ProctorU...hell in a handbasket Part 1

[cypster]

Yesterday I was so angry after these people invaded my computer and started doing things on my machine without my permission. I was about to write a very angry post about the whole ordeal. Now my emotions have progressed to a blend of anger, remorse, bitterness, confusion, frustration, and disappointment. I really don't want to talk about how horrid my experience was with these people yesterday but I am trying to remove a file that they injected on my computer that is now behaving like a virus and I have no idea how to get rid of it. I have prided myself on keeping my computer virus free with safe computer practices for over 10 years.

It is humiliating in a way and angering in another to think that I invited these insipid buffoons into my machine and now cannot find any easy way to remove their secretive applications. I may one day create a post addressing more on Proctor U and all the reasons that unsuspecting testers should avoid them but for now I will simply say, if you want your information including your passwords, your credit card info, your banking information, your personal files and records to remain secure, and if you are dreadfully afraid of having your computer hacked by cyber thugs and thieves I would seriously advise you to stay away from this company. The software they are using leaves files on your computer that can run automatically after you have restarted your computer and that can allow a hacker to remotely access your machine when you least expect it. That said this post is not just a complaint it is a plea for help. There is a file called rahook.dll that was left behind by ProctorU on my computer and this file refuses to be deleted. Interestingly it is the part of their "rescue" application that allows them to log into your computer remotely at will. My preliminary internet searches on this file have not turned up anything good... Everything that I run into is mentioning trojan horse... At any rate, if any of you know how to get rid of this file, please help me.

-signed frustrated!

P.S.
Don't go through Straighterline because of ProctorU they said,
ProctorU is unprofessional and intrusive they said,
ProctorU is an invasion of privacy they said,
ProctorU could mess up your computer they said,
I got a virus from ProctorU they said,
Did I listen?
No.....
Now here I am embarrassedly admitting that they were all right...
If you are like me and must go to straighterline because of the incredibly attractive low costs, just be sure to use an offsite proctoring service. After speaking with Straighterline about this experience I learned that the off site proctoring service is covered and you will not have to pay any additional fees for this.
If I can get past the emotional and technical trauma of all of this I will consider all options moving forward but for now I just want to warn others out there. When others say to avoid Proctor U, there is a very very good reason...

Oh and one more thing... If you ever get an exam monitored with this company, please do not let them fix your "audio issues" or the "major lag" or the "camera issues" that magically occur when they want to start gathering files secretly from your machine. This seems to be the script that they use to distract us into thinking that they are fixing our audio and camera issues. Admittedly this could of course all be coincidental.. but if your representative says "I'll fix it" instead of asking and then if they immediately begin pulling files from your computer, turn off your computer immediately. The issue could either be really crappy software on their part instead of evil intentions but the biggest issue is their failure to communicate in my honest opinion. Before connecting with them do a test call in skype with a friend. If your audio and video is working fine and then suddenly "isn't working" when you connect with Proctor U, this should send a red flag immediately, disconnect the connection immediately and sign up for offsite proctoring and hire a computer security professional to help you to clean up your machine. That might be what I will have to do if I can't get rid of this file.... All of this can also be avoided by using a cheap dedicated computer just for proctored exams... but at this point is the cost justified...?

[Yanji]

First of all, remote access software does not give someone the ability to log into your computer "at will". Second, do you have any evidence of any of your completely unfounded claims, or is this just a defamatory rant? This is a company that offers services to hundreds of colleges, universities and private companies. To suggest that it's a giant phishing scheme requires some hard proof.

[ajs1976]

First of all, remote access software does not give someone the ability to log into your computer "at will".

Actually, there are versions of remote access software that will let people do that.

[mednat]

I'm not sure what you went through, but it's obvious you are very frustrated -- I will assume with good cause. With that being said, I have had nothing but positive experiences with Proctor-u (other than the to be expected scheduling issues).

Now that that is out of the way. What message are you receiving when you try to remove rahook.dll? I can understand why you want to get rid of this, given your negative interaction with proctor-u, but I believe this file does not pose a significant risk to your PC. Regardless of your thoughts on Proctor-u, logmein is a legitimate company that would take no part in the deception you suspect.

[Yanji]

Actually, there are versions of remote access software that will let people do that.

Not the help desk/remote assistance software ProctorU uses.

[sanantone]

I didn't have these issues when I took a TECEP a couple of weeks ago.

[tyc9283]

I've used proctoru 14 times in the past 6 weeks and haven't had any problems.

[UptonSinclair]

Just out of curiosity, did you uninstall logmein using the windows uninstall utility? Rahook.dll is part of the logmein program. It is very likely the sites you are looking at online that claim this is a trojan are trying to sell you software to fix a problem that is non-existent. Just uninstall the program and if for some reason rahook.dll is still there, boot your system into safe mode and you should be able to delete it.

[cypster]

I'm not sure what you went through, but it's obvious you are very frustrated -- I will assume with good cause. With that being said, I have had nothing but positive experiences with Proctor-u (other than the to be expected scheduling issues).

Now that that is out of the way. What message are you receiving when you try to remove rahook.dll? I can understand why you want to get rid of this, given your negative interaction with proctor-u, but I believe this file does not pose a significant risk to your PC. Regardless of your thoughts on Proctor-u, logmein is a legitimate company that would take no part in the deception you suspect.

Thanks Mednat the process is reporting that it is in use when I attempt to delete the file. For some reason it was not appearing in the Windows Control Panel list of installed applications on the computer. I had to manually delete the files from my user app folder. Most of the files have been deleted except for the rahook.dll file. For clarification to yourself and other reasonable respondents to my post who are actually trying to help and not argue with everyone's thoughts, This was my second day with Proctur U. The first day there were neglects in communication but on this particular day the behavior of the representative was absolutely deplorable. I have left out most of the details for the moment so I can first focus on getting rid of this file from my computer. So anyone who can help with this is greatly appreciated.

[cypster]

Not the help desk/remote assistance software ProctorU uses.

Yanji I will try to be nice although you have chosen to begin a flame war with individuals in this thread already... If you have nothing helpful to share to alleviate frustration or help with rahook.dll please back away from this thread. I will not hesistate to contact an administrator if you do not desist correcting everyone but yourself in this thread. So please stop and thank you.