Beware! FileHippo tests adware distributing download manager

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Terry Ganzi

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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.
 

Oxygen

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Feb 23, 2014
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I'm getting clean downloads from filehippo & I don't see any custom download manager.
 

WinXPert

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I download most of my softwares from softpedia.com. Very rarely I DL from Filehippo
 

Oxygen

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gHacks Image of Teamviewer Download
filehippo-download-manager.jpg





My View

JihEEdS.png


I don't get it I'm not seeing this download manager.
 

Littlebits

Retired Staff
May 3, 2011
3,893
gHacks Image of Teamviewer Download
filehippo-download-manager.jpg





My View

JihEEdS.png


I don't get it I'm not seeing this download manager.

I have checked several files hosted on FileHippo and I don't see this download manager either.
Nothing posted on their site either, I wonder how ghacks got these images? and where did they get the source for this article?

Enjoy!! :D
 
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Oxygen

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Feb 23, 2014
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I have checked several files hosted on FileHippo and I don't see this download manager either.
Nothing posted on their site either, I wonder how ghacks got these images? and where did they get the source for this article?

Enjoy!! :D

I suppose this is where photoshop comes in, and as for the source of the article they probably just made it up.
 
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WinXPert

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he must be getting redirections

Firefox
2vbsjmq.jpg


SRWare Iron
a452qv.jpg
 
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Littlebits

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May 3, 2011
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I have Googled this "FileHippo Download Manager" and found nothing, more than likely it is just a fake scam trying to make the download site to appear bad or users that did get this download manager got it from a fake FileHippo site not the official.

Enjoy!! :D
 
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WinXPert

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looks like a scam. just check and compare the version numbers

Another thing, as long as I can remember, Filehippo's list of previous versions are on a column at the right hand side
 
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Littlebits

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May 3, 2011
3,893
I contacted FileHippo about this issue and they got me a link- http://www.filehippo.com/filehippo_download_manager
So far it is only being experimented in certain regions that is why most of us can not see the FileHippo Download Manager.

Do I have to use the installer?
No. All FileHippo Installer Enabled products have a Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer.

Enjoy!! :D
 

WinXPert

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good thing you've cleared it out
 

Ink

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Jan 8, 2011
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@xxtoss23 That's a bit extreme? Direct downloads are still available, if you missed that.. Same with CNET Download.com, some programs have Direct download links. How often does one need to visit these sites, once they've downloaded one version? Another point, a lot more software now have their own built-in updater allowing for direct updates without third-party sites.
 

woomera

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Jan 15, 2012
594
i never used filehippo since it lacked many many softwares in their DB but after this i wont even open their website, the same thing i did with download.com(cnet) couple of years ago.
 
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