Ivo wrote:
Here's what happened.
The download mirror service called FossHub, where Classic Shell stores its downloads, got hacked earlier today. This was intended to coincide with the release of Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which would cause many people to have to download the latest Classic Shell.
The installer got replaced with a malicious software that corrupts your MBR (which is where the PC stores its drive information).
As soon as the hack was reported, I replaced the download links with clean ones. The FossHub page is down, pending investigation.
I understand if you are reluctant to trust Classic Shell again, however a simple test can show you if the download is legitimate - look at the file properties and check for digital certificate. The fake file doesn't have a certificate.
Check out this forum post for possible remedy:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6434#p27967Thank you for the update.
This leaves me in good confidence.
Could you post a ClassicShell verified link as to where I can download it again?
I managed to restore the MBR - but I dare say- I've not had to even worry about MBR issues for 10+ years, and going back nearly 15 years, there was a more common MBR infection, where a virus was placed IN the MBR, nearly impossible to remove.
So, fingers crossed it was JUST the MBR that was wiped.
My FINAL solution was to use an older Windows 7 Emergency Boot CD, where none of the command line tools fixed it?
I finally noticed the top 1 of 6 menu items 'Fix Startup Problems' - and phew - even though it's Windows 10 (as I thought 8 and 10 were major changes with MBR from 7), it did fix it.
I absolutely have loved (still do) Classic Shell.
Microsoft somehow just doesn't get it, who knows, maybe MS will buy CS at some point (and hopefully not can it).
Of course Windows 8 was the worst - standard desktop wasn't default.
Somehow Microsoft seems to want to turn the desktop into the phone, and funny enough, as a MS Phone Developer who observes Microsoft has all but ABANDONED the MS Phone? Of course only after I put some serious intellectual investment into it? even though it only ever had a 2% market share? Makes me a bit puzzled why they want to turn Windows experience into Phone App Store land.
Gone are the days perhaps.
BEOS never made it, either way- I WILL try the NEW Classic Shell for the Anniversary edition.
Lucky me- since I bought the RETAIL version of Windows 8.1? As of July 29th - although I'm upgraded already? If I ever DO have to rebuild ? ONLY OEM can continue to get the Windows 10 upgrade.
So, long story short, had I not repaired the MBR? and lost quite a bit of dev work? I would have had to BUY Windows 10, all because of this pesky group that has nothing better to do than make peoples lives more difficult- The CultOfRazor etc.
Whoever did this, is not welcomed in any emerging global society until they change their ways.
The hack I mean.
So SAD it happened to such a wonderful product, let alone it's users also on the DAY that most people would be saying 'hey - What's this Windows Anniversary update ? WHERE'S MY CLASSIC SHELL? ' - to which they went and downloaded it.
Fingers crossed I don't have an MBR virus lurking, I will have to explore deeper forensics and will certainly update pending what I find if there is more damage than JUST the MBR being wiped.
Again Admin - thank you for the very prompt update.
Do post a link if you can for a 'safe' download, I did read what you said about signatures, but I wouldn't know a real one from a fake one at first glance- and something tells me the culprits who did this probably read the forums and will be adding a fake signature - uh oh- my Explorer /Windows background is flashing as I write this - augh! That normally happens with a silent install going on- I better hit Send before my system crashes.
Tragic though, I do wonder though if it's in the 10,000's or 100,000's of classic shell users who only know - they get a blank screen with that 'spade' bottom left and the blinking cursor wondering, what happened?
All those people who will just re-install- lose all their family photos etc, projects from their work - just sad...