Makeblock x-y plotter, control software - security warning

lesgros · April 1, 2016, 3:51pm

The following, is a posting I made on the Makeblock forum last week, so far without a reply there.

Hopefully, some one here can help.

original text:

When attempting to load Benbox 3.7.99, obtained from Dropbox; I receive a Trojan warning from my internet security package. Other users have reported similar warnings which were dismissed as “False positive”. This is unsatisfactory.

I posted this message on the Laser engraver gcode topic some days ago: so far there has not been a response, so I repeat the enquiry here.

I am very concerned by this suspected vulnerability when attempting to install Benbox 3.7.99;Norton Traps and reports a Trojan. You state that it is a false positive.

The problem here is one of trust

Discussions with your partner Benbox, makes sense, but would it not make more sense for both Benbox and you to engage with McAfee; Norton; Windows defender ? It appears that this aspect of the coding introduces a hidden vulnerability to a user’s PC. It is not enough to just state it is a false positive.

Why should we trust Albert, rather than our long standing trusted security defender?

Les G

My planned purchase of Makeblock x-y Plotter and Laser upgrade, is on hold pending a satisfactory resolution of this uncertainty.

dialfonzo · April 4, 2016, 2:00pm

Hi lesgros,

We will point out that you didn’t got any reply and will ask MakeBlock to to take the time to answer.

All the best,

dialfonzo · April 5, 2016, 3:47pm

We were CC’d on an internal message at MakeBlock and they are looking at your issue.
Once we know more, we will let you know.

lesgros · April 5, 2016, 4:05pm

Eric,
Thank you for your intervention.
Les G

dialfonzo · April 6, 2016, 12:05pm

Do you have a direct link to your forum posts on MakeBlock ?

lesgros · April 6, 2016, 1:00pm

I am not surprised you might have had difficulty; very recent posts are not too difficult to find, but even I had a bit of hassle to locate my own posts.

It is clear that the website MakeBlock academy help system is in need of improvement; perhaps, with an intelligent response to the users question which in the first instance is directed to the appropriate member of staff. At the same time, if there is a staff answer in existence, then maybe the user could be directed to it for additional background. Much of the traffic is concerned with trouble-shooting and there will be common themes to focus trouble-shoot guide construction.

Back to your request: here are the links as requested, you will find my posts at the end of the first one, and somewhere near the middle of the second topic.
look for the avatar “Seeker”
forum.makeblock.cc/t/laser-engraver-gcode/712
forum.makeblock.cc/t/dont-expect-help-from-makeblock-here/4001

regards,
Les G

lesgros · April 7, 2016, 1:54pm

FAO Eric,
An un-identified person from Makeblock tec-support has at last responded,but inadequately so far.
I have copied the email correspondence to supportcenter@ robotshop.com for your information.

les G

dialfonzo · April 7, 2016, 2:19pm

Hi Les.G,

There is not much we can do other than pointing out the issue to MakeBlock as this is their software solution.
If you do not feel confortable using Benbox than don’t use it. The plotter use an Arduino based controller and you can code your own application.

Best regards,

lesgros · April 7, 2016, 4:00pm

Eric,
I copied you in so that you would be “in the loop”. Thanks for your suggestion but, I am at too early a stage in learning coding to be able to tackle anything as complex as coding my own application.

Besides, as you point out, it is up to Makeblock to get a grip, and sort out the software problems. Benbox should be suitable for the task once this security issue is resolved. Hopefully, it will not take too long.

Kind regards,
Les G