Will the Clean Software Alliance save us from the scourge of unwanted

[A Guy]

Will the Clean Software Alliance save us from the scourge of unwanted software?

Last week's Virus Bulletin conference was preceded by a meeting of a fledgling operation with noble aims - to solve the problem of "unwanted" software and make sure that when we install things on our computers, those things are what we really wanted to install and nothing more.
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Unwanted software has been an irritant to both computer users and security providers for many years now.

This is the stuff you get when you visit one of the many "free" software download websites, grab a copy of the PDF reader/video player/specialist tool you need, and then click through all those "Next" buttons without paying much attention to what the screens are saying to you.

So you end up with various toolbars, system optimisation packages and much more besides, none of which you had any intention of installing when you headed to the download site.

Source

A Guy

 

[Layback Bear]

No matter what method they come up with, until people take the time to read and understand things before they tick Next their is nothing that is going to help.

 

[Seffrid]

I put the blame firmly on the companies pushing extra stuff without properly highlighting it - usually automatically unless you opt for the custom install - rather than on the user.

 

[z3r010]

TANSTAAFL!!! if you are getting something for "free" on the internet you need to accept that something is coming bundled or they are selling any data they have gathered about you, if you don't want that then pay for the software/service.

 

[Seffrid]

TANSTAAFL!!! if you are getting something for "free" on the internet you need to accept that something is coming bundled or they are selling any data they have gathered about you, if you don't want that then pay for the software/service.

That's fair enough in itself, but they don't have to conceal it. They should be perfectly open about what else you are receiving. Besides which, are you seriously claiming that they won't bundle other stuff if you do pay for their software/service? I think the term they'll refer to is "added value" !

 

[michael diemer]

I agree with Z3. Your responsibility. They're giving it away, they have the right to be sneaky. Come to think of it, just like Microsoft is giving away W10. If you accept it, you get what come with it: forced updates, loss of privacy, etc. Hey, there's a thought: Maybe this alliance can take on Big Brother (MS), and stop them from forcing unwanted updates on W7! Now that would be a true Public Service.

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't mind the bundling. I understand free is not free.
Many companies bundle and do it properly. Easy to understand instructions.
Check and don't check, that simple. I have been on some sites even when you choose not to accept bundles you still get them. Their just needs to be some ground rules on how bundling is done. I believe that can done.

Their would not be a internet as we know it without advertising. Advertising is what pays for most of what we get and think is free.

 

[Dallas 7]

I agree with Z3. Your responsibility. They're giving it away, they have the right to be sneaky. Come to think of it, just like Microsoft is giving away W10. If you accept it, you get what come with it: forced updates, loss of privacy, etc. Hey, there's a thought: Maybe this alliance can take on Big Brother (MS), and stop them from forcing unwanted updates on W7! Now that would be a true Public Service.

The "right" to be sneaky? If being sneaky is a "right", then expecting ethical behavior from companies becomes an unjust expectation.
Ethics is the real issue here. To me, a site that is purposely designed for tricking the user into making a mistake that results in downloading crapware they didn't want is totally unethical.

If the company wants to advertise, offer or promote whatever software they wish, that's fine. But when a company like Adobe offers Reader or Flash for example, they don't just advertise or offer, they place a couple of small
"pre-checked" boxes for a browser and tool bar, designed to be easily overlooked. "Pre-checked" being the key, because they know people think checking that box is one's own personal option, not Adobe's. In my opinion using trickery to hijack someone's browser is highly unethical, and there's no excuse for such a blatant lack of ethics.

I agree with Layback Bear, advertising and/or bundling can be done properly, they don't need to resort to unethical trickery.

 

[derekimo]

...and there's no excuse for such a blatant lack of ethics.

Ethics are in a perfect world, you can still find them among friends at times, it's a handshake deal or a mans word.

Interestingly though, Adobe and Microsoft are on this list,

World’s Most Ethical Companies – Honorees | Ethisphere® Institute

This may interest some as well,

The Ethics of Free Software | Dr Dobb's

 

[michael diemer]

Most people figure it out soon enough. Ethics is great. But there's also something to be said for personal responsibility. In the stone age, people didn't have this kind of piddling nonsense to worry about. They had much bigger problems, the kind that eat you. Natural selection...

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't have a problem with the way Adobe Updates are displayed.
They give me a obvious choice to uncheck or keep checked their add on downloads.
Many times the bundle is McAfee which I uncheck.

 

[ThrashZone]

Surprised it's not Intel security yet :/
Intel has disowned Mcafee branding

I saw Mcafee was running for president

 

[Layback Bear]

I will check the next Adobe Update.
Intel thought with enough time people would forget the bad rep McAffe had after time. No way, people don't forget such a bad experience.

 

[Iforgot]

hmm Mcafe Do you want fries with that?