How to spot and avoid installing potentially unwanted prog

Borg 386

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
It still amazes me how many people doesn't actually take the very few seconds to go through all the crap. Even then though it does make you wonder if you are still really getting rid of everything. All we are seeing is an installation UI we have absolutely no idea what is in those files, what's being directed to where and etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
Unfortunately marketing ethics have hit lowest point ever and so is with internet marketing. I guess people are not used to this newest fad of pushing unwanted staff to unsuspecting public. Small letter text in insurance contracts and packaging boxes is nothing new so most people pay attention to it but feel protected when behind screen and keyboard which is totally false thinking. Sometimes it looks like it's less dangerous to cross a street or railroad tracks than being on internet.
With those PUPs it's getting to be way too much. Not even careful screening messages can save you some times, bloody things sometimes install themselves even when rejected or are not even given an option. Besides that, language they use does not have any logic to it, like "click yes if you don't want it installed" or just make it look like main program is not going to be installed without that add-on. There re also many people that are not very proficient in English and as soon it's written in some mambo-jumbo manner they can not even understand whats in the message.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
With Avast internet security---

screenshot_95.jpg

screenshot_95.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Another tip - stay away from CNET. Used to be my trusted go to site for downloads. A prime example of what CountMike says about marketing ethics:mad:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    AsRock
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Quad Q8200
    Motherboard
    AsRock N7AD SLI
    Memory
    8GB DDRII
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Geforce GTX760 Twin Frozer
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns G 221A
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi_HDP725050GLA360
    Case
    Yes, I have one. Less messy that way
    Mouse
    Squeek
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast
[video=youtube;pPj4p60qVOY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPj4p60qVOY[/video]
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Here's another video that shows a few of the sites that have traps like this.

[video=youtube_share;KsENrJLQznM]http://youtu.be/KsENrJLQznM[/video]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel I-7 860
    Motherboard
    Asus P7B
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 580
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer (Primary), Asus (secondary), Sony TV (third)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston 128GB SSD Windows 8 Boot Drive
    WD Black 1 TB (2 ea)
    WD Red 3 TB
    WD Black 500GB
    Keyboard
    MS 1000
    Mouse
    MS Flip
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FIOS 35/35
    Browser
    IE 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 Defender (MS Security Essentials)
Another tip - stay away from CNET. Used to be my trusted go to site for downloads. A prime example of what CountMike says about marketing ethics:mad:
Yeah, CNET has gotten pretty bad. I've just learned to be very watchful and NEVER use "Express Install".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP h8 envy 1534
    CPU
    AMD FX-6200 (3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    M3970AM-HP (Angelica2) (Gigabyte)
    Memory
    10GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Eyefinity Radeon HD 7570
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaskersky Internet Security 2016
There's another despicable tactic to at least lure us to some sites (guess there's some kind of pay-per-click deal here). Last couple of days I had to search for a driver for a rare kind of printer. Started with Google of course, typing in exact make and model. Now, this was happening before too but this time I got amazed how this behavior has spread. So as I said , after typing in that make and model Google shoved hundreds of pages with results. Started picking and checking each one that had it mentioned in brief description and found that in at least 90% of the cases there was no further reference to any of data I entered but most of them offered to download some kind of driver updater software to find it. Downloaded (against my better judgment) few of those and of course none of them found anything remotely close to a driver I needed but instead either asked for money (even if they did not find what was needed) for "updating" some other drivers I already had of which some were older than mine.
Of course during all that time I had to dodge minefields of PUPs and very obvious malware.
Finally had to give up search, downloaded few versions of driver that were marked as Win 2000, Xp and W7 and after finding that they would not work with my dual boot W7 had to install XP in the VM and one of them worked.
Had to run AV and malware scans after all of that of course but luckily I think I was careful enough not to "catch" anything unwanted. I can just see somebody less experienced filling up his computer to the brim with everything but what was actually needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Started picking and checking each one that had it mentioned in brief description and found that in at least 90% of the cases there was no further reference to any of data I entered but most of them offered to download some kind of driver updater software to find it. Downloaded (against my better judgment) few of those and of course none of them found anything remotely close to a driver I needed but instead either asked for money (even if they did not find what was needed) for "updating" some other drivers I already had of which some were older than mine.

Dude. If your "better judgment" includes submitting to that, you need to work on elevating it to good judgment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Started picking and checking each one that had it mentioned in brief description and found that in at least 90% of the cases there was no further reference to any of data I entered but most of them offered to download some kind of driver updater software to find it. Downloaded (against my better judgment) few of those and of course none of them found anything remotely close to a driver I needed but instead either asked for money (even if they did not find what was needed) for "updating" some other drivers I already had of which some were older than mine.

Dude. If your "better judgment" includes submitting to that, you need to work on elevating it to good judgment.
Let's not dwell into semantics here, it's an expression that includes "good judgment" and a bit over. I didn't mean because of malware but because in my experience those "Driver finders" have pretty bad record of finding the best drivers possible. Besides, I was pretty desperate for a driver for a printer that's actually a giant brick that's worth $1000 +. Desperate measures for desperate times., eh ?
Anyway, that was not my point. Forgot to mention myriad of "Safe downloaders" for their software just to download one file. Also large , green "Download Now Free" boxes that would download something totally unrelated but that I have run into long time now.
Another point is that somebody like me being very active on internet since 1995, who downloaded terabytes and terabytes of stuff since and seen practically everything on net, had so hard time navigating those minefields, can just imagine somebody just starting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
It's not semantics. The idea of running "driver finder" software doesn't even rise to the level of conscious thought. It's rejected at the subconscious level, and the site that showed up in the google search is permabanned with Google Hit Hider.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
I have been using Unchecky, a reliable application that aims to protect your computer against third-party components often offered during software installations...

If you are in the habit of testing and installing applications on a regular basis, you probably know by now that one of the most common methods used by developers to try and generate revenue is to integrate various kinds of offers within their installers.

At this point, it is totally up to you to pay attention and to decline whatever offers you do not want, lest you end up with a new toolbar within your browsers or a changed search engine. Or you can use Unchecky, which can automate declining of offers for you.

Unchecky Free Download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus CM5675
    CPU
    IntelCore i5 3.20Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus CM5675
    Memory
    6.0Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD integtrated
    Sound Card
    SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 24'
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1080
    Hard Drives
    Segate 1tb
    Intel 120Gb SSD
    Internet Speed
    100mb down /10mb up
It's not semantics. The idea of running "driver finder" software doesn't even rise to the level of conscious thought. It's rejected at the subconscious level, and the site that showed up in the google search is permabanned with Google Hit Hider.
Excuse me but not all of them are bad in finding driver updates, I had pretty good experience with some like "Slim Drivers" and caught just few mistakes with it (for couple of ears anyway). When servicing some computers in a hurry, it's a good tool for finding drivers without spending hours looking for them. Also backs up drivers it replaces so if it's wrong or just want to reverse them it can be done easily. I know it's better to look up drivers on manufacturer's sites but not all of them keep all the drivers for obsolete parts on file but because "once an internet, always on internet" is still true good driver finders can find them easier than chasing them all over the place. I also have a HDD dedicated to keeping all the drivers I ever downloaded for me and everybody else. Not everybody has to deal with new computers only. I had to work with some really ancient (by today's standards) machines, some even before internet but in BBS era. Still have original diskettes for DOS, Win 3.xx, and W95, all stored as Iso. I'm a software "pack-rat", so sue me ha ha. Did I mention Atari 1020 and C20 computers I keep and use now and than, too bad my Timex Sinclair ZX died on me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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