All I wanted to do was add FIOS TV to my already existing Verizon network and phone to get their new bundle price. To do that, they not only installed cable to my TV, but added it to my network as well. Instead of a small router with a simple Ethernet connection, now I have a 9100 with Ethernet AND cable. That is when the trouble began.
My computer went haywire! I experienced significant lag time (literally 15 - 20 sec) after clicking an icon before anything would happen. This happened when clicking "Start" to turn off computer. HUGE delay. Click, click, click - nothing - then three pages would open up. Screen would freeze. Cusor freeze. Severe degradation, like nothing I have ever experienced. This happened 4/1/09 and I thought I had the Confiker Worm! Tracking all my keystrokes. I ran several different virus scans, cleaned up register and files. Nothing helped.
I called tech support. After "taking control" of my computer - he cleaned out my internet caches, tested internet speed, and told me I must have a virus because there was NOTHING that Verizon did that would impact my workstation. All they touched was the router and that could have no impact. The timing of the Verizon install and my computer problems was merely coincidental! What a bunch of baloney. Here is what I discovered.
Verizon installed a file called McciTrayApp.exe that runs at start up, but does not show an icon in the System Tray. When I pulled up Task Manager I discovered huge amounts of memory was being utilized by this file. I removed the file from Start Up via MSConfig and - voila - my workstation returned to normal. I also discovered McciCmService.exe which runs in background constantly using up memory. Googling these file names identified them as potential viruses, depending on where they are located, because they can track your workstation applications. They were distributed by Verizon in concert with Motive Communications, Inc.
Bottom line, the Verizon Online Help & Support program, approx 20 mb in size, is the culprit for all this Motive software. It can be very detrimental to computers and can be found listed in programs in Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. I called tech support to discuss these potentially malicious files and he didn't have a clue. Never heard of mcci files or Motive software. I asked to speak to someone who spoke "computer", but all he would do is text his tech support person for help. His person suggested that I remove the Online Help & Support Program which I did and all is fine. My real problem still remains that this software is being loaded on peoples computers and tech support is not educated about the impact or how to fix it. I was denied access to someone who had some understanding of WHY these files were being used, so the best thing I can do is try to alert other Verizon users who have the same problems.
