Popular Download.com site recently started offering CNET Download.com installer for users, it’s a tiny sub installer or Download Manager download files and installs onto users Computer when they try to download files from Download.com. The files will be downloaded and installed online with their installer and CNET says their installer adds extra layer of security and reliability to CNET Downloads.
After the download is completed, you can launch the software’s installer immediately by clicking “install now” button. CNET Installer doesn’t install it self onto users computers or it doesn’t leave behind any additional components either.
CNET Installer promotes third party software with their tool
But annoying thing is CNET installer shows software recommendations and special offers for CNET users while file is downloading with their downloader. Direct link for file download is only provided for registered CNET users to prevent abuse on the service they provide as noted by CNET in their blog post.
However their installer shows only single third-party software offer during the file download, which you can decline or accept and then continue to file download. So only registered users in Download.com can able to login and download files directly onto their Computers without the need of their installer.
Adobe and AVG started offering download managers to download their products since some time for now, is it fair for CNET to offer download manager for Download.com files by showing promotional offers and offering online installations for users?.
CNET more than promotes extra software. I had three pieces of software installed on my system by CNET whilst getting a simple driver, without clicking one thing aside from”DOWNLOAD” and taking one “opt out”. I am very careful with CNET (and everything too as SOFTPEDIA is no better). What I got was DEALPLY, MY PC BACKUP and the ASK toolbar (I sad no to the other toolbar) – and that one toolbar the only choice I was given. I saw a few very rapid things go across the CNET download manger window which looked like banner ads. It turns out they were telling me what extra software they were foisting on me.
I never got o say “no” to any of them and there were no other links or buttons available to click – it did it all automatically. Two clicks (clicking “download” and opting out of something) got me a zip files of drivers, and 3 extra pieces of software which were automatically installed on my PC .
I tried using several methods to get rid of ASK, but “uninstall” no longer works, and neither does deleting the ASK “Program Files” directory,0or removing the registry entries that have references to it. OI used several pieces of anti-malware software to try and get rid of it, and although each anti-malware software application “claimed” to have killed the “Ask toolbar” the only one that DID was MALWAREBYTES antimalware, which I had to get from a site other than that of the manufacturer because MALWAREBYTES hosts their official free download on the CNET store!They link to CNET!
I wasn’t about to get yet MORE unwanted software that I have no choice about installing. This time it really was all automatic. I did not even get any deceptive install/download screens for those other applications, which I had to very cautiously “DECLINE”
I also got the “zero access root kit” from CNET.