Spyware Warrior

aBenG · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: Default toolbar installers

Since coming back online a few weeks back I've noticed there are a lot more 'add toolbar by default' inclusions on installs than there were a couple of years ago.

While it is more of an annoyance than anything else for those of us who habitually customize installs, I've seen some people with browsers that seem to have more toolbars than viewing space. The data miners must love them!

Thought it might be a useful resource for the less computer savvy viewing here if we built up a list of installers that try to push an unwanted toolbar on the end user. Forewarned is forearmed. Wink

I'm sure I've come across more than these few below recently - please add more examples and feel free to comment.

CCleaner: Yahoo toolbar added by default.

Java: Yahoo toolbar added by default on version 6.12 (don't know about earlier versions).

AVG antivirus: AVG 'security' toolbar added by default.
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lurkingatu2 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:19 am Post subject:

here is some with the ask toolbar and watch out foxit pdf reader has a toolbar now

products with the ask toolbar
http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=16253

toolbars how many do you want
http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=17076

Smile

aBenG · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:55 am Post subject:

Thanks Lurkingatu2 - I couldn't remember if Foxit tried to slip one in. Is that the Yahoo bar again? Preferred it when it was a little no-frills standalone app.

So to add to the list (from your link):

Check Point or ZoneLabs: Ask toolbar added by default.
Comodo Firewall Pro: Ask toolbar added by default.
StopZilla: Ask toolbar added by default.
Symantec: Ask toolbar added by default.
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suzi · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

FoxIt bundles Ask Toolbar also. I have read reports that Ask installs even when you uncheck the option. I have not tried it myself.

I like the idea of having a list here. Thanks for that.
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Please do not PM or Email me for personal support. Post in the Forums instead and we will all learn. Smile

aBenG · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am Post subject:

Cheers Suzi.

aBenG · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:23 am Post subject:

BitDefender can also go on the list - no warning or opt-out even:

http://msmvps.com/blogs/donna/archive/2009/04/28/bitdefender-partners-with-ask-com-also.aspx

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1454890

How many more?
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roger_m · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

At least Piraform do put out a CCLeaner installer which comes without any toolbars.

The slim version on this page:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds

aBenG · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:56 am Post subject:

Thanks roger_m, I hadn't come across that.

Good for people to know it's there. Shame it's not the main download though.
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3162 · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Yahoo tries to slip theirs in when you load Messenger
Google does it too (can't recall offhand what I tried to load recently that had it - I was rebuilding my son's Mod-Box)

But yes aBenG, what a great idea for a list.
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aBenG · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:37 am Post subject:

Thanks 3162. I've never had Messenger installed as it seems superfluous to me. (My personal default setting is Luddite).

Also swore off Google programs after getting annoyed by the behaviour of GoogleUpdate a while back. Any chance you (or anyone) could remember which Google progs try to sneak in the toolbar? I'm guessing GoogleEarth?

Anyway the list so far, for anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thread:

Piraform CCleaner: Yahoo toolbar added by default.

Java: Yahoo toolbar added by default on version 6.12 (don't know about earlier versions).

AVG antivirus: AVG 'security' toolbar added by default.

Check Point or ZoneLabs (ZoneAlarm): Ask toolbar added by default.

Comodo Firewall Pro: Ask toolbar added by default.

StopZilla: Ask toolbar added by default.

Symantec (Norton): Ask toolbar added by default.

Foxit PDF reader: Ask toolbar added by default.

BitDefender: Ask toolbar added - no warning or opt-out.

Mesenger: Yahoo toolbar added by default.
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aBenG · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 7:09 am Post subject:

Also:
Spyware Terminator: Crawler toolbar added by default.
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MichaelSF · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject:

Excellent idea. I will bookmark this thread and include my findings over time.

You got the ones that I recall from memory.

Crap Cleaner (Now CCleaner) used to NOT have a spy/bloat/crawlware toolbar. I was disappointed when they went "bad."

I'd be curious how much they offer the freeware developers for the add-on to be included in their programs. Must be a load of cash since IMHO it hurts the developer's reputation.

Must be a sign one has made it, to be offered a toolbar by a company.

Also, I suspect the terms of the deal requires that the toolbar install box will be checked to "install" by default.

I hate when companies or individuals get do big they move to the dark side. I know, I know, one cannot be faulted for wanting to make money for their hard work, I still don't like it. Rolling Eyes

Unless, of course, I'm the one who is gonna be making the money. Very Happy

aBenG · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

ATF-Cleaner is a good alternative to CCleaner. Last I checked it was still clean itself...

http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=25

The lure of the lucre wrecks many reps. Twisted Evil

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lurkingatu2 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject:

Donna at the Calender of Updates has a big list here called

Installers Hall of Shame (Unwanted add-on)

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar&cal_id=1&code=showevent&event_id=44514

Smile

MichaelSF · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:08 pm Post subject:

Another three to add to your list:

Skype 4.1

Adobe Flashplayer 10

Adobe Shockwave Player

________________________________

For Skype:

Default box checked "Include the free Google Toolbar along with Skype." Mad

________________________________

Installing Adobe Flashplayer 10 from their Site:

"Free Google Toolbar (opitional)"

But box is checked to install

________________________________

Shockwave:

"Include the free Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer"
________________________________

aBenG · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks MSF.

Another to add:

BurnAware Free adds Ask toolbar by default.
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MichaelSF · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

aBenG · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

lurkingatu2 wrote

MichaelSF · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject:

BurnAware is CD/DVD copy software. They have paid versions and a free version.

The free version has an install menu dedicated strictly to Ask.com:

Has three check boxes, all checked:

"I accept the license agreement and want to install the free Ask Toolbar"

"Set my homepage to Ask search."

"Set my default search to Ask.com"

Pretty nasty and intrusive IMHO.

Viking · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject:

Isn't it easier to list freeware that does not add something by default? Question

On that list it would be almost only security and anti-spyware programs.

roger_m · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

Java now comes with Microsoft's toolbar for their Bing search engine. I find this rather strange considering a number of years back Microsoft did it's best to ensure Internet Explorer was the most used browser ahead of Netscape Navigiator. This was done in an attempt to kill off Java which is runs on multiple operating systems in favour of Mircosoft's ActiveX which onloy runs on Windoze.

aBenG · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject:

Viking · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:51 pm Post subject: