- Feb 7, 2014
- 1,540
Distributing adware to computer users is a lucrative business. It is that lucrative that software companies as well as download portals have started to integrate services such as Open Candy into their installers to earn extra money.
When Cnet's Download.com started to offer custom download managers with adware offers, it was heavily criticized for it by part of the Internet community.
It did only make the download manager available first but added a direct download link to software profile pages on its site later on.
I have just received word that FileHippo, a website recommended by quite a few users as one of the remaining "clean" websites, has added a custom download manager to its site which -- who would have guessed that -- includes adware offers as well.
It is either a test or a roll out of the feature to users. I could not replicate this yet on the site as all downloads offered on FileHippoe were served directly and without download manager.
If the download manager is enabled for you, you see "download manager enabled" listed in the green download box. There is a "direct download" link option underneath as well.
When Cnet's Download.com started to offer custom download managers with adware offers, it was heavily criticized for it by part of the Internet community.
It did only make the download manager available first but added a direct download link to software profile pages on its site later on.
I have just received word that FileHippo, a website recommended by quite a few users as one of the remaining "clean" websites, has added a custom download manager to its site which -- who would have guessed that -- includes adware offers as well.
It is either a test or a roll out of the feature to users. I could not replicate this yet on the site as all downloads offered on FileHippoe were served directly and without download manager.
If the download manager is enabled for you, you see "download manager enabled" listed in the green download box. There is a "direct download" link option underneath as well.