I was decrapifying a friend’s new netbook last night and was quite disappointed when I installed a new download of Avast 5 free. One used to have to “Opt in” to the Chrome browser install, now you must “Opt out” just like the rest.
What’s up with that? I’ve had to clean up too machines with unwanted toobars, etc. You get the picture. Very poor practice for a security company.
Already mentioned in another topic and you aren’t alone in the though any addition should be by default you have to opt-in. I don’t know when this changed but it used to be you had to opt-in if you wanted it.
Users would still have a chance to change that so it isn’t totally unchangeable and if they either didn’t notice or failed to change it, chrome doesn’t come in the avast installation, it would have to be downloaded, so they would presumably have another opportunity to decline it.
You’re complaining about free software?
Yeah I could fully understan complaining about paid software that does that. What I dont like is when you buy WinZip or Roxio, the want you to install some third party app or toolbar. At least its not like Paid AVG that advertises and wants you to buy AVG clean up program
I never understand ppl complaining about this. Reading stupid EULA is pointless (i never do it, i don’t have time reading 50 pages of pointless crap that could be compressed into 10 lines of text), but reading basic things that installers display on screen is a must. But most of ppl still keep on hitting Next like crazy without reading anything. It takes maybe 5 seconds longer if you read things even briefly.
Besides, Chrome is far from any annoying toolbar, plus, removing it in case if you’ve installed it by mistake is easy as well.
As far as I know, Google is a per-user install as well. Even if it is installed, it doesn’t get installed for all users.
If you have to save the Chrome file or download it or any other file for that matter then just use FF that comes with Download Mgr built in.
If you set it in the FF options to “Always Ask” then you just decline the download when the Download Mgr pops up before the download is actually begun. This works if you forget to opt out of a download or if you voluntarily choose to download a file and change your mind before it actually begins to download.
I don’t know if a feature similar to “Download Mgr” exists in other browsers, but my guess is that it probably does. If it is not you shouldn’t use that browser.
If you are using W7 set the UAC to highest level.
Between FF and W7 you shouldn’t get files downloading that you don’t want downloaded to install or save.
Also set the AIS File System Shield to Scan Files when Executing and scan when Opening. It will catch infected files before they have a chance to be opened after they are downloaded whether intentionally or by mistake. Make sure to set the Actions option in File System Shield to either Delete or Move to Virus Chest.
Hope I had the AIS stuff correct. 
I have tried dozens of free software apps this year and all of them had a 3rd party download with them , in EVERY case it was OPT OUT, not opt in .
Ridiculous!
You can simply drag the slider up or down, depending on how often you want to be alerted:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-user-account-control-uac-the-easy-way-on-windows-vista
Opt in is much better than opt out. Bad movement (probably forced by an agreement with Google).
Suit yourself but I would rather be extra caution
New Rootkit exploits 64-bit version of Windows 7According to this:x64 TDL3 rootkit - follow up having UAC set to “Always Notify” will catch it.
Of course, you have to make sure not to click “Yes” when UAC asks to let it run…
http://www.sevenforums.com/news/125146-new-rootkit-exploits-64-bit-version-windows-7-a.html
To paraphrase a common expression:
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it think
You can’t even figure out how to update your PROFILE 