Stop Using Download.com Now!!!

Some weeks ago, I discovered something that I am about to tell you. I wanted to write about it then, but felt I might be categorized as a nut case or someone who screwed up his own computer and blamed it on someone else. And I did not have all the facts to back me up.
But the media has come to my rescue, including blogs and news stories as well as the experiences of one of the most prestigious writers at ZDNet, Ed Bott. Here is the basic story in a nutshell: Download.com, a division of CNet, is now sending your requested files wrapped inside an installer that eventually puts a boatload of crapware on your computer.
CNet and Download have been around for years. You’ve read some of the technology stories from CNet here on this blog. I’ve been using and recommending Download.com for years as a source of quality virus-free software. Well, those days are definitely over. They have betrayed our trust for the almighty dollar.
As you will read in our lead story, Download.com now wraps the file you want in what they term an installer, supposedly to make the download go smoother. In fact, the purpose of the installer is to put unwanted software of dubious origin designed to serve you ads, toolbars and other unwanted “goodies” on your computer…and they are incredibly difficult to remove. Trust me, I found out the hard way.
I have used Download.com for many years, and I thought nothing about downloading from their site. Recently, partway through the install, I realized what was going on and stopped the download. But it was too late. Some of the crapware got on my computer. Thank God, not all of it.
During the install, you have the right to opt-out of the downloads, but they make it sound so attractive. But if you read the legal notice, you will discover that the software is going to send you more unwanted software every few days that will take over part of your computing experience giving you ads and other goodies you definitely don’t want. It will, in effect, rewrite many of the web pages you request.
I kept deleting the software that got on my system, but it kept coming back. In fact it came back again only a couple of days ago when I used IE10 for a special purpose. I quickly disabled it.
At one point early on before I realized what was happening, I kept getting a notice that some unknown program wanted to install more stuff on my computer. I denied it of course, then eventually researched it and found it to be something that no one would want on their computer. I managed to get the program off my computer.
Download.com and CNet are making a ton of money doing this and they have no remorse about it. Users download almost 100,000 software items a week from their system. Imagine the money coming into their coffers.
So, the bottom line is don’t download anything from Download.com. In fact, when you download anything from anywhere, read everything carefully before installing or you may wind up with a ton of crapware that infects your computer. I deplore what CNet has done, using their here-to-for stellar reputation to infect people’s computers with nasty and unwanted garbage. Betraying a trust is the worst kind of villainy.
Please read story #1 to get all the facts. You will be glad you did!!!
Lots of other news here including Google’s new $35 device that streams movies and TV shows from your phones or tablets right to your TV. Interesting. Enjoy. -JRC

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