Google: Unwanted Bundled Software is Way More Aggressive Than Malware
Researchers have exposed the questionable practices of the pay-per-install industry behind the lucrative market for unwanted software.
- Liam Tung for ZDNet August 8th, 2016
- Source: http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-unwanted-bundled-software-is-way-more-aggressive-than-malware/
Google says it issues over 60 million warnings each week to help users avoid installing software that attempts to gain user consent by deception.
According to Google, it issues three times as many unwanted software warnings than malware warnings, much of which relates to adware and browser-hijacking software that's been sneakily bundled with legitimate software.
Ad affiliate networks know that people rarely read terms and conditions and exploit this failing by burying details about bundled software in the text of their consent form. Consumers may not want the additional software, but their consent allows the affiliate marketer to operate legally.