Comments on: Apple Safari Backdoor Install “Wrong” http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong Helping you to get the most out of modern technology and communications since 2004. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:48:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John London http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-3787 John London Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:10:09 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-3787 When given the option to check/uncheck the box, how is the average person supposed to know that "Safari" isn't necessary to the update, let alone what it was? Not being aware of the latest computer software marketing techniques doesn't mean one has "other intellectual fish to fry" and I take offense to the statement. The statement might apply, however, to those who think that the world revolves around knowledge of computer software marketing techniques alone. When given the option to check/uncheck the box, how is the average person supposed to know that “Safari” isn’t necessary to the update, let alone what it was? Not being aware of the latest computer software marketing techniques doesn’t mean one has “other intellectual fish to fry” and I take offense to the statement. The statement might apply, however, to those who think that the world revolves around knowledge of computer software marketing techniques alone.

]]> By: JW http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2649 JW Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:58:06 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2649 All I want are iTunes updates so I can listen to music and audio. Apple already forces QuickTime onto my computer and absolutely won't let me run iTunes without it. Furthermore with every software update (which occur way too often), Apple decides that QuickTime (which I NEVER use) and iTunes (which I launch once in a while) MUST be RE-installed into both my QuickLaunch and my Desktop without my consent. Respectable software (much less software updates) don't much such presumptions. Now these folks at Apple take it to a new level of sleaziness. They try to catch me not paying close attention once during an software UPDATE to try install a completely unrelated application -- Safari (negative option installation). I only want my damn iTunes UPDATEd so malware is a good word for this practice. I don't want QuickTime and especially don't want Safari installed on my computer if I forget to opt out once. All I want are iTunes updates so I can listen to music and audio. Apple already forces QuickTime onto my computer and absolutely won’t let me run iTunes without it. Furthermore with every software update (which occur way too often), Apple decides that QuickTime (which I NEVER use) and iTunes (which I launch once in a while) MUST be RE-installed into both my QuickLaunch and my Desktop without my consent. Respectable software (much less software updates) don’t much such presumptions.

Now these folks at Apple take it to a new level of sleaziness. They try to catch me not paying close attention once during an software UPDATE to try install a completely unrelated application — Safari (negative option installation). I only want my damn iTunes UPDATEd so malware is a good word for this practice. I don’t want QuickTime and especially don’t want Safari installed on my computer if I forget to opt out once.

]]> By: Apple EULA forbid install of Safari on Windows | Cow's Blog http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2560 Apple EULA forbid install of Safari on Windows | Cow's Blog Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:55:45 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2560 [...] is pretty funny. Apparently after Apple installed Safari through the backdoor on millions of computers, it turns out the EULA for Safari actually says that users are only [...] [...] is pretty funny. Apparently after Apple installed Safari through the backdoor on millions of computers, it turns out the EULA for Safari actually says that users are only [...]

]]> By: Brandon http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2536 Brandon Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:37:21 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2536 It's called Apple Software UPDATE... not Apple Software ADDITION. The tool should be used as it was originally unveiled to the public, as a means of distributing important and often security-related updates to Apple software already installed on the user's computer. Using it to drive up the install base of other software products that users might not want or need is an inappropriate use of the tool. People saying it is within Apple's rights to quietly install new products on those machines just don't seem to understand the concept of only installing the software you need. Yes, users should know better. They should read the dialog boxes. They should see there is an option to opt out. But often times they don't, and that's no excuse for Apple's attempt to exploit end-user ignorance and/or apathy. Apple complained when Microsoft made a similar move with their Windows Update software. Now you'll notice that Microsoft Update will offer software not currently installed on a user's computer, but it won't be checked by default, meaning the user must make an active decision to install it if they so choose. Why can't Apple take the same approach? It’s called Apple Software UPDATE… not Apple Software ADDITION. The tool should be used as it was originally unveiled to the public, as a means of distributing important and often security-related updates to Apple software already installed on the user’s computer. Using it to drive up the install base of other software products that users might not want or need is an inappropriate use of the tool. People saying it is within Apple’s rights to quietly install new products on those machines just don’t seem to understand the concept of only installing the software you need.

Yes, users should know better. They should read the dialog boxes. They should see there is an option to opt out. But often times they don’t, and that’s no excuse for Apple’s attempt to exploit end-user ignorance and/or apathy.

Apple complained when Microsoft made a similar move with their Windows Update software. Now you’ll notice that Microsoft Update will offer software not currently installed on a user’s computer, but it won’t be checked by default, meaning the user must make an active decision to install it if they so choose. Why can’t Apple take the same approach?

]]> By: DavidK http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2519 DavidK Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:03:19 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2519 Sony charging $50 to remove bloatware....Now that's news. http://www.macworld.com/article/132633/2008/03/bloadtware.html Sony charging $50 to remove bloatware….Now that’s news. http://www.macworld.com/article/132633/2008/03/bloadtware.html

]]> By: DavidK http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2518 DavidK Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:54:35 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2518 Guys give it a break. MS and vendors having been doing this for years. At least this software is free and pretty good I might add! Guys give it a break. MS and vendors having been doing this for years. At least this software is free and pretty good I might add!

]]> By: mathue http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2516 mathue Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:39:24 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2516 Strangely no one seems to recall when MS pushed WGA on us XP users. Strangely no one seems to recall when MS pushed WGA on us XP users.

]]> By: Cow http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2513 Cow Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:06:31 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2513 I think it's important to remember that the vast majority of people are not interested in technology or particularly knowledgeable. For most of you guys, you will read dialog boxes when they pop up and offer "updates". For the rest of us, we'll read everything carefully when we install programmes. We might even read the full EULA. But when "Software Update" pops up, we certainly don't plan on reading everything when typically the only thing that is happening is a buffer overflow in Quicktime is being patched or something. I think it’s important to remember that the vast majority of people are not interested in technology or particularly knowledgeable. For most of you guys, you will read dialog boxes when they pop up and offer “updates”. For the rest of us, we’ll read everything carefully when we install programmes. We might even read the full EULA. But when “Software Update” pops up, we certainly don’t plan on reading everything when typically the only thing that is happening is a buffer overflow in Quicktime is being patched or something.

]]> By: JS http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2512 JS Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:46:39 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2512 http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx Oh My!!! http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx

Oh My!!!

]]> By: Brich http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-2509 Brich Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:29:55 +0000 http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/apple-safari-backdoor-install-wrong#comment-2509 The Apple updater clearly states: "New software is available from Apple." If a user can't comprehend this simple sentence (it's in BOLD letters by the way), then they've got bigger intellectual fish to fry. Geez....reading comprehension is fundamental. The Apple updater clearly states: “New software is available from Apple.” If a user can’t comprehend this simple sentence (it’s in BOLD letters by the way), then they’ve got bigger intellectual fish to fry. Geez….reading comprehension is fundamental.

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