Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Jack 1000 on September 28, 2011, 11:20:50 AM
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Greetings,
Do you have to take a toolbar, when you download and install software from Cnet, now? If so, can it be uninstalled? Thanks for your help!
Jack
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You shouldn't have to accept the toolbar but the better option is to not use cnet anymore, use filehippo, fileforum, softpedia or majorgeeks.
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No CNET here anymore... >:(
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You shouldn't have to accept the toolbar but the better option is to not use cnet anymore, use filehippo, fileforum, softpedia or majorgeeks.
I like Major Geeks. Just avoid the occasional Google Banner Ads, and you should be fine at that site.
Jack
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If you want to still use Cnet, but don't want the cute little "secure downloader", there is a way around it, if you have a Cnet account and are logged in, there will be a direct download link right below the usual big green "download now" button, this will give you the normal installer for the software.
You know, I tried the "secure downloader"(toolbar installer), just to see what I would get, and it simply failed for me, every time I tried it, the little GUI for the installer just froze up. So apart from the workaround of signing in, Cnet has not forced toolbars on me, they have banished me from downloading any software that is wrapped with their cute little adware. Good job, Cnet ::) ;D
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You can turn to other websites to download your software ;)
http://www.filehippo.com/
http://www.softpedia.com/
Anyone know why CNET became like this?
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Anyone know why CNET became like this?
Money.
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They are owned by CBS, a TV network corporation.
TV networks in the states are floundering right now, advertising dollars have dropped off quite a bit, with things on the Web like Netflix and everyone using DVRs to skip commercials, advertisers just dont want to pay as much for their commercial space anymore.
So the most likely scenario I see (just guesswork) is CBS forcing its smaller holdings like Cnet to generate more revenue to support its losses elsewhere, and this is the best way Cnet came up with to meet that mark.
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Thanks for the info guys :)
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Thanks for the info guys :)
NP Shiw..!
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Guys,
One thing you want to change. The main download for Avast Avast.com now goes to C-net!!!! UGGHHHH! Because of that toolbar thing, you should change this to get it from another server that is not bundling Avast's excellent products with adware. People who now get Avast from your homepage are going to be confused with going to C-Net and getting that toolbar thing:
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
Jack
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The main download for Avast Avast.com now goes to C-net!!!!
Luckily not for German speaking users. ;)
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The main download for Avast Avast.com now goes to C-net!!!!
It goes to CNET for me!
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The time that it will become interesting is when cnet, put the avast download in its sodding wrapper abd you start getting toolbars, etc. installed (if you aren't alert on the install) and then avast will be blamed for this cnet crapware.
Then I wonder of avast will be so happy to route downloads to cnet.
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The time that it will become interesting is when cnet, put the avast download in its sodding wrapper abd you start getting toolbars, etc. installed (if you aren't alert on the install) and then avast will be blamed for this cnet crapware.
Then I wonder of avast will be so happy to route downloads to cnet.
I agree,
There is concern here. Why couldn't Avast just route its program download to a download page that is part of Avast Main Site? Other AV and security companies do it with much success.
Jack
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I understand perfectly why they don't handle the actual download, servers. Currently for just the program and virus definition updates there 255 servers to handle that load.
If they were also going to handle the actual program download they would need many more servers. I have no idea how many instances of avast are downloaded every day, but it would be a very large total. My guess is it would need tens or even a hundred dedicated servers (costing a lot even if these are leased/hosted servers) or that additional load could impact on the virus definition and program updates and you would like that even less.
So it isn't just a simple statement 'why don't they just route its program download to a download page that is part of Avast Main Site.'
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CNET on avast blog.
https://blog.avast.com/2011/10/25/happy-15th-anniversary-to-download-com/
Anyway, not everything are for good, like the beloved toolbars and download managers ;D
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CNET on avast blog.
https://blog.avast.com/2011/10/25/happy-15th-anniversary-to-download-com/
Anyway, not everything are for good, like the beloved toolbars and download managers ;D
Totally agree with you.
Something for nothing isn't good when all you want is nothing else but the download you came to get. :(