I have a Windows 7 system, single user, home computer. When I booted up yesterday, I was greeted by a Skype welcome screen. I had not downloaded this software and did not install it. I thought the Avast firewall would at least notify me if a website was attempting an unauthorized installation.
I can recall this eventuality being covered in software I used a long time ago, but I don’t remember what it was. How can I prevent this from happening? While the Skype download appears to not have caused any problems, it could easily have been something more sinister.
Could it have possibly come through with a windows update? Or maybe bundled with another software? Microsoft did acquire Skype and I have seen an update for Skype in windows update. Maybe Skype was already there and windows updated it which caused the Skype welcome screen?? I would check windows update history to see if this is the case.
Also, Skype is a legitimate program. If you have your firewall rules set to automatic, the firewall will allow access. You could always change your firewall to ask and this will prompt you each time.