August 24, 2011

Download.com Turns Evil

Filed under: News — admin @ 7:35 am

Once upon a time, download.com (I’m not linking to the site) was a reputable place to visit and pick up solid, virus-free, bloatware-downloads. It may still have the downloads. I’m pretty sure they’re virus-free. But the bloatware? Well, that comes in a wrapper.

Apparently download.com is sticking bloatware in the installer scripts, so you automatically get crap you don’t want when you download something legitimate. In case you don’t know, bloatware are those extra programs, toolbars, and other annoying add-ons that you probably don’t want, don’t need, and didn’t ask for.

In most cases, you can dispense with the bloatware by checking (or un-checking) a box before the download starts. That’s okay. What’s not okay is hiding that opt-out setting or dispensing with it completely.

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3 Comments

  1. That’s a shame I used that site quite a bit, I tend to find myself using softpedia more these days. I noticed more when I was running XP that even if you unticked the box to not install said tool bar it would just go right ahead and do it anyway. Doesn’t seem to be so much of a problem with Windows 7. I think the last thing I got off there was a file converter, nice free ware program no problems did the file conversion. Then when I next re booted a stupid pop appeared trying to get me to buy the full pay version. It proved a bit of a hassle to get rid of as well. It made me wonder if this little pop up program had been tacked on, as the file converter was nice and simple.

    Comment by chiefnoobie — August 24, 2011 @ 8:41 am

  2. I enjoy the ability to have trial programs, even when they bug you. The bugging serves to remind me to buy the thing if I use it. I’ve done that many times. But it also serves to remind me to remove the thing when I don’t use it. I’ve done that many times as well.

    Comment by admin — August 24, 2011 @ 9:02 am

  3. Yes I have no problem with trail versions of Software, this program I used was classed as completly free, I don’t think they should have pop up’s if the program is free. for example the free AVG just as a little banner on one screen telling you about the paid version of the program.

    Comment by chiefnoobie — August 25, 2011 @ 3:42 am

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