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Forums > Home› Star Trek Online General Discussion

Is Arc safe yet?

wardcaliswardcalis Member Posts: 1,137 Arc User
edited April 2015 in Star Trek Online General Discussion
I always hated programs like Arc and I currently use the classic launcher but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds. I remember when ARC first came out it was laced with all kinds of really nasty things like Pando Media Booster and had a built in spyware mechanic to steal personal information and sell to 3rd party companies.

Has it gotten any better and/or safer?
Post edited by wardcalis on

Comments

  • equinox976equinox976 Member Posts: 2,305 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    wardcalis wrote: »
    I always hated programs like Arc and I currently use the classic launcher but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds. I remember when ARC first came out it was laced with all kinds of really nasty things like Pando Media Booster and had a built in spyware mechanic to steal personal information and sell to 3rd party companies.

    Has it gotten any better and/or safer?

    I just use Steam. Never touched Arc.

    On a side note: I don't believe Arc was ever 'laced' with anything - many people have used it and never had a problem. Personally I have just never needed to use it.
  • duncanidaho11duncanidaho11 Member Posts: 7,980 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    I've recently installed arc, no issues.
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  • lianthelialianthelia Member Posts: 7,897 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    Umm...I don't think Arc had Pando on it...I remember the name and I had gotten Pando in the past and I think it was from the STO launcher or some other game...since I axed it long ago I haven't seen it since I got arc.
    Can't have a honest conversation because of a white knight with power
  • UnknownUnknown
    edited April 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • equinox976equinox976 Member Posts: 2,305 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    wardcalis wrote: »
    It definitely had Pando Media Booster, I tried it very briefly when Arc first came and I had to uninstall that 3 times because every time it patched it would redownload and install it. it is one of the reasons I got rid of Arc

    http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?p=15427581
  • vyconis81vyconis81 Member Posts: 42 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    I just use a very strong firewall and block any suspicious programs from even communicating with Internet Protocols.
  • equinox976equinox976 Member Posts: 2,305 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    vyconis81 wrote: »
    I just use a very strong firewall and block any suspicious programs from even communicating with Internet Protocols.

    My wife calls that a 'headache'.
  • generalmocogeneralmoco Member Posts: 1,634
    edited April 2015
    I can confirm.

    ARC is safe. I use it and have not come across any issues...

    Pando Media Booster is not related to ARC what so ever. PMB used to be needed for an actual game from PWE,not STO tho, but after it was dropped and later TRIBBLE, it was completely dropped from the games...

    However I only use ARC for PWE games. Neverwinter, STO, Blacklight etc. And use Steam for my other games.

    Has it gotten better/safer?

    It had always been, people just don't like change tho, that's why it was bashed.
  • chalpenchalpen Member Posts: 2,207 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    Don't leave it open. As soon as the patch window opens, remove arc from memory in task manager.
    It has more development time than all their mmo's yet is more poorly engineered than neverwinter
    Should I start posting again after all this time?
  • lianthelialianthelia Member Posts: 7,897 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    Well I guess the verdict is in...:D
    Can't have a honest conversation because of a white knight with power
  • aesicaaesica Member Posts: 736 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    wardcalis wrote: »
    but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds.
    Assuming you mean Forsaken World, don't waste your time. Former FW player here. It's one of the worst examples of F2P gaming I've come across: Terrible and buggy engine, shoddy game balance and design, loads of cash required to excel without a reasonable "free" route, and (last I checked) a rather small population. I give it 5 more years at best before that carnival game packs up its tents and disappears.
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  • stelakkhstelakkh Member Posts: 185 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    aesica wrote: »
    Assuming you mean Forsaken World, don't waste your time. Former FW player here. It's one of the worst examples of F2P gaming I've come across: Terrible and buggy engine, shoddy game balance and design, loads of cash required to excel without a reasonable "free" route, and (last I checked) a rather small population. I give it 5 more years at best before that carnival game packs up its tents and disappears.

    Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
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  • aesicaaesica Member Posts: 736 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    stelakkh wrote: »
    Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
    Because contrary to what people say, this game is very reasonable. Yes, it has bugs, but spend maybe a week or so playing Forsaken World and I'm sure you'll come running back here in no time.
    Rubberband Dance has been unlocked!
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  • dgdolphdgdolph Member Posts: 592 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    stelakkh wrote: »
    Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL

    There's one thing my time spend in STO taught me: never ever touch another cryptic/PWE game. :D

