Solved Legal or not..? Unasked for software riding in on downloads.

[jd50ae]

I recently tried to download a word processor from CNET. Even though I was careful and read all the screens I ended up with 3 installed programs I did not ask for. It took forever to remove what I could find.:banghead:

I will never use CNET again.:mad2:

The question is, is this legal..?
Can it be stopped..?
Can it be avoided..?

 

[kado897]

Legal....maybe.
Ethical...no.

Some thoughts on avoiding PUPs.

Never accept the default or quick install. If you do you don't get the chance to uncheck the install of this crap.
If there is a choice download directly from the author's site.
If there is a SourceForge download use it. It is generally clean.

 

[sygnus21]

Never accept the default or quick install. If you do you don't get the chance to uncheck the install of this crap.

If there is a choice download directly from the author's site.

Agree, but even at that you still have to read very carefully as some programs, mainly java and flash sill try sneaking stuff in. The bottom line... pay very very close attention to what's happening on your installs, and yeah... custom, custom, custom install.

Yes, usually getting it from the author's site works, but note java and flash seems to be in bed with some of these crapware folks, so even getting it from the author's site isn't always a guarantee to be free of crapware.

As for the question of legality... I'm sure there's a slippery slope there, but you are getting free software so...

 

[kado897]

I don't use Java these days and I use the Chrome browser which has it's own version of flash updated along with chrome.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

CNET used to be a great source of bloatware free software but, anymore now, downloading from there is a crapshoot against house odds. It started when blocking their cookie would cause the site to essentially lockup because it went into an endless loop, repeatedly trying to put a cookie on my computer (I don't know if it was deliberate or their web designers merely flunked Error Trapping 101, something that is pretty common anymore), then escalated to bloatware being added to the downloads. For a while, they forced me (correction: tried to force me) to download a downloader which tripped alarms on all my anti-malware programs, then they dropped that abomination and added more bloatware.

Sadly, some software still uses CNET as their only download site but, fortunately, most of those downloads are clean or the bloatware (the polite term, btw, I have more accurate ones but Mama told me not to use those words) is easily avoided.

I understand these sites have to make an income somehow but underhandly sneaking in bloatware is despicably unacceptable. If advertising alone won't cut the mustard, then shareware, where you get to try before you buy, would be a far more acceptable alternative.

 

[bigmck]

I recently tried to download a word processor from CNET. Even though I was careful and read all the screens I ended up with 3 installed programs I did not ask for. It took forever to remove what I could find.:banghead:

I will never use CNET again.:mad2:

The question is, is this legal..?
Can it be stopped..?
Can it be avoided..?

Just a tip, create a System Restore Point before you Download. Try to uncheck all of the crap in the download, but if you miss some, you can always do a System Restore to before you did the Download.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...Just a tip, create a System Restore Point before you Download. Try to uncheck all of the crap in the download, but if you miss some, you can always do a System Restore to before you did the Download.

Or make an image of your System. I've found System Restore to be unreliable in the past and no longer use it; in fact, I've turned it off. I've never had a problem restoring an image.

 

[andrew129260]

No offence, but its really easy to avoid cnets crap. I am still pissed they did this though.

Anything that states download now green button cnet installer enabled is going to install junk. If the green download button does not mention cnet installer enabled then its clean from their crapware. Although if the manufacturer offers stuff that will still be in there.

To avoid this, click the direct download link.
First shot is crapware, second is clean from it.
Always avoid big download buttons

 

[kado897]

Thanks Andrew. I didn't know that.

 

[sygnus21]

I don't use Java these days and I use the Chrome browser which has it's own version of flash updated along with chrome.

That's not the point. The point was using it as an example of a software needing close scrutiny when installing.

 

[kado897]

I don't use Java these days and I use the Chrome browser which has it's own version of flash updated along with chrome.

That's not the point. The point was using it as an example of a software needing close scrutiny when installing.

I agree.

 

[Jacee]

Because this "foistware/adware" gets bundled and downloaded, even tho' you elected not to have it ... AdwCleaner will clean the junk. Also, it has a Hosts Anti-PUP/Adware that you can download by clicking the tools button.
Download here: AdwCleaner Download
Save it to your desktop.
Click to open, click "scan".
After you get the .txt log ... run it again and click "clean".

This program is being updated continually, so run it again and click "uninstall". You can always download a fresh and up-to-date copy if needed.

 

[Golden]

Anyone speak French? Can you translate this box?

 

[sygnus21]

Thanks for the tip Jacee.

@ Golden, can't help you there.

 

[Golden]

If you install the anti-PUP the confirmation? boxes are all in French, hence the question.

 

[scr]

Anyone speak French? Can you translate this box?

View attachment 291762

Mise à jour = Update

du = of

fichier = file

filtrant = filtering

effectuer = To be done, to be executed, to be carried out

I don't speak french but if you need it in the future French English dictionary | translation French English | Reverso

Translation
Mise à jour du fichier HOSTS filtrant effectuer
Update of the filtering file HOSTS to make
http://www.reverso.net/translationresults.aspx?lang=EN&direction=french-english

 

[madcratebuilder]

CNET is possibly the worse offender at this practice. I avoid them. You really have to watch all freeware and shareware, many have tag-a-longs. I set up a old box just to screen downloads with.

 

[Layback Bear]

I think what Golden is hinting at; if things were in English it world be more understanding to us English speaking people.

The only reason I ever downloaded it the first time was because Jacee recommended it. Otherwise not being something I can read and understand I would of never tried it.

Their is a good possibility others think the same way.

 

[x BlueRobot]

I would suggest reading the Terms and Conditions, or any small prints when installing programs. Usually, especially with Java and Adobe, it will mention programs which will be installed on your system.

 

[sygnus21]

I would suggest reading the Terms and Conditions, or any small prints when installing programs. Usually, especially with Java and Adobe, it will mention programs which will be installed on your system.

That's a good point; at the very least, at least scan them. I've now made a habit of doing this every time I install something... courtesy of both Adobe and Java