Read this before using CNET!!

[donetao]

Thanks @jim lin !! Shame on you FileHippo. What the Hell are all these sites we trusted thinking, and do they not know we will call them out for this crap?? I think I'll thrown my PC in the trash. It's very scary!

 

[jackuars]

This is why long back I moved from CNET to Filehippo.

And Filehippo has also started to bundle adware with software just like CNET.

Softpedia is where I go.

 

[donetao]

And Filehippo has also started to bundle adware with software just like CNET.

Softpedia is where I go.

I guess they are all greedy and $$$ signs are corrupting them. That's very sad. Well lets just go with the original author then or not down load their software.

 

[jim lin]

it's all about the money they do not care about us lol

and for the memories of the old day's and reminisce about things from the past

Oldapps
http://www.oldapps.com/

Oldversions
http://www.oldversion.com/



James

 

[Kate_L]

unchecky is a must nowadays, PUP everywhere.

I use filehippo but you need to watch what you click (see my screenshot and don't click the wrong link).

 

[donetao]

Hi! Lets all hope we have gotten their attention and they all reconsider their decision to try to install their crap ware on us, and change their ways.
I know fat chance of that ever happening, but we can always hope.

 

[Vasudev]

ninite is good https://ninite.com/

 

[donetao]

Hi! Lets all hope we have gotten their attention and they all reconsider their decision to try to install their crap ware on us, and change their ways.
I know fat chance of that ever happening, but we can always hope.

 

[donetao]

Hi! I have accomplished what I wanted to. Thanks to all MT members that replied to this thread. I hope I have saved you some grief and you have avoided the Dang PUP"S

 

[conceptualclarity]

My view is that CNET/download.com is a very good site to research software, although not as good as it used to be, because editors' reviews seem to be diminishing. It also seems like the users' reviews, which I value greatly, are diminishing.

For years I have avoided downloading from CNET. What a piece of crap TechTracker was! It made the simple process of downloading a program excruciating. The piggybacking of unwanted programs keeps me from downloading there. I think I read CNET at one point was even bundling the execrable Babylon Toolbar.

Some developers will send you to CNET when you try to download their program from their page. In that case I do a search for the program with version and usually end up downloading it from softpedia.

 

[donetao]

Some developers will send you to CNET when you try to download their program from their page. In that case I do a search for the program with version and usually end up downloading it from softpedia.

CNET is bad news. That's the reason I started this thread. I'm hoping they wake up and smell the roses.
PS There are also many just like them.

 

[BCHatesMalware]

Here' s a picture showing what to look for when downloading from Download.com:

Hope this helps someone.

 

[Ink]

I won't comment about their parent companies.

A lot of these sites rely on Ads, that are displayed on their site. A lot of visitors also use Adblockers, so I believe to continue receiving incentives they switch to bundling the downloads.

You're getting a free service to download software, and they get little or nothing in return, except for reputation / recommendations.

To continue to host an independent site, legally speaking, you need $$.

 

[jackuars]

unchecky is a must nowadays, PUP everywhere.

I use filehippo but you need to watch what you click (see my screenshot and don't click the wrong link).

Or WinPatrol, it's a great system monitor

 

[PrMi]

Really hate CNET, it's the house of PUPs

 

[Behold Eck]

Hello donetao

i used to use Filehippo but then this

Take care, FileHippo starts offering downloads via Installers!
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/filehippo-starts-offering-downloads-via-installers

Majorgeeks,Softpedia,manufacturer is where i go

here is another safe one

Filehorse
http://www.filehorse.com/



James

Yeah my AV once grabbed a filehippo installer which was a bit of a shocker at the time.

The main lesson to take from all this is to always use the "custom" install button, just incase.

Regards Eck

 

[BCHatesMalware]

But to bundle junkware without telling you is completely dishonest, and turns people off. That I believe is the major complaint, so they really needed to respond to their users, and allow the software to be downloaded some other way.

And of course, download.com is not really an independent site anymore. They are owned by a big conglomerate, which really stinks. I believe they were much better when they were really independent.

 

[conceptualclarity]

The main lesson to take from all this is to always use the "custom" install button, just in case.

True! Should be one of the ten fundamentals given to inexperienced computer users.

 

[Behold Eck]

To continue to host an independent site, legally speaking, you need $$.

It`s not why they do it it`s more the way they do it. As in trying to sneak unwanted crapware on to your system in a very dubious underhand, backdoor way.

Just imagine how much of this stuff is on some unsuspecting users computers.We`re talking about startup pages changed,toolbars installed,system tune-up utilities installed etc.

Personally I`d rather pay for the service but even then I`d still use the custom button.

Regards Eck

 

[Neno]

Some free software is only downloable at cnet. Just proceed with caution and nothing bad happends.

AVOID Softonic. It can put things into system even with caution taken.

And they have a lots of malware infected files.