Attack of Bloatware and PUPs (potentially unwanted programs): Why “Bundling” add-ons and “Free software” isn’t such a good deal for consumers

Post date: Aug 1, 2015 7:27:41 PM

Blog post for August 1, 2015

Found some “free” software and tried to download it lately? Surprise! You got a bonus: it has been bundled with extra programs that you didn’t want or don’t know anything about, and it isn’t easy to refuse those extra programs and download the original one. This bundling of free software with additional programs has become a real problem. Most tech writers refer to those extra programs as crapware, bloatware, or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and they are creating lots of confusion and frustration for users, and at the same time, generating obscene amounts of money for developers. Let’s take a closer look and see how you can protect yourself and your computer.

This past week I began working on some research for a book and needed to scan in an old document: I realized that I had never reinstalled CutePDF, a program that lets you create one PDF from many pages, on my new PC. Since I didn’t think I had the information for the purchase any longer and didn’t want to buy it again, I looked online for a free program. Unfortunately, when I downloaded it, I found it not very useful and realized that I now had added two new programs: ASK Search and ASK Shop.

So, what’s the problem? For one thing, Crapware takes up space on your computer, and can slow it down if you have too many of them. In addition they can create other problems, according to an article on Tomsguide.com: “But free programs often have a hidden price. Many software creators and distributors bundle their installers and updaters with potentially unwanted programs, or PUPs, which can include adware, dubious PC utilities, browser toolbars and browser hijackers, the last of which change browser homepages and search engines without the user's permission.”

I did some research to figure out WHY companies would do this: after all, most businesses aren’t trying to annoy their customers! However, there is little mystery as to the motivation: it is all about the money. When software creators give away “free” downloads, they have to support themselves some other way—when they let another developer add his product onto theirs, they earn money several different ways. First, many of these PUPs hijack your browser and then show you ads, sell your search results, or change your home page. They also pay up to $2 per install every time someone downloads their program.

Which companies are known to bundle PUPs with their free downloads? According to Tomsguide.com, the list includes Adobe, anti-virus programs, some browser add-ons, McAfee SiteAdvisor and Java. There are many others, and the really sad thing is that even reputable websites are doing this to generate income, so several sources flatly said that there are few places where it is safe to download free software. “Free” is not free if you get stuck with crapware!

The geeks at Howtogeek.com did an interesting but scary experiment: they installed the top ten programs listed on Download.com (part of CNET) and then wrote an article about it, describing the many problems created by conflicting programs. The anti-virus software was fighting with other programs, browsers didn’t want to open, and the geeks repeatedly warned readers NOT TO DO THIS!

So what can you do? First, be careful about downloading ANY free software. If you need a specific update (java) go to that specific company’s website, instead of googling it and settling for one of the first links you get, for a third party website that will probably load you down with extra software.

Second, check your machine! If you have a PC, how often do you go to the Control Panel and select Programs and features, and search your installed programs? You can search by date and then if you see three unfamiliar programs all downloaded on the same day, and know that you do not want them, you can select them and then click on uninstall and delete them. Please keep in mind that some of these programs will resist those attempts to delete them, by saying that you must first close Chrome. So you may need to exit the browser window and then delete the program.

Third, educate yourself by looking at the sources in the sidebar. Warn your friends!

Fourth, find programs that are reliable but probably not free! I searched my list of passwords and contacted Cute PDF; they sent me a link and I was able to download my software on the new computer.

As I read on several tech websites, “When the product is free the real product is YOU.”

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http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/

Heddings, Lowell. “Here’s what happens when you install the top 10 downloads.” Howtogeek.com. January 1, 2015.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/top-downloads-unwanted-software,news-19249.html

Hutton, Chris. “12 Downloads That Sneak Unwanted Software Into Your PC.” Tom’s Guides. August 1, 2014.