A consumer advocacy group is blasting RealNetworks for installing adware and other software without properly notifying its users. In a report published Thursday, StopBadware.org faults the latest version of RealPlayer for secretly installing its Rhapsody Player Engine during the RealPlayer installation.
"RealPlayer 11 does not disclose that it installs Rhapsody Player Engine, and does not remove the software when RealPlayer is uninstalled," Stopbadware says in the report. Rhapsody Player Engine is required to access RealNetwork's online music service. But because users are not told that they have installed the product it could become a liability, using up the computer's hard-drive space or processing power, or even creating a security risk for consumers if bugs are discovered in Rhapsody, said Maxim Weinstein, StopBadware's manager.
View: The full story @ InfoWorld
"RealPlayer 11 does not disclose that it installs Rhapsody Player Engine, and does not remove the software when RealPlayer is uninstalled," Stopbadware says in the report. Rhapsody Player Engine is required to access RealNetwork's online music service. But because users are not told that they have installed the product it could become a liability, using up the computer's hard-drive space or processing power, or even creating a security risk for consumers if bugs are discovered in Rhapsody, said Maxim Weinstein, StopBadware's manager.
View: The full story @ InfoWorld
What was wrong with malware?
Last edited by Skyfrog on 05 Feb 2008 - 20:34
Badware is just a mashup of the words "Bad" and "Software". What else would you call it? Bloatware is probably more apt, but the word bloatware doesn't convey the message that the software isn't following ethical practices.
good thing there aren't that many sites using it anymore.
Real player was sort of ok back in 1998 or around then. don't remember which version. but it started becoming bloatware later on. stopped using it. i rarely run into real media files anyway. but the real alternative uses the windows media player classic edition which rocks and it's very lightweight.
Haha dammit, you got it in before me! I remember seeing a really funny photo where someone stuck a huge "buffering" sign over a Realplayer sign on a building.
We throw virus writers and crackers in jail. Why can we not do the same to spyware writers? I think the world would benefit if everyone in the marketing industry were thrown in jail with the serial killers and rapists, and said serial killers and rapists were free to have their way with the marketeers.
If it doesnt get uninstalled then email Real about it to get it fixed. Simple.
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