Why does crapware still exist?

[Night Hawk]

There's been some hype about the latest java update to fix the bug leaving you more exposed! Mozilla is actually blocking the latest Java 7 update 10. https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2013/01/11/protecting-users-against-java-vulnerability/

 

[Bertison]

There's been some hype about the latest java update to fix the bug leaving you more exposed! Mozilla is actually blocking the latest Java 7 update 10. https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2013/01/11/protecting-users-against-java-vulnerability/

+1 Night Hawk

-I had that yesterday from FF, just proves that the open Source alternative has its eye on the ball, as usual first to act.

But if everyone keeps eyes open for the check boxes, it would not happen. I got burned once, they don't get another chance.

 

[Cr00zng]

There's been some hype about the latest java update to fix the bug leaving you more exposed! Mozilla is actually blocking the latest Java 7 update 10. https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2013/01/11/protecting-users-against-java-vulnerability/

Maybe I've misunderstood you, but...

On one of my laptops the Java version is 7.09 and Mozilla did not disable it, and yes, the laptop does have Firefox version 18.01. The plugin check page did complain about the outdated version of java and flash, haven't boot this laptop for couple of month, but by no means Mozilla should disable plugins in my systems. They have no access to my system for blocking functions in my installation of Firefox.

 

[Night Hawk]

There's been some hype about the latest java update to fix the bug leaving you more exposed! Mozilla is actually blocking the latest Java 7 update 10. https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2013/01/11/protecting-users-against-java-vulnerability/

+1 Night Hawk

-I had that yesterday from FF, just proves that the open Source alternative has its eye on the ball, as usual first to act.

But if everyone keeps eyes open for the check boxes, it would not happen. I got burned once, they don't get another chance.

Unfortunately that is how you learn! I had that happen a few times either when not immediately spotting the "unwanted extras" and then the need to get rid of them or simply forgetting to look and uncheck and then have to go back and remove! I think most us have been in that spot likely more times then we realize over a period of years.

When trying out a few freebie dvd burners or video converter programs they always manage to slip in something under the hood you don't find until after you start using the program itself. I seen that stunt too often as well as the unwanted toolbar crapola!

There's been some hype about the latest java update to fix the bug leaving you more exposed! Mozilla is actually blocking the latest Java 7 update 10. https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2013/01/11/protecting-users-against-java-vulnerability/

Maybe I've misunderstood you, but...

On one of my laptops the Java version is 7.09 and Mozilla did not disable it, and yes, the laptop does have Firefox version 18.01. The plugin check page did complain about the outdated version of java and flash, haven't boot this laptop for couple of month, but by no means Mozilla should disable plugins in my systems. They have no access to my system for blocking functions in my installation of Firefox.

That was a bit odd here when first seen. But according to that source the very latest is what is effected which would be the 7.10 not any previous update. Evidently Mozilla found a new bug in that that wasn't seen in anything previously and made the move to block it.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Unwanted Changes

I've seen some installers make changes to the Registry and create folders on your drives, EVEN if you don't install them.

The other thing I hate, is the installers that replace the "Next" and "Back" buttons, with "Accept" and "Decline" buttons.

 

[gregrocker]

Those pages always offer crapware. Choose Decline whenever it appears.

 

[Night Hawk]

I run into that quite often then not when you want to try one thing but are required to install some crapware along with it? No Thanks! That download gets dumped on the spot!

When you can't opt out of something unwanted the thing to remember is that the program you are trying out is also placed into the "Unwanted" catagory along with the other crap. That's when you look for a better alternative that at least provides key word "options"! You typically would expect that from Adobe as well as other better software writers but can still see the crud mixed in at times.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

All times I used Tor network for anonimity, the browser in the client package (a slightly modified Firefox they just call TorBrowser) is set to use Startpage.com as primary search engine, it boasts about not collecting data, IP and stuff.
It is basically a dedicated proxy to use Google's search engine safely.
The company operating it is Ixquick.

I think that the opt-out site gregrocker posted does more or less the same as the Firefox options about telling the sites to not track me (in the privacy tab of the option panel). As it does not force the company to do anything, I think Ghostery and/or NoScript addon is better (as they lock down tracking scripts/cookies/whatever with force).

 

[Night Hawk]

Sometimes it helps having a 3rd party source to intervene. But that is for web browsing(safe) in general not finding "unwanted" items pushed on you when supposedly downloading an update from a regular source such as Adobe or SUN Microsystems who supplies java runtime.

Now when mentioning Adobe.com obviously the first thing you will hear back is that "you can always use Sumatra!" while in fact all too many sites with pdf docs to view require the Adobe Reader to be installed. It's what you call an industry "web based" standard.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Now when mentioning Adobe.com obviously the first thing you will hear back is that "you can always use Sumatra!" while in fact all too many sites with pdf docs to view require the Adobe Reader to be installed. It's what you call an industry "web based" standard.

what sites are you talking about? I never had any issue seeing PDFs in my browser in the couple years I'm using Foxit Reader (and its plugin), although my browsing habits may (should) differ from yours.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I always download pdf files and then view them in:

• Foxit Reader in Windows.
• The default pdf viewer in Linux distros

 

[Night Hawk]

Well not everyone is aware that they can easily save pdf files to the drive and view them with a separate program. In some cases like at OEM support sites you may find that there is no download and save to drive option where the site still requires Adobe Reader.

That simply puts you between a rock and hard place if you have elected not to see Adobe or are trying to view them on another OS. Or in many cases the doc files with a particular program require Adobe Reader and that is included in the program's installer as well.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I have to admit there has been a couple times where Adobe reader was absolutely required, like Night Hawk, said.

And these were pretty important government forms and documents that simply do not have an alternative.

 

[gregrocker]

Does anyone have the new Adobe Reader and how do you like it? I have stuck with 9 to avoid the bloat and it's being updated regularly so it seems secure. But I don't want to be unnecessarily stubborn.

 

[Night Hawk]

When looking at the folder since I always delete the shortcut right off it showed Adobe 7.0 here. That's from seeing the prompts too frequently for each new version and simply opting out if not dumping the new shortcut.

 

[x BlueRobot]

I'm running Adobe Reader XI, I'm not sure if I was faced with any bloatware or not; may have removed it though.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

I'm still curious. Were those sites checking if you had adobe reader plugin and refusing to work without? Otherwise I don't see how that could happen as pretty much every other PDF reader has its own plugin so you can see the pdf in the browser without downloading it.

Can you link one I can access to? (please don't link to your tax payment forms)

 

[gregrocker]

That .pdf helper is installed with Adobe Reader, may be listed in browser Add-Ons as Acrobat. I've never had it go missing when I have Adobe Reader installed.

How do you like Reader XI, does it bother you much or do you turn it off in msconfig? My impression the first time I tried it was bloat, but I've since installed it once and it seemed tamer.

 

[HammerHead]

PDF File

bobafetthotmail is this what you were asking for?

View attachment 050912 Sirius offer.pdf

 

[lehnerus2000]

Auto-download and display

bobafetthotmail is this what you were asking for?

View attachment 251365

This is what happens when I click the link:

​

Note
Obviously I'm not using a browser plugin.