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keifer.street
Participant
August 5, 2023
Answered

Adobe Reader Tries to Trick Users Into Having McAfee Installed

  • August 5, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 2672 views

The title says it all. I'm not the first to post this and I won't be the last, but this is an example of a dark pattern.

 

When one searches for Adobe Reader, the prompt has tiny text to have the McAfee Security Scan Plus - but what's worse... IT'S SELECTED BY DEFAULT, requiring users to see it and opt-out explicitly.

 

You've lost a lost of trust with me, Adobe. Please change this not to be selected by default. I don't know what contract you have with McAfee, but attempting to fool otherwise non-eagl e eyed users into having this bloatware installed alongside your product is immoral and wrong.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Eric Dumas

Hi,

I recommend you suggest this update to https://acrobat.uservoice.com to add your voice to this change so the developers make the change.

5 replies

M
Marc36511149kyqw
Known Participant
April 3, 2024

What an insanely malicious and dishonest move from Adobe. Why would you do this to us? Is anyone with a basic set of morals still working at Adobe?

    Abambo
    Community Expert
    AbamboCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 5, 2023

    It's no more selected by default. But yes, it's unfortuneate that Adobe has or needs this sponsoring contract. 

    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
    K
    keifer.streetAuthor
    Participant
    August 5, 2023

    It is selected by default. 100% it is. I just tried to install Adobe Reader on an extra laptop I had five minutes ago and it was selected by default. Your reply is incorrect.

    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 6, 2023

    You're both correct (and incorrect): It depends on your region.

    In the EU it's not selected by default, due to laws forcing an opt-in for such offers.

    In the US (and probably elsewhere) it might be.

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 5, 2023

      @keifer.street 

       

      I've moved your post from Adobe Acrobat to Adobe Acrobat Reader.

       

      Jane

        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Community Expert
        Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 5, 2023

        The installer had this option for years. It's not a trick since it's right in front of the person. Users need to pay more attention to their installs--if they did there wouldn't be a need for virus software!  

         

        However I do agree that it should be off by default. But it's "all about the Benjamins"!

         

        David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        K
        keifer.streetAuthor
        Participant
        August 5, 2023

        [Moderator deleted private information. Please do not post private information like e-mails and phone numbers]

         
         
         
        It is a trick though. I’ve been in computer science and IT for 15 years and I needed to quickly view a PDF and missed it the first time I ran the installer. 
         
        When I saw it was installing McAfee, I immediately interrupted the service and went back to get the baseline version. 
         
        If I barely caught it, that means 95% of average users didn’t. And that’s their plan. 
        Eric Dumas
        Community Expert
        Eric DumasCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        August 5, 2023

        Hi,

        I recommend you suggest this update to https://acrobat.uservoice.com to add your voice to this change so the developers make the change.

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