Do NOT Use CNet / Download.com - Spyware !

[B]

Yeah, it was a "mistake"!

And they're still bundling it with thousands of other free and open source programs. Fyodor's maintaining a page on the issue at http://insecure.org/news/download-com-fiasco.html

There's no mistaking it -- they are committed to being evil now. This thread advisory applies now more than ever.

A comment in the latest followup Slashdot thread reports CNet's / CBS's / Download.com's communications with developers, where they comment on the success of the adware bundling program and their offer to "revenue share" with (pay off) original developers...

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/12/08/ ... dware-mess

New CBS CNet Motto: "Come On In Everybody! Spyware is Profitable!"

Edward R. Murrow and Walter Kronkite are spinning very rapidly about now.

[supercoe]

I wonder how long it will be before they try to pay us off keep quiet about it.

[Rat]

I've always liked FileHippo, because not only do they give easily accessible direct downloads, but they generally have a nice info page and a complete downloadable history list of all releases...

[walter]

Maybe you (ultavnc) should drop the Fort Knox attitude in your donwload-section.
Everything seems to be a pain, from registering to this forum: "The password does not contain the required characters." :-S
to donwloading: "Download require that javascript is enabled ! Iexplorer9 in secure mode refuse to follow links, no download ! " aarchh!!
to "Unauthorized access to downloads!" and "You tried to start a download from a not authorised resource or your browser do not send a referrer! If you deactivate the referrer in your browser please activate it in your browser configuration to download the file!"

realy... Do I need backtrack or something to get a hold of your software? Jeeez

Oh.. and off-course "You have provided an invalid answer to the question." when trying to post my ranting here. I guess spam isn't an issue over here. rofl.

[Oliver]

Hello walter,

I'll try to answer your points - those that concern me anyway.

Maybe you (ultavnc) should drop the Fort Knox attitude in your donwload-section.
Everything seems to be a pain, from registering to this forum: "The password does not contain the required characters." :-S

The forum is hosted and maintained by me, while the website is maintained and hosted by the developers of UltraVNC.

to donwloading: "Download require that javascript is enabled ! Iexplorer9 in secure mode refuse to follow links, no download ! " aarchh!!
to "Unauthorized access to downloads!" and "You tried to start a download from a not authorised resource or your browser do not send a referrer! If you deactivate the referrer in your browser please activate it in your browser configuration to download the file!"

Admittedly that would annoy me as well. Personally I prefer the SF.net release system over any homebrew methods. Unfortunately that hasn't been updated for ages.

Oh.. and off-course "You have provided an invalid answer to the question." when trying to post my ranting here. I guess spam isn't an issue over here. rofl.

Unfortunately it often is. And even though it may annoy you, you might want to try and imagine that some nutjobs are always trying to post links to their merchandise into this forum that shows - btw for the past eight years - no ads and has been hosted free of charge for the benefit of the UVNC community.

We have (and had) a number of moderators that contribute(d) their time to both answer users and sort out those spammers that manage to get through our filters anyway. So please as annoying as such measures may be for you at the moment, consider that you don't pay for it and that a number of people have spent their time (and sometimes money) on putting up something that you can use free of charge. Thanks.

[supercoe]

As long as I never have to get a downloader executable that imposes other software while I try to acquire UltraVNC I'm ok with how it works.

[georgew]

I know this has already been covered in this thread, but I feel like venting a bit, so I'm going to kick the dead horse a bit...

I have noticed a trend on many of the download sites... There are dozens of different tricks to get you to install everything from toolbars, to download "managers". And that wouldn't be a problem, except they trick you into thinking you are downloading the software you are after, and instead you download something else that you must then figure out how to undo. Often times these things also redirect your search engines, and do other things to attempt to make extra money off of you long after you leave their site.

That really sucks!

I understand that people need to make money to keep providing a service, and places like Cnet and Download.com deserve to make a profit... But it has gotten to the point that once I realize that I'm on a bait and switch site, I go elsewhere.

But when I downloaded uVNC, I found not one but TWO fake download buttons trying to get me to install the Zoom downloader and the Extrim downloader, when I tried again it was PDFcreater they were trying to get me to install. I had to double check to see that I wasn't on some third party spyware site... But no, I was on uvnc.com, the site I was told to go to to get uVNC... I'm disappointed! I had to carefully hunt for the right download link, and read every word before I clicked the download button.

I suppose that if the bait and switch people get us to be careful and read everything before clicking on anything, they will have performed a public service... But it is a sad day when legitimate companies emulate spyware vendors to get you to generate more revenue for them.

Do we all need 40 toolbars, and 18 download managers installed on our browsers?


Bleah!

[techie]

I realize this is an old thread, but the "download.com installer" issue still exists...

Attn: Download.com's Mr Butler

Why do you not honor your 'direct download link' ?? Your dual download option ( if the direct one worked ) would satisfy your stated goals for less experienced users, as well as providing the direct access us long time experienced users.
Big green button for those willing / wanting to use the installer... 'Direct Download Link' for the rest if us.
That would be a win-win situation... correct?

[Oliver]

Why do you not honor your 'direct download link' ?? Your dual download option ( if the direct one worked ) would satisfy your stated goals for less experienced users, as well as providing the direct access us long time experienced users.

Presumably because there is money in it