Reply to: Adobe Flash Security Update Tries to Install McAfee Adware

[Sysman]

I tried it several times for each, and it seems that it's only Firefox users who get the McAfee thingy thrust at them for some strange reason

Thanks for the thorough report Nick. The last time I got worried about Flash being out of date (12 months ago? 18 months ago?) I found something on mozilla.org which le me through checking what version I was using, and yesterday I went looking for that, but didn't find it.

I seem to recall an enhancement request/proposal for Firefox at that time which suggested a Flash version check, but don't know if it ever made it.

[NickFitz]

Just for the record I updated Flash on my Mac yesterday, and no offers of extra software were seen.

I just tried their download page; for Safari Mac it offered nothing extra. Using Safari's User Agent switcher, I pretended to be on IE (6,7,8, all Windows of course) and it offered the Google toolbar (with installation enabled by default). Pretending to be Firefox on Windows, it offered the McAfee thingy (again, installation enabled by default). Pretending to be Opera on Windows and Safari on Windows, it offered nothing.

I tried it several times for each, and it seems that it's only Firefox users who get the McAfee thingy thrust at them for some strange reason

[Sysman]

Just for the record I updated Flash on my Mac yesterday, and no offers of extra software were seen.

I did have to search a bit to find out how to check for the current version installed. One would have thought that the Adobe site would have come high in Google, but a site belonging to a Bob came #1

Visit www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ to check your current version of Flash. Note that you need to enable both JavaScript and Flash for that page to work.

[Mich the Tester]

Does anyone know what exactly the Windows Malicious Software tool does?

Yes. It eats internal memory and gives you nothing in return.

A bit like McAfee.

[TimberWolf]

Ah, McAfee appears to have gone without a struggle. I did just spend an hour trying to get Windows Defender working though, but late in the day I discovered that Microsoft Security Essentials (which I have installed now) turns it off, and does a pretty good job of not allowing it be turned on too. Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials. D'oh!

[OwlHoot]

Kaperski seems pretty good, and doesn't thrash the system trying to scan my millions of files.

The most annoying thing about Norton was the stupid way it would *ask* before removing a virus, as if the virus might be a cherished possession I'd be heartbroken to lose!

(and then, to cap it all, once one clicked the removal option, more often than not Norton was unable to remove it!! mad )

[xoggoth]

Useful thread. Might use that security essentials rather than renew my subscription to Bullguard when it expires. Always love to save money me.

[Clippy]

I think it's only the web update that does it. The auto update process seems to be mcafee free

Cool - thought I may have missed it.

[Spacecadet]

With regards the flash update, I've installed this on 2 PC's now and each time there has been no McAfee tick box.

Weird - anyone else have that?

I think it's only the web update that does it. The auto update process seems to be mcafee free

[Clippy]

AV products like McAfee and Nortons are a bitch to completely remove.

Would suggest you download the McAfee Removal Tool and run that after you have uninstalled McAfee via Add/Remove Programs.

With regards the flash update, I've installed this on 2 PC's now and each time there has been no McAfee tick box.

Weird - anyone else have that?

[Spacecadet]

Back to Adobe... I uninstallaed adobe acrobat reader a few weeks ago and I've been using foxit reader instead.
Much much smaller footprint on my hard drive and it works perfectly and quicker than the adobe offering.

[Doggy Styles]

Yes, Windows Defender rings a bell, or perhaps Windows Firewall. Once I remove McAfee (which hopefully will go quietly when its subscription lapses), I'll make sure all is turned back after I install MSE. In fact I'll do a full system scan with McAfee now and delete the beggar - its requests for renewal are annoying.

McAfee does not go quietly. You've got to eradicate it. It is like a f***ing virus.

[TimberWolf]

Another vote here for Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).

Have been using it since its release without any dramas.

Timber - I suspect you are thinking of Windows Defender which, I believe, was incorporated into MSE.

Yes, Windows Defender rings a bell, or perhaps Windows Firewall. Once I remove McAfee (which hopefully will go quietly when its subscription lapses), I'll make sure all is turned back after I install MSE. In fact I'll do a full system scan with McAfee now and delete the beggar - its requests for renewal are annoying.

[d000hg]

Does anyone know what exactly the Windows Malicious Software tool does? Is it looking at specific pieces of malware, or what? They make sure to tell you it doesn't replace a full AV system and I never saw it do anything (like flag a file), so what's it do?

And I've heard very good ratio of praise:complaints for MSE too. No doubt MS don't dare distribute anti-virus with the OS in case they get sued again for making their OS too good

[Moscow Mule]

All the windows pcs and VMs in the house & business are now running MSE.

It's the puppies nuts. No virus drama since it came out, no unnecessary caning of system resources, free. Couldn't be happier.

Still have to be careful of phishing via telephone though. Dirty cnuts.