of the money earned is then given to the developer for allowing the games to be given away for free.

The giveaway team have been giving away games since 2006 and have never given away a game infected with malware. They test all of the files that are downloaded via their servers and have had a good reputation with all the major search engines for years.

I tested the zipped file and the unzipped executable via Virus total. Out of 70 engines, three detected something; each one different (Endgame - Malicious, Sangfor engine - Zero Malware and Malwarebytes - Adware. The rest didn't detect anything and these included all of the well known and well respected engines.

I've installed the game and have had my system scan both the executable before installing and the installed game and everything appears as normal.

Personally I trust the game giveaway site, especially bearing in mind their unblemished record over the last 13 years. Plus 3 out of 70 is not significant. We know that the Falcoware installer contains low level adware, which probably accounts for Malwarebytes find. But Falcoware have been around for a long time and have been cleared by other engines as safe.

WR,
I too was getting the PUP warning, but from Avast. This was not related to the setup.exe file from the GGOTD zip file, but as stated by Tony, it was in the game installation file that setup.exe downloads from the Falcoware website. Therefore this is not a file that the Giveaway team has any control over.
Although this game does not come in the Themida wrapper, I still found that I had to deactivate Avast before the program would install.
I think Tony's comment is worth noting.

emperor,

Thank you for your comment. Its due to the Falcoware installer, which includes software that will enable your browser to be redirected to their site so that they can earn advertising revenue which is then split with the developers of the games given away. I tested the files using Virus total Out of 70 engines three detected adware or potentially unwanted program (PUP) note the word potential. The giveaway site would not endorse any site giving games away unless they had tested them for malware and were then satisfied they were safe.

If this method was not available, there would be very few games being given away anywhere.

Ichiiro,

The desktop shortcuts are posted in the hope you will visit their site via those links. Because Falcoware are giving this game away they have to try to earn income (via advertising on the pages you visit); part of which goes to the original developer of the game for them allowing their game to be given away.

The shortcuts are harmless and can be deleted.

Whiterabbit-uk, Oh thank you for the answer which was very quick, I didn't know ^^ I was really scared by these unexpected shortcuts. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Ichiiro,

No Problem and no need to apologise, I'm always happy to help. :)