GAMEBOOMERS provides you with all the latest PC adventure computer games information, forum, walkthroughs, reviews and news.

GB Reviews

Latest & Upcoming Adventure Games

GB Annual Game Lists

GB Interviews

BAAGS

GB @ acebook

About Us

Walkthroughs

free games galore

Game Publishers & Developers

World of Adventure

Patches

GB @ witter

GameBoomers Store

Print Thread
Software Download Sites: Beware #938589
02/04/14 10:08 AM
02/04/14 10:08 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
Draclvr  Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
After Terri's experience with her anti-virus getting turned off by malware, thought I would post this. A very interesting read and mirrors my own experiences with previously trusted download sites. Even good old Tucows has gone to the dark side. My rule is to ONLY download software from the developer website.

Software Download Sites: Beware

While this is a great and informative article, what is right at the top under the title? An offer for a free scan of your registry! A perfect example of what the article is preaching against! And where does the link take you? To CNET, one of the worst offenders!


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938593
02/04/14 10:52 AM
02/04/14 10:52 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Yikes !!!! eek Thanks for that, Draclvr thumbsup


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938594
02/04/14 10:55 AM
02/04/14 10:55 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Good article.
I'm not seeing any ad under the title -- I suppose because AdBlock is blocking it.

I can't stand those "downloaders." Some developer sites use them too now -- or integrate a crapware install with the installer. With developer sites, I've only seen Google Toolbar and McAfee Scanner, but I still don't want them. You ALWAYS have to watch the install process and make sure there isn't a window where you have to uncheck the boxes for unwanted software.

They lie about the speed. The only reason the downloader might be faster than the direct download is that it's deliberate -- they deliberately throttle the direct download or relegate it to a connection with lower bandwidth. But even a slow download speed takes less of your time than removing unwanted crapware that snuck through during the install.

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938597
02/04/14 11:06 AM
02/04/14 11:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,849
Michigan
Geo Offline
Addicted Boomer
Geo  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,849
Michigan
I don't think that the actual Cnet site is bad but once you try to download something it is like going to the land of horrible evils. I think the download services they use are totally different entities than Cnet.
What do you think.

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938606
02/04/14 11:39 AM
02/04/14 11:39 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
Draclvr  Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
I'm sure you're right, Geo. But the download experiences I've had have tainted my opinion of the entire CNET website. I refuse to use them for anything now... I don't even trust their reviews. Are they planted just to make more money?

The last experience with CNET when I unchecked everything and STILL got the cursed Conduit load of crapware and adware, that did it. I was testing out a piece of software that I thought might help someone before I recommended it. Sure glad I did because this individual would not have known how to get rid of the crapware.

I have AdBlocker and I still see this "Recommended... scan your computer for invalid registry entries..."


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938608
02/04/14 11:56 AM
02/04/14 11:56 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
I don't have "AdBlocker."
I have "AdBlock Plus" for Firefox and it uses the EasyList filter set.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938610
02/04/14 12:01 PM
02/04/14 12:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
Draclvr  Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Just installed Ad Block Plus and the ad is gone. I think I have Ad Block Plus on my Windows 7 computer, but had forgotten to install it on my Firefox on Windows 8. Thank you, Jenny!!


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938616
02/04/14 01:04 PM
02/04/14 01:04 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 536
South Dakota
lindy236 Offline
Settled Boomer
lindy236  Offline
Settled Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 536
South Dakota
Draclvr, can you get Ad Block for IE Windows 7? If you can were can I get.

Thank you.

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938623
02/04/14 01:23 PM
02/04/14 01:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,818
Beverly Hills, Florida
kjos Offline
BAAG Specialist
kjos  Offline
BAAG Specialist

Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,818
Beverly Hills, Florida
I have Ad Block for win xp,is it the same as Ad Block plus.
Richard


***To Error is Human**To Forgive is Divine***
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938631
02/04/14 02:03 PM
02/04/14 02:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,293
Rivellon
T
traveler Offline
Addicted Boomer
traveler  Offline
Addicted Boomer
T

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,293
Rivellon
lindy236,

Just google Ad Block Plus.
The link will take you to the download page and it will probably ask you if you want to download it for your particular browser since it recognizes the browser you are using.
There is a big red shield at the top left that's the shape of a stop sign with ABP on it.
I remember a BIG button that said Install for Opera.

Gil.


"Best not to think about it. I don't want to fall to bits 'cos of excess existential thought."
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938632
02/04/14 02:06 PM
02/04/14 02:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
Draclvr  Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
These add-ons are specific to your browser. Jenny linked me to Ad Block Plus which is for Firefox. You would have to check in the available add-ons for IE or whatever browser you are using.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938639
02/04/14 03:18 PM
02/04/14 03:18 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,138
Oakland, Ca.
kazzmo Offline
Addicted Boomer
kazzmo  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,138
Oakland, Ca.
Draclvr, Thank you so much for this link and information. I am also a victim of Conduit. I managed to get rid of the "crapware", but still have an "ERROR" sign when I start the computer.


Brick walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage. Give no thought of tomorrow, today was tomorrow and tomorrow will be today.
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938648
02/04/14 04:01 PM
02/04/14 04:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
Draclvr  Offline OP
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,007
Near St. Louis, MO
I also have someone who is getting a dll error related to Conduit at startup. Check your statup programs and see if it's listed there... Also look for something called Brothersoft in your add/remove programs. That's also related to Conduit.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938660
02/04/14 05:00 PM
02/04/14 05:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,293
Rivellon
T
traveler Offline
Addicted Boomer
traveler  Offline
Addicted Boomer
T

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,293
Rivellon
Originally Posted By: Draclvr
These add-ons are specific to your browser. Jenny linked me to Ad Block Plus which is for Firefox. You would have to check in the available add-ons for IE or whatever browser you are using.


Adblock Plus definitely recognized Opera without my checking for add-ons and displayed a big Install button.
When it installs, it does install as an Opera Extension.

Gil.


"Best not to think about it. I don't want to fall to bits 'cos of excess existential thought."
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938724
02/05/14 12:29 AM
02/05/14 12:29 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
I'm glad to hear there is a version of Adblock Plus for Opera.
One place to install Adblock Plus for Opera is at the add-on site for Opera at
https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/opera-adblock/

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938795
02/05/14 11:49 AM
02/05/14 11:49 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,505
Kirkwood, MO USA
flutist Offline
Adept Boomer
flutist  Offline
Adept Boomer

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,505
Kirkwood, MO USA
Thanks to all. I just downloaded the "AdBlock Plus"

Bets


Corgis fill your life with Joy, your heart with Love, and your soul with Sunshine.
Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Draclvr] #938808
02/05/14 02:01 PM
02/05/14 02:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 254
Connecticut
Ewil02 Offline
Settled Boomer
Ewil02  Offline
Settled Boomer

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 254
Connecticut

Same here! Thanks for bringing up the subject and mentioning Adblock Plus. I just assumed I had to put up with those annoying ads. I downloaded and installed Ad Block Plus add-on for the 3 browsers I use- so far it's working like a charm! thanks

Re: Software Download Sites: Beware [Re: Ewil02] #939139
02/07/14 03:20 PM
02/07/14 03:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Going to DL also......Great Info... bravo


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

Moderated by  Draclvr 

Who's Online Now
4 registered members (Urban Worrier, Orion, robedits, oldbroad), 254 guests, and 0 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Staff, Mod
Newest Members
PierreLombardo, Dux, WillPowerGoat, Ebalon, J7769mon
9388 Registered Users
Powered by UBB.threads™