Java update Includes Yahoo Toolbar Now

I just got this after rebooting. What the heck, no notice that it was going to install the Toolbar too!:mad I know I can uninstall it and all but still, I thought they were above this kind of crap.

 

nope, been doing that for a while, as well as offering OpenOffice to boot, just gotta uncheck the box

 

6 update 12 had an option for MSN toolbar but not an auto install, could uncheck. Think I had to uncheck something for the last few installs if I recall.

 

it's the auto-update that does it, not sure on the manual update

 

I recently updated Java and noticed something in one of the screens about it installing Yahoo toolbar as well for free - but I didn't want that piece of crap on my computer.

As well Yahoo toolbar brings along all it's friends, like an extra menu in Firefox, and some kind of shield piece of rubbish all of which I don't want (at least it left my search alone)

Don't worry though it's gone now, along with a very nasty message to Yahoo an Sun as to why I am uninstalling this piece of malware.

I suppose as it hides itself within an update it is malware, are any of the anti-malware/virus programs picking it up? I know ESET missed it!

Yahoo should learn from compnies like Google that people are far more likely to want to install your product if you don't attempt to mislead people into installing it with updates but leave it up to them to install, and don't bundle it with more and more crap.

 

There seems to be a mis-understanding here about how auto-update works. It still gives the user a chance to uncheck the box for Yahoo toolbar for proceeding with installation of the Java update.

 

Let's assume the update came without any add-ons. In that case, what's not clean about the update?

 

Well, I'd rather opt in than opt out. It's like a bait 'n switch in my view, even though it's in front of your eyes. Are they depending on click happy idiots for revenue or the masses that don't have a clue of what they're doing? There's my $0.02 worth.

 

Well, I, too, would rather see them include the toolbar on an opt-in basis. However, I don't quite understand the extreme negative reaction reflected in some posts in this thread. After all, Java is free. So, I really can't fault Sun MicroSystems (the maker of Java) for seeking a little financial benefit; I'm assuming they get some financial benefit from Yahoo for doing this.

Also, the toolbar can be uninstalled and I certainly don't see the Yahoo toolbar as malware, as stated in one post. I've had it on my Compaq Vista laptop since purchase in July 2007; it was pre-installed. It only consumes 1.24 MB of disk space and is, in my view, totally harmless.

 

I don't know what the business model of Java is but I'm sure they didn't create it and keep programmers on the job updating it out of their own good hearts. Someone has been paying for JAVA before this toolbar nonsense and I assume the toolbar was looked at as an extra revenue generator and there's nothing wrong with that.

I agree with your statement as to malware, that is absolutely not the case as Yahoo would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did that, something like Sony's rootkit which was devious and malicious IMHO.:-D