Emsisoft: ALL free AVs (except BD Free) try to install PUPs on your PC

Why do you lie? from where it comes that 9/10 do this or that? it's based on facts, actual data or just your imagination?

The worst case for a few of the av's in the report is that they come with ask toolbar for which the only problem is that it collects anonymous data. So I prefer having this alternative for the users rather than leaving them without nothing without protection and forcing them to pay for an AV like EMSISOFT does, so what about the ethics now? $$$ are these the ethics that your friends understand?

And honestly looking at this I don't thing they are worse than google, yahoo, bing, or any other search engine.
http://help.ask.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=149

A lot of people in poor and not that poor countries can't even think about paying 20/50€ per year

So we should say thanks to all these vendors that offers a fully functional AV for FREE and on top of that they don't force you to install anything that you don't want. Sadly the EMSISOFT ethics doesn't allow them to do that, although I think is more about money rather than ethics.

 

That is a legitimate point. To be quite honest, I don't believe that there is an easy answer either. In my opinion, software vendors likely try to find that fine line to balance between profiting from free software and trying their best to not disturb the majority of their user base. And of course since everyone's opinion may vary even slightly, that fine line to balance between would also vary from vendor to vendor.

It is also important to note that the majority of free AV software spread across such wide user bases do provide valuable information back to AV companies by default, where those virus labs receive data on new emerging malware, behavioural data, detailed statistics and much more. That alone, if set up properly, can save AV vendors a significant amount of time, money, research, and man hours. So that is one area that the majority of vendors already benefit from their free user base. Word of mouth as well.

 

Developers and companies that offer free version of products have different options at their disposal to monetize their work.

From pro and business editions over donations to third-party offers. Third-party offers in this context means integration of other programs or services in the installer to earn revenue whenever users install those offers.....http://www.ghacks.net/2015/01/19/th...utions-ship-with-potentially-unwanted-offers/

 

Maybe but what about those nerdy,weedy,stupid glasses ? Huh, gotcha there Frank.

Regards Eck

 

There are alternatives without PUPs. So all is fine.

and:

Arent't $$$ $$$ the reason behind the default only opt-out selection of all those partner PUPs from the mentioned vendors?

 

At the moment of this writing, no.
Never has, never will.

 

LOL... yes indeed, I cannot argue that.

The Eck-meister is correct as usual.

 

It would be helpful if there were a list of products like Webroot that are Friends of PUPs (FOP).

I think most of us here would avoid those products.

Or does a list or something like that exist?

Soon I will uninstall one of the AVs in my home to try another one. That would factor large in selecting the next one to try.

 

1. Those PUPs are harmless, though possibly annoying, it is PUP not malware, not to mention, that they mostly affect only IE.
2. People, who install software without reading are already infested with even worse PUPs, besides the same free AV can clean it.
3. People would like everything for free, well it ain't. If all it takes to have a free AV, is to uncheck a few PUPs, then it is definitely worth it.

P.S.: Bitdefender Free is not really a great example, it requires to create an account for users to use it or login via FB, that is not just PUP, that is a privacy issue.

 

All free internet models are based on advertising or data mining or acquiring usage rights of the user data. Qihoo is generating 2/3 of its income from advertising.

 

Bitdefender Free is a great example for unexpected troubles.

I guess we will get a free Emsisoft with realtime protection soon, thank you Emsi.

 

Sorry Frank but I felt that I just had to mention it, didn`t want it becoming an elephant in the room.

With regard to PUPS it`s perfectly reasonable for free products to generate some extra income for the companies concerned on the other hand it`s more the sneaky,backdoor,underhand way they do it that is somewhat immoral imo.

New users aren`t going to hit the "custom" install button they`ll go for the "recommended" and end up with a lot of resource hogging crapware.

Maybe they could change the buttons around or make it more clear about what`s going to be installed ?

Just a thought.

Regards Eck

 

Interesting topic. And, it's good to see an AV at least address it.

I wish the AVs who are offering free, but not really free, software would just be upfront about its cost. That might scare away some potential users but might improve AV reputation. Clearly, by the number of downloads posted earlier, they're satisfying (rationally or not) a bunch of users.

In the actual blog post : http://blog.emsisoft.com/2015/01/17/has-the-antivirus-industry-gone-mad/

I found this troubling :

Of course they're enabling (for some, actually gaining value for themselves) PUP distributors. Can't blame them? Why not. Other than a small, net demographic for whom administrative and/or custodial oversight is necessary, people are perfectly capable of thinking before clicking. People should be held accountable for their actions. That's part of the learning process.

 

I'll stick with free antiviruses. I don't see any particular need to pay for an antivirus these days when there are so many excellent free antiviruses. Granted, I'm using a 365 day trial of AVG Internet Security, but I have all the extra features like firewall and web protection turned off which I can only presume makes it closer in function to AVG's free antivirus.

 

Proproganda man.

 

Comments:

Krusty13 Guru
Norton Fighter 25

Reg: 31-May-2011
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What's your point?

 

You can't find it? It's so obvious........

 

I use Norton and help on their forum but if Symantec / Norton stuff up I'm among the first to get on their case, so again, what is your point?

FWIW, I am just a user of Norton products and am not employed by them.

 

How does 360TS make money from the startup page?

 

Which is available to their Chinese users, who do more services available to them than international users.

You are confusing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLA_Unit_61398 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLA_Unit_61486 with Qihoo. Qihoo has nothing to do with datamining, stealing user data or otherwise.
Uploading unknown exe files for analysis is not, yet, globally defines as datamining.

 

You must have seen to many episodes of the mentalist, or you are confusing me with Kees1958

 

@Kees1958 Yeh, thanks for that. Now I have to start at episode 1, season 1 and wade through an average of 23 episodes per season to reach the current season 7 episode 7. Golly, gee... I'll check in again with everyone by the end of the 2nd quarter of this year... not withstanding...

 

although I hate toolbars but if you consider from company point of view they cant provide anything for free, right ?
Think from business perspective.

Having said that I hate toolbars and PUP

What I think would be appropriate would be to clearly display what AV is installing with big banners rather than silently installing it installation. Even pro users miss unchecking those

 

Oh, very good. I didn't know that.

I have some SEP 12.1.5 questions for you.

But let's take it to the Symantec thread.

Speaking of which, we need a new Official Symantec Thread. The old thread is a mess.

Mayahana single-handedly turned Norton from a Wilders punching bag into a Wilders respected capability.

So he should start The Official Thread.