Open Candy no "opt-out" on install.

Recently on checking a couple of free apps registry keys in my OS "CU & LM" I came upon a couple of items referenced to "OpenCandy". I did a search for this item & MSE flags it as malware. Doing a bit more homework it turns out this item is bundled into quite a few freeware app installers. On checking the installers I found there was no opt-out in the EULA. The question I have for you guys, if you can help, is there a listing on the www of open source / freeware that has "Open Candy" bundled with it?

"OpenCandy" is something I do not wish on my system & prefer to avoid. I'm sure others will be concerned about any software that has no opt-out on the install?

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

Hans

 

Welcome to MajorGeeks!

Have you checked your add/remove programs to see if you can uninstall it?

 

Theefool,

Good day to you,

I have since removed the software (kantaris & SIW) from my OS that the "opencandy" keys were bundled with & removed said keys manually from the registry.

I am still enquiring as to whether there is site on the web that highlights any existing & new open source /freeware applications that contain "opencandy" bundled without the opt-out option on the application install. Myself & I'm sure many other users are concerned about having this third party junk on their systems & how many users actually review the EULA completely prior to install?

Thank you for you help with this query.

Hans.

 

Hi Hans and Geek Army,

I'm Dr. Apps, the Software Community Guru for OpenCandy.

If you want to remove the registry keys (no harm in doing so), we have a FAQ here: http://www.opencandy.com/faqs/#opencandy-registry-keys.

I'd also like to clarify that OpenCandy is never installed on any system, whether an OpenCandy-powered recommendation is accepted or declined. The OpenCandy installer plug-in -- which software developers integrate into their installer to make software recommendations to subsidize development costs -- has no functionality whatsoever outside of the installer with which it was integrated with. In addition, the plug-in (OCSetupHlp.dll) is designed to automatically remove itself once the publisher's (publishers are those who make OpenCandy-powered recommendations) installation and recommendation process has completed.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll be happy to answer.

 

Hi Hans

I don't know of any site that lists all freeware containing OpenCandy, but Gizmo's freeware site (http://www.techsupportalert.com) has stated:

Hope this helps you.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/con...-program-now-being-embedded-more-software.htm

 

Maxand

Firstly many thanks for the link to Techsupport alert. These guys have very high standards as to the freeware applications they review & promote. I agree with their policy & hopefully other sites will adopt similar. As to Open Candy - I'm sure if users have the right to accept or reject this product - as many developers include on, for example ask & yahoo toolbars in the installer it would be more acceptable to users.

Until this day comes anything associated with Open Candy is off my list of applications to try & potentially buy.

Thanks once again for your help.

Hans Muller