Participant

Answered

Adobe flash player installs McAfee

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
December 14, 2017
13 replies
23594 views

I have just updated adobe flash player since my browser requested it and found that adobe has installed McAfee without me opting in to do so. I am furious about it, and can only refer to a previous discussion point copied in here. Why does Adobe do this it will drive customers away in their droves.

I have experienced this as well.

I'm not going to give any screen shots. What I am going to do, is say that I've been using photoshop since 5, and been a creative cloud subscriber and defender since the first version. I got an email from adobe to install a flash update, which I did, after navigating to adobe on my own to make sure there was no malware attack. I then installed a flash update, from your site. A day later, mcafee is installed on my computer, without any permission given by me.

I don't give a flying f- if you have an 'opt out' option in there, and it was somehow hidden by ad blocking. As any designer who is worth their salt knows, opt out is basically just a way of funneling 90% of users to an option while maintaining an argument that you aren't 'forcing' the option. I'm a paying customer who loves and evangelizes your product, and you just stabbed me in the back. F- you. If this ever happens again, I'm done. End this **** right now. You know it is morally indefensible, no matter what the economic reasoning by some f-wit manager. No, I'm not going to be reasonable. This is not acceptable behavior. Fix it.

Download install

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer jeromiec83223024

I've personally followed up on several dozen reports like this. Given sufficient information, I am always happy to follow-up again.

That said, every time I look at this, it consistently comes down to a situation where a third-party browser plug-in (ad-blocker, anti-tracking plugin, etc.) caused the JavaScript on the page to execute in a way that was different than what was actually written (e.g. they blocked the UI with the opt-out), or the software was downloaded through a third-party UI (a browser add-on manager, etc.), which linked directly to the assets that had the optional bundled offers.

In general, the following always works:

Always get Flash Player directly from Adobe, at https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
If you use browser plug-ins that interfere with the normal operation of the page, you'll want to whitelist them or disable those plug-ins temporarily

Once you have Flash Player installed, you can completely avoid this workflow (and the possibility that any bundles get installed), by doing the following:

Choose Allow Adobe to Install Updates (recommended)
Future updates to Flash Player will be installed automatically. You'll never see a bundled offer unless you need to reinstall.
Use a browser that includes Flash Player as a built-in component
In these instances, there's nothing to install, and updates are handled by the browser or operating system
- IE and Edge on Win8+
  Both include Flash Player as a built-in component, and updates are delivered through Windows Update
  There's nothing separate to download or install
- Google Chrome on all platforms
  Flash Player is a built-in component of Chrome. Updates are delivered by Chrome's update mechanism

In the very unlikely event that you encounter a situation where the wrong payload was deployed (i.e. you opted out, but got the bundled offer anyway), I'd be more than happy to investigate.

The following information, and your geographical location would be helpful.

Adobe uses a global Content Distribution Network (CDN) to deliver content. Knowing the geography and language in play might help me track down any highly localized problems with a specific CDN node or translated page.

The following information about your environment is also always helpful and appreciated:

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1195540

Show previous replies

C

calvino39855730

Participant

I always chose the Opt Out option, and still occasionally have to uninstall McAfee on my wife's computers, and I finally solved the issue by allowing Adobe to automatically Flash updates. But all this whining is ridiculous. I've been working with PCs since the early 90s, and bundling one programs with hardware or other software has always been a valuable revenue stream for software developers. What we see today is truly nothing compared to the old wild wild west days. Back then, you'd find half a dozen programs in your installed list to uninstall for every program you actually wanted. Talk about registration issues. I'd have to wipe a c: drive and reinstall the OS at least once a year. The amount of money Adobe likely makes from its strategic arrangement with a reputable company like McAfee, even providing a clearly marked and explained Opt Box, far outweighs the 4-5 Forum Posts a year they have to read and respond to from spoiled consumers. Adobe aren't angels, but this is not a case where they've done anything unethical or unscrupulous. If you install McAfee, as I too have inadvertently done in the past, it's your own fault, as it was mine.

T

Tim Stowe Photo

Participant

Clearly, it is your own fault, as the options are in fact displayed right there in front of you as you view the installer.

That said... It's lame, Adobe. Lame.

GIANT YELLOW "INSTALL NOW" BUTTON

little teeny "uncheck this if you don't want this crapware!" boxes.

S

sah59784865

Participant

Yup, exactly!

BuckyB

Participant

That happened to me too. I have all the safety I need and I checked no. I had to uninstall it. I just needed it to contact my senators!

ridhij4208356012135538

Adobe Employee

Hi,

McAfee is an optional third-party offering. By default it is opted-in. When downloading Flash Player from adobe.com you have the option to not install McAfee:

If you do not want the same you can opt for background updates, where the latest version of Flash Player would be installed within 24 hours of release of new version.

Thanks!

B

brakerbrakerAuthor

Participant

That is not an answer, you are merely explaining what you do. The point is what you are doing is morally indefensible and goes against every form of good customer engagement and trust. It is totally wrong. Change it, or lose customers and customer confidence.

Totally idiotic decision to do this!