DOWNLOAD ALERT: Foistware Warning - Comments Page 1

I believe I've given up on CNET. Many times when asked to download a website you are given some 3 to 5 choices. I'll take my downloads else where.

Totally agree regarding CNET - a once decent site now reduced to pedalling all sorts of junk and malware on the unsuspecting. I crossed them off of my christmas card list some time ago.

Thank you for publishing this. Every time I see this crap I get a little more annoyed, and particularly when it's a site or company (Cnet, Oracle) that I think should be trustworthy and that I depend on to some extent for certain things. I consider myself a savvy and wary vet of the I-net, but occasionally I've been tricked (carelessly) into some of these traps, and I cannot imagine that it does not happen to many people on a regular basis. And some of it can be devilishly hard to get rid of. In many instances I end up using the usually reliable method of simply running system restore.

Yes, I experienced the hassles with downloading from CNET, too, just as Bob describes. It made me angry; a company I heretofore trusted revealed itself to be annoying and unprofessional. At least that was my reaction.

I say, if you feel this way too, boycott them. Don’t use CNET until they wake up and realize it is not good business to foist the unwanted on the unwary. And perhaps we all could follow up with an email to CNET complaining of their irritating policies.

Bob, thank you for this warning. I have noticed too a rise in the number of subtle ways that downloaders try to add other programs to my computer. I've always trusted CNET, but got very suspicious when they started to use a download program instead of just letting me download the program to my computer and run it myself. They already have a secure and tested site, so why make me use their downloader for added security. But I've noticed that most places I use to get programs have gone to this model. Maybe it's just to add this foistware.

Thank you for this column on foistware. I have a new computer with Windows 8 and was adding programs. I read your recommendation for a free program and downloaded it from CNet. I am fairly computer literate and usually catch those nasty check marks. Obviously I missed and all kinds of junk was added. In addition to acclimating to Windows 8 I had an awful time deleting everything. Even Revo Uninstaller missed things and I had to manually go after them. I have vowed never to use Cnet again.

I won't be using cnet downloads website anymore.
Thanks for recommending ninite.com

I noticed CNET's sneakiness some time ago. Now, CNET has changed up it's nefarious tactics to the point that a person is either stuck and must go forward and delete the crapware manually, or if luck is awake, then permitting backing out of the mess that was being created. I have removed CNET from my favorites list because of this, and I have told all my friends, relatives and enemies. If CNET is the only place the program is available, then I don't need the program.

Great article. I will not use CNET if at all possible and will be extra cautious from now on.
Thanks Bob.

I wish President Obama would declare the Ask toolbar a terrorist so it could be sent to Guantanamo.

Thank you for exposing what I have noticed happening recently. CNET used to be my 'trusted' download source - but not any more! I discovered my browser had changed to Bing (which I detest) after downloading from CNET recently. I discovered it myself later, hidden in the steps as you described. You are so right - we now cannot trust anyone to not foist these unwanted items upon us. Downloader BEWARE - study every step and move your cursor down to ensure nothing is hidden at the bottom

When installing downloaded software, if the installer offers a "custom install" option as an alternative to the standard install procedure I always select it. Usually there are one or two foistware nasties with prechecked check boxes in there. These will install silently if you just use the normal install procedure.

I'd be happy with having to choose between two different options 1) I have read the additional offer for XXXXX and decline or 2)I have read the offer for XXXXX and want it also. You have to check one of them before "Next" button is activated. That gives you the add, makes you act on it, and still lets you choose.

Way to go, Bob! This was one of your best articles ever! I have been thinking the very same things, especially about CNET, whom I perceived to be above that sort of thing. Not being especially adept in the digital world, I thought that the problem ws with me. Kudos!

I'd like to recommend a tool. You've mentioned Revo Uninstaller. I use it. Unfortunately it does a middling job of cleaning up left over registry entries. After using Revo I use Registrar Registry Manager which finds everything you ask it to and allows you to clean your registry of the crap left behind by practically ALL software. It easy to choose what to delete and what to keep should you have any doubts. Shame on these lazy programmers.

Mind you the best advice can pass on is to back up your system (I use Acronis) before installing software. It can seem like a chore. Until you mess up your system and have to spend hours cleaning it or reinstalling the OS.

Cnet used to be one of my favourite sites too, but not anymore. I notice their reviews also are a little flakey. It may say recommended at the top, but read the text carefully. Often there's a 'but' in there...

One of your best articles....

I provide free help to several good folks with their computer problems. Let me tell you....people with the genetic disease called "Quick-click" or, as I sometimes refer to it, "Flicker-fingers" are especially prone to being victimized by these scallywags.

I trusted CNET and told all my senior PC Class students that CNET was the place to go to get trusted programs, but no more. What do I tell them now? Downloads.com?

Hey Bob,I just want to thank you for this article.
Very informative.
When I take over the world, you'll be the tech. minister.

Regards,
Al

I share your annoyance with CNET. My annoyance has changed to disdain because CNET has so completely abandoned the ethical, unbiased, user-friendly platform it once embraced. The company is so misleading in their download instruction sequences as to be dangerous to even cautious users.

As to the opinion that "online businesses that provide free advice, reviews and other services have to do something to make money," I agree.

But I look at the flip side of the coin: "Online businesses that provide USEFUL free advice, reviews and other USEFUL services do NOT have to do something unethical to make money."

Organizations that exploit their trusted relationship with me--in order to make money from businesses that provide services that are NOT useful--have lost any chance of doing future business with me, because we now have a relationship of distrust, disdain, and dislike.

CNET, I'm so sorry to have lost you as a trusted friend.

Hopefully, over time, the marketplace will show purveyors of crapware that it's foolish to pay for advertising on a site like CNET on a "per installation" or "per click" basis, if a majority of the installations are soon uninstalled because they're (pardon my language) crap.