OpenCandy

[pparks1]

My MSE did the same, I choose to go ahead and keep the files with OpenCandy...it didn't seem harmful since I'm a very cautious installed who always runs custom installs and unticks everything that I don't need/want.

 

[winsupertweaker]

I find the defense of this practice as repugnant as the practice itself.

Totally agree with you HammerHead. I think people who defend any type of stealth installation are totally in the dark about the term "piggy-back" or are developers trying to defend their use of this "stealth software".

It's completely indefensible!

 

[adrianbourke]

I find the defense of this practice as repugnant as the practice itself.

Totally agree with you HammerHead. I think people who defend any type of stealth installation are totally in the dark about the term "piggy-back" or are developers trying to defend their use of this "stealth software".

It's completely indefensible!

Stealth installations are a form of malware, which I'm happy to say the anti-malware providers are doing a great job at cracking down on and providing users.

It's great, and important to note for those just reading the end of this forum threat, that OpenCandy isn't involved in such practices.

 

[Borg 386]

You even have to be careful when you upgrade existing programs, as evidenced by this article....BTW, I noticed this little trick also last time I upgraded from Adobe.

Dear Adobe,

You almost got me. After opening a PDF in Adobe Reader 9, I decided to accept your pop-up offer to upgrade to version 10 (also known as Adobe Reader X). A few seconds later, I was staring at your download page, with its bright yellow Download now button just waiting for my click. Easy-peasy.

But then, with my index finger poised over the mouse button, I noticed something on the righthand side of the page--you know, the area often reserved for ads. In fact, it kind of looked like an ad, which is why my eyes initially passed over it. But then I looked closer, and here's what I saw:

(McAfee Security Scan Plus already checked, see the image on the article)

Desperately Seeking a Good PDF Reader - PCWorld

Hey! You were going to sneak McAfee Security Scan Plus onto my system, as evidenced by the already checked "Include in your download" box. I wonder how many thousands of users never noticed that, then sat there scratching their heads trying to figure out how this mysterious security utility ended up on their systems. I wonder how many suspected it of being a fake, then wasted time and/or money trying to remove it. I wonder what kind of impact the software had on system performance, especially on machines already equipped with other security software. (When these kinds of tools overlap, they can actually cause problems.)

Bad Adobe. Bad! Alas, you're not the only culprit of this obnoxious behavior. As I wrote in How to Avoid Unwanted Toolbars: "many shareware, freeware, and even commercial programs try to slip in a browser toolbar during installation; and if you're not paying attention, you might click right past the setup screen that lets you opt out. For example, when you install a Java update, you'll end up with the Yahoo Toolbar unless you uncheck a box along the way."

There's only so many times I can caution readers to pay close, careful attention when installing anything--even from a company as seemingly trustworthy as yours. How about you accept a little of the responsibility? If you're going to try to shovel unwanted third-party software onto users' systems, at least leave the box unchecked by default.

 

[winsupertweaker]

Remember that many of these companies "are hard up for cash", they give away their software free.

That's makes it all the worse for them. Adding anything that can be installed "other than the downloaded software", whether by option or hidden is devious. Once the suspicion is validated, which was the screenshot I sent to a company after they told me OpenCandy was not in their software----they emailed me back and asked if I would like the software for free (to keep me quiet). I posted my findings in a download forum and did not accept the freebie.

No excuse for added crap.....period.

 

[Layback Bear]

The Ask Tool Bar, what a pain in the bass. It took three programs and safe mode and regedit to get rid of all the hiding places it had. On some programs even when you un-check it you still get it. I would suggest after you un-check the add on and complete the rest of the download check to see if you still got the un-checked program or add on. Un-check doesn't always mean you don't get it.

 

[Golden]

You even have to be careful when you upgrade existing programs, as evidenced by this article....BTW, I noticed this little trick also last time I upgraded from Adobe.

Someone once recommend NitroPDF to me as an alternative to Adobe - I found it to be extremly good without any "tricks".

If anyone is interested, here is the link Download Nitro PDF Reader

Regards,
Golden.

 

[Dave76]

I use Nitro PDF Reader, it's good and a lot smaller footprint.

Adobe is gone because of the add on programs and the huge size.

This is one of the reasons I don't like HP printers, their drivers are horrible for always trying to add toolbars and programs with every update.
It has to be the worst I've seen.

 

[HammerHead]

Nitro

Dave76

I prefer Nitro to Adobe, but two web sites that i use are coded to look for Adobe when you open one of their pdf files. So I had to go back to Adobe. I assume that was the problem. Why would they do that? The system should look for the exe that is associated with that paticular extension and use it. I never really understood.

 

[Dave76]

That is definitely annoying, Adobe was widely used for a long time so they must have set it up that way thinking 'everyone uses it'.

Maybe if you dropped a message to the Admin, they might change it.

 

[winsupertweaker]

It's six months later and no one has said "thank you" for motivating the developers to remove OpenCandy from Sothink.com 's Free Video converter! Geez, Louise!! LOL

 

[Layback Bear]

Well Louis I don't use sothink.com so I didn't know.

 

[jumanji]

No doubt, Open Candy is an adware but of a different kind. An extract from their website Connecting Software Developers and Advertisers | OpenCandy


The OpenCandy Software Network powers user-friendly software recommendations in Windows installers.

1. Software advertisers offer their products through OpenCandy
2. Developers choose offers to recommend
3. OpenCandy powers recommendations during installation.

It works only during the installation of a software that carries it, advertising some or other software. One need not necessarily install the recommended software. As far as I have known it does not install itself into the system.

Way back, when I tried to update Mediainfo, MSE detected it as a malware. Subsequently, Open Candy took up the matter with Microsoft and must have convinced them that it is not. MSE no longer treats Open Candy as a malware for the above reasons.

Once the clouds cleared, I installed Mediainfo.

 

[richnrockville]

FWIW: I started in this computer/software business a long time ago when the only things available were dos, ezwriter, wordstar and a few others. Then in the 80's people started writing software and gave it away free. Then a famous author of pc-file started the freeware/shareware option. Many did contribute voluntarily and some of the authors of good programs did make a little money. They did not have to resort to add on's for other programs.

Now a days, probably about 85% of the people who own PC's don't have the slightest idea of how to install programs in the advanced mode. They just hit enter and their systems get loaded with junk and of course most don't know how to get rid of them. Those of us who frequent the Windows 7 forums are by the most part a step above the 85% in that either they are here for help or they are helpers. That is probably one reason many here are super sensitive about adware addon's.

I like to pull my network cable when I install new FREE programs to make sure that things work ok and my firewall takes care of any that want to call home.

Just my take on all this.

You don't get nothing for nothing! (my old grandfather told me that over 60 years ago)

Rich