Yes, Every Freeware Download Site is Serving Crapware (Here’s the Proof)

[bananas]

http://www.howtogeek.com/207692/yes-every-freeware-download-site-is-serving-crapware-heres-the-proof/

Yes, Every Freeware Download Site is Serving Crapware (Here’s the Proof)
Lowell Heddings, Published 01/21/15

When we wrote about what happens when you install the top ten apps from CNET Downloads, about half of the comments were from people saying, “Well you should download from a trusted source.” The only problem is that there isn’t a freeware download site that is free of crapware or adware. And here’s the result of our investigation to prove it.

We were unable to find a single freeware download site that isn’t listing bundleware awfulness, and while a few of them attempt to do the right thing and alert you when something is bundled, it’s just not good enough. Nobody reads the fine print, just like nobody reads the installers when they are clicking through.

And some of these installers are extremely tricky. They move the buttons around. They change the text or, in some cases, they make it look exactly like a terms and conditions screen. They hijack browsers, insert ads, and they even use hidden services with deep dark API functions. The latest trend is pushing lookalike copies of Google Chrome with adware bundled directly into them.

<snip>

We had more geeks write in defending MajorGeeks as a trusted source than any other site, so we were really hoping that they would be the one site that doesn’t allow any bundled crapware. Sadly, that’s not the case. The first thing we downloaded — some stupid screensaver — included four pieces of really terrible crapware, including two that had adware like ShopperPro and BoBrowser that just take over your system.

<snip>

One of the most common responses to our article was that people should just download from the official site. And as everybody knows, you use Google to find anything.

Ohhh… that’s unfortunate.



Sadly, even on Google all the top results for most open source and freeware are just ads for really terrible sites that are bundling crapware, adware, and malware on top of the installer.

Most geeks will know that they shouldn’t click on the ads, but obviously enough people are clicking those ads for them to be able to afford to pay the high per-click prices for Google AdWords.

So if you absolutely must download some stupid freeware from somewhere, you may as well punch yourself in the face. And then either find the real site (ignoring the ads) or use Ninite or test it out in a virtual machine first. Or consider just buying software from a programmer that deserves the money. Or maybe switch to OS X or Linux.

Because like we told you last time, when the product is free the real product is YOU.

[gvstn]

1. I've been a member of Majorgeeks forums for years.

I haven't posted much at Mg in the last year or so because I don't like the attitude of one of the owners, MajorAttitude. But he does give you warning in his username that he is a jerk. He really doesn't hide anything.

They provide a service of giving downloads to reliable, tested programs. Not all are great and many are not free. You just have to read the terms of what you are downloading. Some are paid, some are shareware and some are free. Many free programs bundle some type of adware in their installers to gain a little revenue. Majorgeeks doesn't add any extra adware to these installers like CNET does. I still think they are reliable. They do provide a warning in red text, if they have found any bundleware in an installer provided by the developer. It is meant as a warning to read every screen you see while installing the program to avoid installing something you don't want. I think this is the best any site can do, other than ninite that tries to automatically uncheck these added extra options for you, but that only works until the next tweak by the software developers.

I still trust MG as to not adding anything extra and applaud them for giving a warning about bundled software. READ every screen when you install any program and look for boxes to "untick" that might be installing additional programs that you don't want or changing your homepage in your browser. It works 95% of the time. Those other times I use System Restore to undo the changes that a new program might have made that I do not want. (It has happened to me a few times even thought I am careful.)

I appreciate the warning in the OP!

[BootinUp]

2. I find it takes a pretty knowledgeable geek to avoid these

You have to check that they don't change your browser settings, or replace your addins, extensions. Some days I am just too tired to bother.

[OregonBlue]

3. Agreed. Like with flash player where you have to uncheck the box BEFORE you start a download or

you get McAffee security (which I hate) bloatware. You really need to be careful about clicking yes and check every box before continuing. I use Major Geeks and CNET. I did get some fairly harmless adware off of Major Geeks a while ago but at least it was simple to remove. The adware folks get better and sneakier all the time.

[douglas9]

6. Unchecky

Some insurance.....Has worked for me so far....

http://unchecky.com/

[hunter]

4. There's none of that on Debian...

In my book Microsoft, Apple, Android, Adobe... they are all crapware to begin with, so further crapware pollution, especially on "free" sites, is not unexpected.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. All hail the Invisible Hand of the Free Market !

Bow before its awesomeness ! You will be assimilated, and you will like it !