Something alarming which seems to be more and more commonplace are software installers which attempt to install other software. For example, suppose you are installing “ABC”. During the installation wizard, there is an option (turned on by default) to install “XYZ browser toolbar”. Unless you notice this and uncheck, this option, you now have some garbage you didn’t want.
A few installers I have seen which attempt to install other software:
- Apple products (iTunes, Safari and Quicktime all try to install each other)
- Windows Update (Live Essentials)
- Java (OpenOffice, Yahoo Toolbar)
- Winamp (Winamp Remote, Trial Music downloaders)
To avoid this, be careful when you install software and do not just click next through the screens as you don’t know what other garbage is embedded in the installer.
Jason Faulkner is the man who brings you our daily tips. He is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jason,
I couldn’t agree more. What troubles me most is this has begun to show up while installing what I had always considered to be ’safe’, ad-free software from ‘reliable’ sources. Since I can no longer recommend them to friends and customers without warning them about the unexpected install check boxes, I simply don’t recommend them at all.
Another you forget to mention is that adobe shockwave installer tries to install a cut down version of norton antivirus. so yeah it always pays to read screens before clicking.
Our old friend ccleaner wants you to have Yahoo toolbar.
Along these same lines, many programs will want you to install a “Quick Launch” icon. Installing too many of these things will seriously degrade the performance of the computer, especially on low powered systems. Causes long boot times also. Do you really need Adobe Acrobat to be able to open in 3 seconds instead of 5?
Add Malwarebytes and some Adobe products to the list too.
At least in most cases you can choose not to install the additional toolbar unlike the past when it was installed silently without your permission.
iTunes is truly horrihble for wanting to install a million other things. I don’t have an iPod but get the iPod Manager installed anyway (there is no way to not install it but you can uninstall it afterwards without destroying iTunes or your computer) but I should have the option not to install in the first place. Another program, I can’t remember which now, wanted to install the “Ask” toolbar and I unchecked it, yet it still installed anyway and I had to then remove it from my system…bah!
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