DOWNLOAD ALERT: Foistware Warning - Comments Page 3

Thanks Bob for this xposay on Foistware. I got into this CNet @!#! hole myself and wondered if I would ever see the light of day again. I am going to re- post this to our local computer club in Mission, TX

Thank you so much for this great information! I hate it when companies try to sneak things by anyone when they have gone to their site for a specific download or update.

Hello Bob and Everyone else.

Simply put . . . get Rid of this "foistware" by downloading and installing Spybot Search and Destroy!
This is the official link to the site:

http://www.safer-networking.org/

I am very experienced with downloads and extremely wary but guess what? Just the other day suddenly after a Cnet download ZoneAlarm was asking me if it was OK to allow Coupon Companion to access the internet!

Of course I said NO!

It did seem to uninstall very easily, so far unless it is hiding somewhere.

I use ninite.com; all the goodies without the foistware - always up to date.

I also used to trust CNet as one of the places I thought it was safe to download programs. Thanks for the good information. I will try your recommended Ninite for my future downloads including the freebies you recommend, unless you have a better recommendation of how to safely download programs. Also I'm confused about Java because if I delete some programs will not run?
What can be done?

This is a great article. Is there a way to share on facebook on your site. I know I can copy and paste the link which I sometimes do, so just wondering if it is something you might do in the future.

I too WAS a great fan of CNET Download. After my last experience, much like Bob's, I will never use them again unless they clean up their act. I tried to find a Contact Us link so I could complain to them, but could not find it.

MBAM? Is IObit Malware Fighter Free a recommended tool as well? Are they related? Thanks

I too downloaded the last ever program from CNET. I will boycott them until I hear that they are no longer using FOISTWARE. There is one toolbar from conduit.com that particularly hard to remove from CHROME. But with persistence I removed it too.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments.

Followed your recomendation & installed "FREE" MalawareBytes last week. First time I tried to use it got the message your trial period has expired. Send money to continue. So much for "FREE."

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm wondering if you downloaded the wrong program. I've used MBAM for years and never saw it asking for money. In fact, I downloaded it yesterday and used it on my son's laptop. Check out these screen shots of MBAM and let me know if your looks the same:
https://www.google.com/search?q=mbam&tbm=isch

There's a link to email Seth Rosenblatt, Senior Editor of CNET Downloads at

http://www.cnet.com/profile/srosenblatt/

You have to log in to CNET to use the email form.

When I worked in a Library - we had a sign posted - Remember the RATS RULE
R.ead A.ll T.he S.creens

you are right that the average user and downloader just clicks next on screens and or doesn't read the entire page/screen of information right in front of them, And today so many download pages are filled with links that entice and confuse people.

Thank you for the tips and information this article provides.

Thanks you Bob for this story. I only hope that CNET starts catching enough guff from former fans that they will see the error of their ways. It is sad that such a valuable resource has become tarnished.

Good article, bob, and I can give you additional support from Bill of WINPATROL (see http://billpstudios.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-dangers-of-downloading-free-software.html)He has found several other BAD download sites including FILEHIPPO.
And this foistware is not limited to free software! I can no longer upgrade my registered ROBOFORM from anywhere but CNET and then I still have to watch out for all the extras.

Thanks Bob. I used to trust CNET too, but noticed some time ago things that looked suspicious on their site. I no longer use them,and would certainly not recommend them. I hope someone from CNET is reading these comments.

Great article--I was pleased to tweet it.

My first experience with the Ask Toolbar (either it's useless, or its workings are too great for mind to comprehend) got me off the "give it a shot" mindset years ago and got me to look closely every step of an installation.

If I could "favorite" this page I would!

I completely agree with the CNET nightmare. I really regret to say this because this site was one of my favorite download places but now it behaves strangely. I'm going to miss the good CNET. GOOD BYE.

I literally just had this just yesterday after downloading a few clean-up and system defrag programs. Random words on internet pages were underlined and had links to dodgy adds that were obviously scams. It really scared me; I thought I had a serious virus.
It even invaded facebook, but there was a notice saying that the ads were not from the site and were from 'coupon companion', so I figured out it was an extension I had accidentally downloaded. I usually pay attention, but I guess I let that one through.

I will never - never -never trust Cnet again.
They foisted the Iminent toolbar on me even after I had declined their terms & condition (there being no other opt-out).
Nothing would uninstall Iminent - it kept coming back. I had to resort to Hijack this and manual registry edits (hundreds of settings).
I loath and despise Cnet, Iminent and all their kind.
Your warning is timely