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keifer.street
New Participant
August 5, 2023
Answered

Adobe Reader Tries to Trick Users Into Having McAfee Installed

  • August 5, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 2651 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
    Abambo
    Braniac
    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
    New 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
    try67
    Braniac
    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
      jane-e
      Braniac
      August 5, 2023

      @keifer.street 

       

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

       

      Jane

        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Braniac
        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
        New Participant
        August 5, 2023
        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
        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Braniac
        August 6, 2023

        I agree it's their plan and I don't like it, but it's not hidden--that's why I don't call it a "trick".

        David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        Eric Dumas
        Eric DumasCorrect answer
        Braniac
        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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