[SeniorTech] SeniorTech Tip: Foistware warning
- From: "Jerry Taylor" <jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'SeniorTech Listserv'" <seniortech@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 17:19:09 -0400
DOWNLOAD ALERT: Foistware Warning
I was recently asked: "My browser is filling up with unwanted toolbars, and
I can no longer search with Google My search tool has been changed to "Ask."
I have anti-virus protection, but these things still creep in somehow, and I
don't recall ever asking for them. Where do they come from, and how can I
avoid this problem?"
What is Foistware?
Foistware is a term used for software that's "foisted" on you, typically
malware, but it can range from marginally useful, to annoying, to malicious.
Most often, foistware takes the form of browser toolbars (which can clutter
up your screen), but it can also take over your browser's homepage and
preferred search engines. Some foistware pops up when you visit online
shopping sites, and tries to steer you to certain vendors or offers.
Foistware almost always tags along when you download a program that you do
want. Through various deceptive practices, the download process may try to
add extra, unwanted software to your installation package. Usually it takes
the form of a checkbox that's already selected, and if you just click NEXT
or CONTINUE without reading carefully, you'll end up with this extra
software clutter.
CNET Download.com Foistware
Sometimes confusing buttons, self-serving "recommendations" or items buried
in the terms of service play a role. In other cases, a tag-along foistware
product will be installed with NO prompt or warning. But thankfully, those
are rare.
The purveyors of these pollutants will say that it's your fault for not
paying attention, and to a certain point, they're right. If you're very
careful to uncheck all those boxes, read every word on each segment of the
download/install dialogs, and scan the legalese for gotchas, you can avoid
almost all of these foistware nuisances.
But many users have become accustomed to clicking an endless series of Next,
Next, Next to get through a software installation. Nobody wants to read
those long, boring Terms of Service and the accompanying legal blah, blah,
blah that can make your eyes glaze over. And plenty of users are not
technically savvy enough to understand that a "recommended" toolbar, add-on
or plugin is Adobe / McAfee Foistwarenot in their best interests.
You might think this problem would show up mostly in the dark corners of the
<http://askbobrankin.com/download_alert_foistware_warning.html> Web. But the
most egregious offenders are some of the most trusted and popular names in
Internet software. If you try to download or update your Adobe Reader or
Flash Player, Skype, you'll see examples of what I mean. Adobe tries to push
the <http://askbobrankin.com/download_alert_foistware_warning.html> McAfee
Security Scan, which you probably don't need.
Many programs try to push the useless "Ask.com" toolbar. See the images on
this page for examples of what to look out for.
Foxit Reader / Ask ToolbarThe Ask Toolbar is especially loathsome, because
it has a delayed installer. You'll download your software and everything
appears to be fine. No annoying popups or toolbars in your
<http://askbobrankin.com/download_alert_foistware_warning.html> browser,
great. But after lurking for ten minutes, the Ask Toolbar installer springs
to life and does its dirty work. Later, you open your browser, and see the
damage. And hopefully, you'll chalk it up to a lapse in your anti-virus
program, instead of blaming the company that foisted it on you.
Skype / Bing foistwareHope and Change?
There are a few bright spots in the foistware arena. The ever-popular Skype
used to push unwanted software extras, but now they just want to mess with
your browser settings by foisting Bing and MSN on you. More good news comes
from Oracle and their ubiquitous Java. Until very recently, downloads for
Java or Java security updates would present you with a pre-checked offer to
install the Ask Toolbar.
Java / Ask ToolbarAnd with the recent Java security scares, most people just
wanted to get the updates and get on with it. I imagine that several million
people got the Ask Toolbar in this manner, during last week's Java security
panic. But as of last Friday, my tests indicate that Oracle has removed the
offer to bundle Ask with Java downloads. So good for them. (Ugh, it's back.
I'm putting Java on the Naughty List again.)
The bottom line? Instead of just mindlessly clicking on "Next, Next, Next
during the installation of any program, look around for tiny checkboxes that
are designed to "Install this toolbar" or "Install that toolbar" and UNCHECK
those boxes to prevent this "foistware" from being installed on your
computer.
Jerry Taylor
SeniorTech
http://www.seniortech.us <http://www.seniortech.us/>
Personalized In-Home Computer Lessons
for Senior Citizens and Retirees
315-986-9977
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