Solved Okay I tested a Cnet download (results)

[DavidE]

Here's an interesting Emisoft Knowledge Base article.

Download-Wrapper. Secure download resource or a malware cesspool - How trustworthy are download portals nowadays?

I don't work for or use emisoft, and this article looks like it's about a year old...

 

[Alejandro85]

I still insist regardless of what site we are talking about.

Why to use a third party download site when we have the OFFICIAL site available?

It seems like a no-brainer choice to me. If the real source is broken, unavailable or whatever, then we can begin to speak about other places to get it, but no other source is as reliable as the true publisher itself.

 

[gregrocker]

Agreed. But CNET had authoritative reviews that many relied upon so felt it safe to download from there. This made their conversion to crapware peddlers an especially bitter betrayal.

 

[DavidE]

I still insist regardless of what site we are talking about.

Why to use a third party download site when we have the OFFICIAL site available?

It seems like a no-brainer choice to me. If the real source is broken, unavailable or whatever, then we can begin to speak about other places to get it, but no other source is as reliable as the true publisher itself.

Some software vendors do not have a direct download available from their site.
Malwarebytes is one example.
Here is a quote from the MBAM forum about where to download from.
(Note: The Malwarebytes Helpdesk link is not a direct download.)

Where can I download the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?

• Malwarebytes Helpdesk
• Filehippo
• Fileforum.betanews
• CNet
• MajorGeeks
• TechSpot
• Bleepingcomputer
• Snapfiles
• Yahoo
• Tucows

Source: MBAM PRO Download has virus at CNET site - Malwarebytes Forum (Post #3)

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you DavidW7ncus. The article (website) in your post #41 was great.
It was very informative and I recommend all to read. Sites like Cnet state their downloads are virus and spyware free. It does not state that they are free of all unwanted little goodies what ever name they may be called by. Just because something is not considered a virus or spyware does not mean you want it included. The adding of a unwanted Tool Bar which is not considered a virus or spyware is still not a good thing. The Tool Bar itself is not spyware but it does open the back door for spyware.
Beware of the tricky wording some sites use.
Their is no such thing as a no-brainier when it comes to downloading anything. That is exactly what the download site wants people to think or better yet not to think. Just run with the download. After all they love us all and would never do anything to harm us. Bull Droppings.

 

[Elwood42]

So really, an installation wrapper just comes with the download and asks if you want google toolbars, or free trials of programs. Just unwanted programs, not actual viruses, trojans or keyloggers and the likes?

This threat got me so worked up thinking the downloads were virus ridden, when it's just unwanted programs, sometimes known as malware that people don't want.

 

[Emoclaw]

CNet actually has "Direct link" under CNet installer enabled, I don't use it to download software however I think it's a good source for news.

 

[caperjack]

So really, an installation wrapper just comes with the download and asks if you want google toolbars, or free trials of programs. Just unwanted programs, not actual viruses, trojans or keyloggers and the likes?
.

yes this is true for legit download sites ,if you download programs from :torrent" sites and the like ,you could end up with software that has trojans/viruses and such nastiest packaged with them

 

[Alejandro85]

Some software vendors do not have a direct download available from their site.
Malwarebytes is one example.
Here is a quote from the MBAM forum about where to download from.
(Note: The Malwarebytes Helpdesk link is not a direct download.)

Here is the official link from Malwarebytes itself: Malwarebytes : Thank You!
But it's a good point. If a program don't have a real official link, then there is no choice but to download from third party sites and live with the repacked thing, or skip it altogether. I personally will have some doubts about software authors that are unable to provide an official download way. But that's another history.

So really, an installation wrapper just comes with the download and asks if you want google toolbars, or free trials of programs. Just unwanted programs, not actual viruses, trojans or keyloggers and the likes?

This threat got me so worked up thinking the downloads were virus ridden, when it's just unwanted programs, sometimes known as malware that people don't want.

Maybe they're not exactly "viruses", but not because a program isn't specifically conceived to make harm it means that you want it in your computer.
If I want to have "program A", I'll go and download it, but when installing, I want my system with "program A" only, not "program B" and "some great toolbar for IE", I just don't care about those and if I do, I would download them explicitly. The operative word here is unwanted things. Not damaging and innocuous, but not what I searched for. I, and only I, control and decide what enters my computer.

 

[DavidE]

Some software vendors do not have a direct download available from their site.
Malwarebytes is one example.
Here is a quote from the MBAM forum about where to download from.
(Note: The Malwarebytes Helpdesk link is not a direct download.)

Here is the official link from Malwarebytes itself: Malwarebytes : Thank You!

How did you get to that page/link for a download?
Is it available on the Malwarebytes site somewhere?
I've never had that page/link open when downloading Malwarebytes.

 

[gregrocker]

Bookmarked. Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

I think MAM changes it's download every now and again to keep the bad boys from tampering with it.
Just my thoughts.

 

[DavidE]

The link LaybackBear posted takes me to the "Normal Preferred" download site (CNET).
I don't know where the download link Alejandro85 posted came from.
I've read Cleverbridge gives a download link if the MBAM purchase is through Cleverbridge (online purchase).
I purchased MBAM Pro "packaged" from Newegg, so I don't have the "Cleverbridge" link.
If the link posted by Alejandro85 is from Cleverbridge, is it OK to post this publicly on the SF forum?
Just wondering, as there is thread/discussion on posting links for Win 7 ISO downloads...

 

[Britton30]

Thanks for the credit Jack. I will hazard a guess that c|net add all the crapware, it's all about money. I no longer believe them that "this download has been checked and is free of adware and spyware."

 

[Layback Bear]

You should get this.

 

[DavidE]

You should get this.
View attachment 258407

When I click on "Download Now" on that MBAM page I get transferred to a CNET page for the download.

 

[Britton30]

Try this one as Alejandro85 posted.
Malwarebytes : Thank You!
I couldn't find it either, but I downloaded it and from c|NET and they are the same.

 

[DavidE]

I downloaded both and the exe's are the same as far as I can tell.
So, I guess that means CNET does not add anything (Wrapper) to the Malwarebytes download ?

 

[Britton30]

I downloaded both and the exe's are the same as far as I can tell.
So, I guess that means CNET does not add anything (Wrapper) to the Malwarebytes download ?

Not on this one at any rate. Be watchful of any download that is not hosted by the company offering it.

 

[caperjack]

get it from malwarebytes ,as it says on the site ,get it from our trusted partners ,so they trust Cnet site so i guess we should too .