Real Player/Real Media is EVIL

[Rex_Goodheart]

It infiltrates your system in insidious, unknown, difficult-to-correct ways.

If you're ever presented a video choice on a news item, stay away from the "Real" option.

Right now I have something on my machine called tkbell.exe that is, in actuality, a Trojan, authored without shame by Real Networks, and for which I've been unable to find a simple fix.

[GirlinContempt]

1. While I don't like real,

it's bloated and there are way too many ads, I don't think they're THAT evil.

How do you know they gave you this trojan, and if you can identify it why can't you remove it?

On edit:
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/tkbell/
http://www.auditmypc.com/process/tkbell.asp
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/tkbell.exe-5771.html

So, it isn't a trojan. And there are simple instructions to remove it. *sigh*

[meegbear]

2. Have you tried doing a google search on tkbell.exe?

Boy I sure did, and I seem to finding information on it that seems different than what you're saying.

[democrat_patriot]

3. Mcafee blocks RealPlayer as adware/spyware.

That should tell you something.

[ghostsofgiants]

4. tkbell - tkbell.exe - Process Information

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/tkbell/

Process File: tkbell or tkbell.exe
Process Name: Tkbell

Description:
tkbell.exe is a process that belong to the RealOne Player from Real Networks. It provides the schedule functionality for the multimedia application.
For More Information About tkbell.exe - Get WinTasks 5 Pro Now!

Recommendation for tkbell.exe:
Not a critical component, but see the information above before disabling it.
To get control over your running programs we suggest WinTasks 5 Pro

Author: Real Networks
Part Of: RealOne Player

Remove tkbell.exe: Use WinTasks

Security Risk (0-5): 0
Spyware: No
Virus: No
Trojan: No

[ContraBass Black]

5. I throttle it with my firewall and kill its processes at startup.

That way, I can turn it on off when I want it.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

6. I use "Real Alternative"

which uses Media Player Classic to play "Real" media.

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm

[Rex_Goodheart]

7. Whoa... interesting...

Thanks.

[tridim]

8. The market has pretty much rejected Real

Which is just fine by me. I hated it, even when using the spam free "real alternative".

[Beelzebud]

9. Look for the Stand-Alone version on their website.

It has none of the bloat, but they tend to hide the download link pretty good.

You have to look for Real Player Stand Alone.

[wtmusic]

10. How do you know tkbell.exe comes from Real? nt

[kentuck]

11. Real Audio is better for dial-up..

Because their technology permits sound to be buffered in a smaller space and downloads quicker than Windows or most others. However, it can leave a wide track on your computer..

[depakid]

12. Real player tries to backchannel 10-20 times a day

My firewall blocks it. I'd prefer not have the thing, but certain multi-media sites use it exclusively.

<on edit- it looks like there's an alternative. Gonna try it out!>