Cnet Download.com Installer

[x942]

Virus Total shows that (currently) 10 AV vendors out of 39 identifies the package as containing malware; this number is sure to grow as more detect it.

Just like I said! I can't believe CNET denied it and posted about how they would never allow that into their bundle, yet more and more people are confirming it is MALWARE.

I say we all boycott CNET from now on. This is insane. CNET = fail.

EDIT: Have now pulled all of my software from them. Cease and Desist orders work well.

[Baserk]

There are easier ways to shut down a company.
No idea why CNET chooses such a bizarre way of downsizing Download.com.

[SweX]

Originally Posted by x942

I say we all boycott CNET from now on. This is insane. CNET = fail.

Amen

FYI see the image in this post from the Hitman Pro thread:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showp...postcount=3752

That user trust ESET more than C-Net wich is good of course

[Dermot7]

"Download.com "apologises" for bundling" : http://www.h-online.com/security/new...g-1392501.html

In a statement, Sean Murphy, the Vice President and General Manager of Download.com, says that the company's policy was not to bundle open source software with the installer it used for other software. The author of the Nmap network scanning software, Gordon "Fyodor" Lyon, had complained that Download.com – a CNET company and part of CBS Interactive – had repackaged the open source software with an installer which, if the user accepted it, installed one of a number of toolbars which changed the user's browser home page and default search engine.

[hawki]

Cnet Apologizes for Nmap Adware Bundling

Officials at Cnet's Download.com site have issued a statement apologizing for bundling the popular open source Nmap security audit application with adware that changed users' search engine and home page to Microsoft properties.

In its apology, Cnet said that the situation was the result of an oversight.

"The bundling of this software was a mistake on our part and we apologize to the user and developer communities for the unrest it caused. In addition to immediately taking Nmap out of the download manager, we reviewed all open source files in our catalog to ensure none are being bundled. It is a Download.com policy not to bundle open source software and we will continue to take pains to ensure this does not happen again," Sean Murphy wrote in the statement.

https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/c...undling-120811

[wade7575]

You and the whole CNET Team should be Ashamed of yourselves,I just the stupid Babylontoolbar from your website I download 3 thing's from your website and then bang once there installed I can not do google search's without being redirected to another website.Thanks alot Cnet you guys Rock and are most certainly the best.Oh yes and that was a great try putting up that stupid uninstaller on your website that scans my PC and when it's done want's 39.99 to remove it it seems ike to me you guys a Cnet and the guy's that make that stupid Babylon toolbar have a really scam going on how much is Cnet's cut everytime someone buys that stupid uninstaller.

Originally Posted by CNET Downloads

Hi,

My name is Catherine Hwang on the CNET Download.com team and wanted to get in touch with you all to address this issue regarding the CNET Download.com Installer.

The all-new CNET Download.com Installer is indeed a new feature we rolled out in the recent weeks, but it does not force a toolbar on any users. Instead, the users will encounter a single offer for an additional 3rd-party software during the download process, which is clearly disclosed and provides the option to accept or decline the offer before proceeding with the download. In addition, we only show offers for software that is approved for listing on CNET Download.com.

For more information, please visit our FAQ on Upload.com - http://cnet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2065 and please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. We welcome your feedback to make this a better experience for users and developers alike.

Thanks,
Catherine
Senior Partner Manager
CNET Download.com

[Dermot7]

Moonchild (Pale Moon dev) has an interesting take on CNET's new SpotInstall system:

it seems they are now making the "download wrapper" and "opt-in revenue sharing" kind of deal, probably after the flak they received about bundling things with every piece of software by default. It doesn't make the bundling, or "offers" as they call it, any better, of course, but at least they are being a bit more upfront about it, and actually willing to share some (probably a very small percentage) of what they are paid by piggybacking software vendors.

http://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic....2ff186bd117343

[Babylon LTD]

Dear Users:

Babylon Offers a full service for all its products and features valid from the Babylon Store and on the world wide web
You can gain a full support and assistance on how to remove Babylon from your computer by the following ways :


Phone-18668086361 (US)
Email: Support@babylon.com
Website for Chat and Q& A : http://support.babylon.com/

Babylon holds more than 150 Million Clients worldwide, with reputation for 15 Years, Babylon has no means to destroy that reputation and therefor offers help and assistance for anyone who seeks for,
in order To make sure the Software will work or be removed if the client requires it for

Feel free to contact us
Thank you in Advanced


Babylon

I have no problem with this business practice by CNET as long as the third-party offerings:
- aren't obligatory;
- don't increase the original download size by a sizable margin (unless they are explicitly accepted);
- can be easily dismissed.

Thanks from a user who understands the unnoble but essential need of profiting.