DirectX

This is the e-mail I sent to bfg.
I just installed the new game for today and I had to install direct x ok but it installed Bing Bar in my computeer with my saying I don't want Bing Bar. Is this what your doing now installing things that I don't want. I uninstalled BingBar.
I sure didn't want Bing Bar. When I restarted my pc BingBar came up. I got rid of that real fast. Thanks
Richard

There is a tick/untick box for a Bing Bar when installing Direct X, don't think it's BF's problem.

I didn't see any but what do I know. You shouldn't have to look around and do some clicking. Thanks Upsydaisy. I will remember the next time.
Richard

You're welcome. There is also a sneaky tick box on Adobe Reader, only there it's for McAfee Virus.

I am moving this to Glitches for a warning to others and changed the title to DirectX. It has nothing to do with BigFish so it is not fair to blame them.

The Bing Bar is an add-on - go to your add-ons and disable it. Thank you, Ana, for moving it over here so I can get on my soapbox again!

This is a classic example of how stuff gets downloaded to your computer - and sometimes it's BAD STUFF. you should always check ANY download for little "offers" like Bing or the McAfee that comes with some Adobe products. Be vigilant and go over EVERY little screen in a download and uncheck those little boxes to be sure you don't miss one.

We call it foistware and the reason it's there is all about money, so don't expect it to go away any time soon. This had nothing to do with Big Fish Games, but with the DirectX download.

Where did this "DirectX" download come from?
Did it come through Big Fish?
Or is Microsoft including their "Bing Bar" in every DirectX update now?

I believe the DirectX download popped up towards the end of a Big Fish game download; I've had this happen a few times in the past.

Marian,It came through BF when I downloaded a game. Never had this happen before. I just installed Direct X. Didn't see anything else on Direct X. Will look better next time.
Richard

More here... kjos is not the only one bambozzled here. As upsydaisy says, the little pre-checked box is small and sneaky.

http://forums.bigfishgames.com/posts/list/147669.page

I believe I have had one DirectX download like that from Big Fish, where there was an option to install the Bing Bar, but I unchecked the box first. The box to check is indeed small and I can see why people might not catch it.

Hi Drac,
Maybe I should know about this already, but can you tell me as to WHERE these add-ons reside on my WIN XP computer. I wouldn't mind disabling a few, myself. Thank you in advance. Through this forum, I have gotten to realize that you are very knowledgeable about computers, and I have valued your input.
Sandy

Richard, when I get an upgrade from Adobe, it always has a little box and then TRY McAfee Virus Program (or words to that effect). I always make sure that the little box is UCHECKED before I start the download. I, myself, have never seen one of those "options" to add somethig on when I've had to download Direct X. BTW, if you already have the latest version of Direct X, you don't HAVE TO download it again. I believe that the latest version of Direct X is 9.0 C.

These are browser add-ons, sanford. So it depends on which browser you are using. If you are using Internet Explorer, I think the very old IE 8 is the best one you can use on XP. See if this helps...

http://www.wintuts.com/Manage-Internet-Explorer-8-Add-ons

If you are using Firefox, that would be much more secure and you would go to Tools and then Add-ons. Chrome is something similar.

Thanks for your reply, Drac. I use Chrome as my default browser, but sometimes I use IE. I found the add-on list in IE, but not in the Chrome settings. Maybe you can help me with this?
Sandy

Yeah, Chrome makes it a pain to find add-on or extensions. Try clicking on the 3 little bars in the upper right corner. Then click on More Tools and then Extensions.

That was IT, Drac. I only have ONE in Chrome (which I want), and FOUR enabled in IE (also that I want). Again,thanks so much for your valuable input.
Sandy

Good to know everything is something you actually want!

This has become so common these days to sneak [blip] in with these online installers. They are so easy to miss. Not that the Bingbar is malicious, but I resent having [blip] slipped past me. As noted, Adobe will try to sneak McAfee in, Java Open Office and now this. The McAfee is the worst. It can interfere with your intended AV and is one of the worse AVs with lots of false positives and real threats it misses. It also sinks its roots very deeply into the bowels of the system causing stability and performance issues.

You just have to be especially vigilant when installing anything these days, even something from a source that you would have considered a trusted not so long ago.

Very wise words, Collector. Thank you.
Sandy

Drac, there are those add-ons that I have which are disabled, and they will stay that way.