I absolutely agree about the less than user-friendly approach of the spyware distributor, aided and abetted by the original software publisher (7Art). Anyone used to simply hit Return during the installation of ‘regular’ software stands a good chance of installing ‘bonus’ material of the spyware kind. Requiring an admin password for software that doesn’t need it (i.e., the screen saver, not the spyware) is bad manners and a clear sign of potential danger to the educated user.
Unfortunately, not everyone is sufficiently alert all of the time, so inadvertent installs will increase with this setup. Since the software involved seems to be exclusively freeware, at least you’re not paying for the VoiceFive privilege. Still, the main reason to mention Tetrault’s experience was to point out that it’s apparently possible to install the main software of a 7Art package while avoiding that of bonus material like this spyware.
Of course, the main importance of this issue in this tabnabbing week is the addition/improvement of yet another route for distributing malware, and in that sense Intego’s alert is appreciated.
