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Adobe! Cut This Nonsense Out!

This article is more than 10 years old.

Cut it out, Adobe! I mean it!

Today I get notified of yet another update for Adobe's Flash Player. I'm used to these now since Flash Player if probably the buggiest application installed on my PC -- far buggier than even Internet Explorer -- and requires regular updates to prevent it being exploited by the bad guys.

Fair enough. I can live without Flash on my iPhone and iPad, but it's still a vital component on my desktop and notebook systems.

So, I live with the endless updates -- or at least tolerate them. But what I hate is the way that Adobe tries to foist unwanted software on me when I update.

Here's exhibit A:

Not only is Adobe trying to foist McAfee's Security Scan Plus software on me, but someone has taken it on themselves to pre-check the box, which means if I eagerly click that 'Update now' button without first taking the time to uncheck the box, I get this software as part of the update.

In case you're wondering why Adobe does this, the company is being paid by McAfee -- a security firm -- to push the crapware as part of the update. It's ironic that a security form would choose to associate itself with this distribution method since it happens to be a favored trick of those who spread malware, adware and other digital junk.

Adobe, stop doing this. McAfee, you should know better than to use this underhanded method of distributing your software.