Download.com forcing downloaders to install Kontiki p2p distribution software
 

From Zeropaid:

CNET Forcing Kontiki P2P Client on Downloaders
posted by Smegma on December 02, 2002 @ 10:36am

Exploit Systems is reporting that CNET Download.com is trojan-horsing the Kontiki network onto unsuspecting users.

In a move reminiscent of the Altnet fiasco, users who download certain applications like the Nero Burning ROM program are required to first install the "CNET Download Manager" aka Kontiki.

Once the CNET/Kontiki application is installed it runs continuously in the background and launches automatically every time you start up. It attaches your computer to the Kontiki network and makes your hard drive and bandwidth available to CNET and Kontiki for the purpose of distributing their software offerings.

CNET could do a much better job of explaining to users exactly what they're agreeing to when taking this "Download Manager" application. Forcing users to accept unwanted software (which will later be un-installed) in order to get a desired piece of software seems rather thuggish and intrusive.

In an age when ISPs are capping upstream bandwidth, blindly allowing a company like CNET or Kontiki to use your upload capacity could put you over the byte limit and cost you extra money - or cause the loss of your broadband account.

- tg ;)

not good news tg but unlike the vast majority of p2p users who blithely download spyware-ridden programs with ignorant abandon, the people who frequent download.com are a fairly aware bunch where spyware is concerned. i doubt many here will use it until this gets clarified (i won't).

i'm not so sure c|net can pull this off for any length of time.

this could sink download.com.

- js.

I new something was fishy when they started forcing people to register. Maybe a change in managment? Well, when their advertizing revenues start to tumble the new guy is gonna get fired, by then I hope it's not too late to go back to the old way.

clearly download.com (cnet) needs money.... they started charging software peeps to list with them, then forcing users to register... now this...

what's fucked up is for many they are the only game in town. i guess a little competition is now needed...

the problem is that what download.com offers is expensive... bandwidth... so maybe their competitor is gonna have to do a fileplanet type thing to make money; offer a "premium" ftp and a "loser" (long que) ftp for getting software... it would be more unfortunate to put the cost on software developers; as suddenly we'll only be abe to download software by giants; no cool small stuff....

A lot of the software isn't even hosted on cnet. The problem with this is that many sites still force you to go through cnet. People need to directly link now instead of forcing people to go through cnet.

Exactly what I was going to say. The downloads actually come from the program developers' sites. This place is looking more and more attractive. http://www.webattack.com/

Doesn't get any clearer

>This message was sent to Download.com Support by jackspratts@lycos.com.
>
>*Please include original message in your reply*
>
>Original Message Follows:
>-------------------------
>
>Comments: are you forcing users to accept any other program besides
>those that they've clicked on? there are reports you're including
>unrequested copies of kontiki onto people who receive programs from
>download.com.
>
>this has made some users anxious for a variety of resons, not least of
>which is the the long reported issue of spyware in kontiki. if you'd
>like to respond in an interview fashion you may contact me via email and
>i'll arange an interview and publish your response on the site,
>napsterites.net.
>
>thanks,
>
>jack spratts, moderator, peer to peer.
>
>http://www.napsterites.net/underground/
--

On Fri, 06 Dec 2002 02:51:47
Download.com Support wrote:
>Subject: Comments and suggestions
>
>We understand your concerns related to "spyware," ad-supported software,
>and online privacy; we also understand that a lot of misinformation is
>circulating regarding this subject, so here are a few things to keep in
>mind when dealing with ad-supported programs.
>
>In some instances, what you may think of as a free download actually
>contains advertisements that are served to your desktop while you're
>running the program. These types of downloads are known by a variety of
>names, among them “ad-supported software," "spyware," and "adware."
>Some people prefer using ad-supported software because it is usually
>free. Others feel that adware is intrusive, or worse, that it
>compromises their privacy because it monitors aspects of their behavior
>on the Web and transmits that information back to advertisers.
>
>If you'd like to uninstall any related components completely from your
>system, you can download one of a variety of utilities that will scan
>for and allow you to remove the files. We recommend Ad-aware, a free
>utility that you can find here:
>
>http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10121984.html
>
>Regards,
>Download.com Support

--

Fri 06 Dec.

Thanks for the reply. While I'm aware that certain companies are
including 3rd party software in downloads available from Download.com
and have been for some time, my question pertains to the policies
of Download.com itself, and whether your company (not someone elses)
is now forcing 3rd party wares onto user's drives as part of the
Download.com service. Please clarify. Thanks,

Jack.

- js.