    Regarding ARC - I'm never going to trust it. Also, I still do not want nor need it. I don't want to play any other games available on arc + I still can run STO via steam or launcher.
  • eldarion79eldarion79 Member Posts: 1,679 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    I've had Arc since the beginning and I've had no problems with it.
  • lindalefflindaleff Member Posts: 3,734 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    The reason ARC is so hated is because Cryptic was trying to make it mandatory. The simple fact of having ARC is not the problem. The problem is when you NEED to have it, just to make STO work.
    I completed a 2-man CSE, ISE, and KASE, Optionals included. And I soloed Winter Invasion.
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  • rattler2rattler2 Member, Star Trek Online Moderator Posts: 58,672 Community Moderator
    edited April 2015
    As far as I know, STO, Neverwinter, and Champions Online are available via Steam as well, so with those three there is an alternative. Same with that newly acquired game on ARC... Star Conflict.
    db80k0m-89201ed8-eadb-45d3-830f-bb2f0d4c0fe7.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExOGQ4ZWM2LTUyZjQtNDdiMS05YTI1LTVlYmZkYmJkOGM3N1wvZGI4MGswbS04OTIwMWVkOC1lYWRiLTQ1ZDMtODMwZi1iYjJmMGQ0YzBmZTcucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.8G-Pg35Qi8qxiKLjAofaKRH6fmNH3qAAEI628gW0eXc
    Yang Xiao Long wrote:
    I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
    The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
    normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
    colored text = mod mode
  • admiraltrappittadmiraltrappitt Member Posts: 444 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    rattler2 wrote: »
    As far as I know, STO, Neverwinter, and Champions Online are available via Steam as well, so with those three there is an alternative. Same with that newly acquired game on ARC... Star Conflict.

    Wait, Star Conflict is PWE? I thought it was made by the same people as War Thunder?
    Anyway, I can't recommend that game. Next to nobody playing, and the controls are unfathomable.
    Proad admin of the Star Trek Battles channel. Join today!

    I actually like Delta Rising.
  • rattler2rattler2 Member, Star Trek Online Moderator Posts: 58,672 Community Moderator
    edited April 2015
    Its about as PWE as STO is. Not created by them, but now under their umbrella.
    db80k0m-89201ed8-eadb-45d3-830f-bb2f0d4c0fe7.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExOGQ4ZWM2LTUyZjQtNDdiMS05YTI1LTVlYmZkYmJkOGM3N1wvZGI4MGswbS04OTIwMWVkOC1lYWRiLTQ1ZDMtODMwZi1iYjJmMGQ0YzBmZTcucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.8G-Pg35Qi8qxiKLjAofaKRH6fmNH3qAAEI628gW0eXc
    Yang Xiao Long wrote:
    I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
    The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
    normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
    colored text = mod mode
  • admiraltrappittadmiraltrappitt Member Posts: 444 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    rattler2 wrote: »
    Its about as PWE as STO is. Not created by them, but now under their umbrella.

    I see, so published by PWE, but developed by someone else. Wonder if it is still done by Gaijin or not.
    Proad admin of the Star Trek Battles channel. Join today!

    I actually like Delta Rising.
  • svindal777svindal777 Member Posts: 856 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    I installed ARC, then the very next day I broke my finger. Thanks ARC, you evil program.
    Well excuse me for having enormous flaws that I don't work on.
  • rattler2rattler2 Member, Star Trek Online Moderator Posts: 58,672 Community Moderator
    edited April 2015
    admiraltrappitt wrote: »
    I see, so published by PWE, but developed by someone else. Wonder if it is still done by Gaijin or not.

    I would assume so. STO, Neverwinter, and Champions are still being done by Cryptic after all.
    db80k0m-89201ed8-eadb-45d3-830f-bb2f0d4c0fe7.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2ExOGQ4ZWM2LTUyZjQtNDdiMS05YTI1LTVlYmZkYmJkOGM3N1wvZGI4MGswbS04OTIwMWVkOC1lYWRiLTQ1ZDMtODMwZi1iYjJmMGQ0YzBmZTcucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.8G-Pg35Qi8qxiKLjAofaKRH6fmNH3qAAEI628gW0eXc
    Yang Xiao Long wrote:
    I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
    The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
    normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
    colored text = mod mode
  • jorantomalakjorantomalak Member Posts: 7,133 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    OP i had ARC and it made my laptop lag like crazy so i removed it and went to steam

    On steam i have both STO and Neverwinter....yes you CAN get neverwinter VIA steam that said as far as forsaken world? stay away from that all ive ever heard are bad things about that game.
  • arliekkosarliekkos Member Posts: 214 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    It gave me space herpes.
  • corelogikcorelogik Member Posts: 1,039 Arc User
    edited April 2015
    I have Arc, no issues. In fact, it's the only way I can buy Zen directly anymore. Haven't been able to log into the website to buy for over a month. Keep getting lost in an email verification loop that never ends.

    All that said, never once have I had an issue with Arc, except when I forget to close it, or anything it has or hasn't installed. I am unaware of any third party add-ons that get installed with it. I have seen none, and I check for unknown/stealth installed stuff semi-regularly.
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    "There... are... four... lights!" ~Jean Luc Picard
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