A brief one tonight, and a rant.
Normally all new and untested software I download is installed into a virtual machine. It’s gotten to the stage now where you can’t trust anyone it seems. 
Occasionally though, I admit, if I know or know of the developer through a trade organization, forum or contact I’ll install into a main machine and not virtual.
I did so tonight and the company concerned should be bloody ashamed of themselves for installing – hereby known on this blog – CRAPBAR – into Internet Explorer without my permission or giving me the option to choose not to have it installed in the installer or documenting it’s installation in the install doc’s (yes, I actually do read those).
I have Google’s toolbar installed, my own decision. Why do I need some shady piece of net junk made by a developer of no fixed genetic value as well?
Said Micro ISV got a stern warning and this applies now to anybody who thinks this is OK and yours truly confirms they are doing it.
That warning is this. Cut it out or I’ll name the product here.
It’ll be labeled “CRAPBAR” along with the company or your own name if not trading as a company and I’ll make sure it gets on page one of Google for your search terms – and that’s no idle threat.
I’ve got nothing against revenue models for people trying to earn a buck, but this is surreptitious and this one is identified as Spyware by some sources.
In addition, this isn’t freeware, this guy is marketing a 30 day trial download, so why the additional crap?
It’s simple. Just ask the user – OK?
The ISV has seven days to address this by placing a warning in his installer or I’ll name and article him here. That simple. Not a move that’ll win me to many friends I might add – but screw it! What gives a person the idea that they have the right to violate any part of a users system in this manner?
We’ll see if he calls my bluff in seven days. I have a gut feeling he will. 
Scott Kane
Good call, Scott.
Now I can see a use for toolbars in private distribution, or perhaps as part of a free application, but always give the user the option. Messing with Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc is really not on.
I remember a trend several years ago where some applications would attempt to rewrite your Internet Explorer settings, defaulting their site as your homepage, changing security settings, or worse.
Please people, stick with Microsoft best practices for installers. It gives us ALL a bad name and damages trust in independant software in general.
G’day Mike,
Oh yeah! I remember the home page redirect shennigans too, in fact it’s pretty much the same deal. I was pretty disgusted as I know this developer through association. He’s not responded to my email as of yet, so I’ll see what happens by next Sunday before going any further.
Be fair. See if you can raise a note to this ISV directly.
Some ISV’s may see these bundles as an opportunity for extra cash. However if an ISV is that desperate I don’t think they’re going to have enough downloads in order to make that cash, and the damage to reputation will be hard to undo.
I highly recommend ISV’s invest in a good installer – it’s hardly rocket science to give a user the option to install the bundle…
Hi Mike,
Oh yes, I have sent him an email. Two in fact. He’s not responding and not done anything to alter the installer as of a check last night. I’m going to give him some more time. As I said – I actually know this person, though not well.