Hello, I am just wondering, especially after learning about Cnet’s use of wrappers, and the fact that AVAST! has a closed tech forum on the subject, Why here at AVAST does the down load button of the free version link to the not only Cnet, (which I like and use), but Cnet’s wrapped version ?
Button on the page, http://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download
And if like me, delete cookies constantly, tell it to not stay logged in, and log out properly and or you’re not logged in you get the file setup_av_free_cnet.exe, and ofcourse they don’t tell you anywhere about this wrapper or toolbar etc, (except during install if you look you uncheck what ever it is what ever they have offered / wrapped. or how to or why to log in to get the other version, before during or after.
Is this a way for AVAST to accumulate downloads at cnet ? And I believe I read at CNET the publishers can ask/tell “opt-out” CNET not to wrap the program.
I have a thread there, you can find it…the answer to one question was/is.
“Is Cnet using a wrapper ? - Yes, but not on all software. The Download.com team decides which software to offer via the installer and software developers themselves can ‘opt-out’ of Download.com using the installer for their files.”
Although I have used CNET AND AVAST, for some years now, 8 or 10, and not harmful supposedly, and some may find it useful/promotional, I find this annoying, and trickery.
The very sad relationship between CNET and freeware.
Annoying, trickery, not clear for the user, distributing ads and malware.
The only thing I can read in internet is that advanced users are going out of CNET very quickly.
I don’t know how far they go as far as, malware, but it is safe adware, offering you a toolbar or maybe The Cnet software Tracker program and things like this, which you can usually uncheck or opt-out of, I have been using Cnet and download.com for years, as a member, never seen or heard of a problem before this, and it’s kind of like I have been betrayed. Kept out of the loop.
I am guessing a little, but since I asked at CNET first and a Moderator replied, with the information above, I believe, you can get setup_av_free_cnet.exe which is wrapped with whatever, when you are not logged in, and if you are logged in you can get setup_av_free.exe, not wrapped. ,Maybe either way you get setup_av_free_cnet.exe and “if” Cnet decides to put in a wrapper, that is what you get.
Which leads to one of my questions above, Is this a way for Avast to accumulate and or track or keep track of downloads at Cnet ? I believe both files are the exact same file size from here and Cnet, if that makes a difference.
If you get the wrapper, it will be something like “cbs interactive installer” if I remember correctly. Its not stealth or anything, its got its own little UI that would clearly not be Avast! (or any other product it might be bundled with) related. The C-net Avast! setup is a stub installer, whereas the normal Avast! setup is bigger.
I think I seen them offer something like that before, but I never even get asked anymore. And ofcourse if I were to, I/You just say no. And it’s really that simple. Just like installing say Firefox and they ask if you want the google toolbar and such…
