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Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil

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  Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2014-08-19 10:39 +0000
    Re: Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil RS Wood <rsw@therandymon.com> - 2014-08-19 13:10 +0000
      Re: Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil polygonum <rmoudndgers@vrod.co.uk> - 2014-08-19 19:09 +0100
        Re: Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> - 2014-08-20 11:59 +1000
          Re: Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil polygonum <rmoudndgers@vrod.co.uk> - 2014-08-20 07:35 +0100

#4478 — Download Wrappers and Unwanted Software are pure evil

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/DownloadWrappersAndUnwantedSoftwareArePureEvil.aspx

   Call it Adware, Malware, Spyware, Crapware, it's simply unwanted. Every
   non-technical relative I've ever talked to has toolbars they apparently
   can't see, apps running in the background, browser home pages set to
   Russian Google clones, and they have no idea how it got that way.

   Here's how they get that way.

   ...

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#4482

On Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:39:07 +0000 (UTC)
Rich <rich@example.invalid> wrote:

> http://www.hanselman.com/blog/DownloadWrappersAndUnwantedSoftwareArePureEvil.aspx
> 
>    Call it Adware, Malware, Spyware, Crapware, it's simply unwanted. Every
>    non-technical relative I've ever talked to has toolbars they apparently
>    can't see, apps running in the background, browser home pages set to
>    Russian Google clones, and they have no idea how it got that way.
> 
>    Here's how they get that way.
> 
>    ...

How funny, I just logged in to post that very article.  It's a good
read, not because it's new information but because it's well
presented.  The guy obviously spent some time on that page.  Here's my
favorite part:

//--clip
"Install Search Protect to set [CHANGE] my home page and [TOTALLY MESS
UP] default search to Conduit Search [THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND
NEITHER DO YOU] and [NOW THIS IS AUDACIOUS...] prevent attempts to
change my browser settings."
//--clip


Yes, may I please have some of that Internet download goodness?

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#4492

On 19/08/2014 14:10, RS Wood wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:39:07 +0000 (UTC)
> Rich <rich@example.invalid> wrote:
>
>> http://www.hanselman.com/blog/DownloadWrappersAndUnwantedSoftwareArePureEvil.aspx
>>
>>     Call it Adware, Malware, Spyware, Crapware, it's simply unwanted. Every
>>     non-technical relative I've ever talked to has toolbars they apparently
>>     can't see, apps running in the background, browser home pages set to
>>     Russian Google clones, and they have no idea how it got that way.
>>
>>     Here's how they get that way.
>>
>>     ...
>
> How funny, I just logged in to post that very article.  It's a good
> read, not because it's new information but because it's well
> presented.  The guy obviously spent some time on that page.  Here's my
> favorite part:
>
> //--clip
> "Install Search Protect to set [CHANGE] my home page and [TOTALLY MESS
> UP] default search to Conduit Search [THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND
> NEITHER DO YOU] and [NOW THIS IS AUDACIOUS...] prevent attempts to
> change my browser settings."
> //--clip
>
>
> Yes, may I please have some of that Internet download goodness?
>
Having spent far too many hours getting rid of Ask, Conduit, Bubble 
Dock, et al, the ones I hate with even more vengeance than others are 
those with malevolent uninstallers. Sure, to keep the tiniest bit the 
right side of being absolute malware, they do actually have in installer 
which can uninstall the "product". But as it does so, you go through 
what seems like a never-ending stream of options asking you if you now 
want to install some other pile of stinking elephant crap. You have to 
read each one to make sure it isn't worded the opposite way round - 
which could catch you out with lazy clicking.

-- 
Rod

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#4500

On 20/08/2014 4:09 AM, polygonum wrote:
> On 19/08/2014 14:10, RS Wood wrote:
>> On Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:39:07 +0000 (UTC)
>> Rich <rich@example.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.hanselman.com/blog/DownloadWrappersAndUnwantedSoftwareArePureEvil.aspx
>>>
>>>
>>>     Call it Adware, Malware, Spyware, Crapware, it's simply unwanted.
>>> Every
>>>     non-technical relative I've ever talked to has toolbars they
>>> apparently
>>>     can't see, apps running in the background, browser home pages set to
>>>     Russian Google clones, and they have no idea how it got that way.
>>>
>>>     Here's how they get that way.
>>>
>>>     ...
>>
>> How funny, I just logged in to post that very article.  It's a good
>> read, not because it's new information but because it's well
>> presented.  The guy obviously spent some time on that page.  Here's my
>> favorite part:
>>
>> //--clip
>> "Install Search Protect to set [CHANGE] my home page and [TOTALLY MESS
>> UP] default search to Conduit Search [THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND
>> NEITHER DO YOU] and [NOW THIS IS AUDACIOUS...] prevent attempts to
>> change my browser settings."
>> //--clip
>>
>>
>> Yes, may I please have some of that Internet download goodness?
>>
> Having spent far too many hours getting rid of Ask, Conduit, Bubble
> Dock, et al, the ones I hate with even more vengeance than others are
> those with malevolent uninstallers. Sure, to keep the tiniest bit the
> right side of being absolute malware, they do actually have in installer
> which can uninstall the "product". But as it does so, you go through
> what seems like a never-ending stream of options asking you if you now
> want to install some other pile of stinking elephant crap. You have to
> read each one to make sure it isn't worded the opposite way round -
> which could catch you out with lazy clicking.
>

Ultimately, the question is what the courts would make of this.

With undoubted malware, the issue tends to be moot, since there's no 
identifiable party to sue.

Until someone actually sues the supplier of one of these wrapper 
products, we won't know whether their attempts to sit just on the 
lawfulness side of the line really work in law.

Sylvia.

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#4502

On 20/08/2014 02:59, Sylvia Else wrote:
> Until someone actually sues the supplier of one of these wrapper
> products, we won't know whether their attempts to sit just on the
> lawfulness side of the line really work in law.

Roll on the case - from someone with lots of money to pay the lawyers.

-- 
Rod

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