CNET, Download.com, and Ben Dover?

[KublaiKhan]

http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/

I've tried my best to watch installers, because I know they can often slip in third-party software. The situation seems to get worse every day, but I try to stick to the developer's home page. But that's not always possible. Even then, some developers have taken to bundling third-party software with their programs in a never-ending quest for monetization.

I found the above article timely, funny, and frightening. I had done the very same thing, myself: Read the declaration that Download.com would do no evil and took it to heart. Largely because I trusted CNET. I think that's becoming a mistake.

Are you guys avoiding Download.com, despite the association with CNET? Or am I overreacting? Perhaps all this third-party stuff can be avoided if you just pay attention to the installer?

It's getting scary out there!

 

[USAFRet]

Those 2 used to be the goto. No longer, not for years.
Much bundling of crapware.

Either get it direct from the publisher, or ninite.com, or it doesn't happen.

 

[mcnumpty23]

ever since the lenovo superfish thing its even scarier

basically all certificates can be falsified no where is safe

heres a test for ssl disabling software

https://filippo.io/Badfish/

 

[Silver2]

I`m using Unchecky to help avoid the garbage that is bundled with software these days.

Try it, it has saved me numerous times from those hidden tick-boxes that you need to be aware of.

http://unchecky.com/