Shady WinSCP clone in Windows Store: "Remote SSH Tool"

There appears to be a suspicious WinSCP clone in the Windows Store: Remote SSH Tool. The company's website and nearly all the reviews look very suspicious. The software looks largely identical. I would recommend that the dev check it out. I've reported the app to Microsoft using the Windows Store reporting system. Unfortunately they took my $10 (no refunds for apps in the Store) - I thought it was you! When you search for WinSCP in the Store, WinSCP and this apparent clone both pop up.

Thanks for your report.

Yes, we are aware of that app. We have also reported it to Microsoft few weeks ago (no response so far). There's not much else we can do about it.

Thanks for reporting it to Microsoft too!
Please consider posting a review as well.

Thank you for your reply. I've done that. I think I'm the only non-5-star review, and the only one without a made-up name.

I really do hope Microsoft removes this obvious scam from the Windows Store. I bet Google and Apple have much lower tolerance for such shady behavior.

Anyway, I'm a new Store user of your app (the real one). It's a great time-saver. Thank you! Easily worth the money.

AndrewG wrote:

Thank you for your reply. I've done that. I think I'm the only non-5-star review, and the only one without a made-up name.

I really do hope Microsoft removes this obvious scam from the Windows Store. I bet Google and Apple have much lower tolerance for such shady behavior.

Andrew, it looks like your review dissapeared from the Store. Can you see it? Have you perhaps removed it? I would agree with your assessment that it was one of a few genuine reviews (if not the only one). It would be funny (and sad) if it was deleted because it was the only review not in line with the others.

Petr wrote:

Andrew, it looks like your review dissapeared from the Store. Can you see it? Have you perhaps removed it? I would agree with your assessment that it was one of a few genuine reviews (if not the only one). It would be funny (and sad) if it was deleted because it was the only review not in line with the others.

It looks like my review is still there, just buried under all the BS reviews. Weirdly my review (one star) is not reflected in the review breakdown (says 0% zero stats). Still no word from Microsoft after my two complaints. Overall, pretty shady.

Just an update: WinSCP came up in a search I did in the Microsoft Store today and I thought, why not see if Remote SSH Tool is still around? It looks like it's been removed from the store. See attachment. Looking up "SSH" or "SCP" also doesn't bring it up, and the related list for WinSCP also doesn't have it. Good job, Microsoft!

But what happens to all the stock photography people on their website? ;-(

Indeed, Microsoft came back to us few days ago and asked for details. After we provided those, they have removed Remote SSH Tool from the Store.

martin wrote:

Indeed, Microsoft came back to us few days ago and asked for details. After we provided those, they have removed Remote SSH Tool from the Store.

Good.