Why, why WHY *must* I install McAfee when updating Flashplayer?

[Dami11]

I am strugglling to KEEP McAFEE OFF MY COMPUTER and this doesn't help!  I have my own security system and I resent your foisting your "marketing partner" on me without my permission.  Please stop!

[Guest]

Jerome,

I had a similar experience to the others here. I downloaded Flash using Firerfox 35.0.1 with the ABP, NoScript and Scrapbook add-ons enabled. I've done this update numerous times previously and thought I knew what to expect. I've tried various suggestions on this forum but at no time been offered the option to not install McAfee when using Firefox.

Interestingly, if I go to http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/  in Chrome and select Windows 7 / FP 16 for firefox I'm offered (pre checked) the option to install McAfee

If I browse to the same page in Firefox and make the same choices I'm offered a free trial of Lightroom 5 instead. Disabling all my Firefox add-ons makes no difference.

[Guest]

Reading posts here it seems Adobe plainly do not want to provide details for removing McAfee software, and do not mind the time, effort and inconvenience caused to computer users by forcing McAfee installation without an option to avoid so doing. It should be obvious to any competent computer technician that operation of multiple security programs can cause computer difficulties. These difficulties are additional to Adobe's disrespect for choice and computer users' correspondence (see Wikipedia, UDHR 1948, the basis of laws for most governments). Adobe's conduct suggests they would have no difficulty installing products that "call home" with user data, without authorisation and contrary to other laws than the one mentioned below, civil and criminal.

Adobe are bound to be aware that failure to update Flash player stops the playing of browser videos from sources around the world, with browser warnings stating security vulnerabilities if Flash is not updated. Accordingly, to continue receiving video like that on Vimeo and YouTube, the upgrading of Flash in response to warnings of Flash security vulnerabilities is mandatory. That mandatory aspect of recent Flash security warnings to upgrade, an upgrade that users allow, is no excuse to insert other products or programs into a user's system, especially products an informed user does not want near their system. The proof of this position, if any proof is required, is that users do install Flash as part of their wish to see video, but have not sought to independently install McAfee software.

It is time for adobe to stop breaching statutory provisions, and start respecting user wishes to choose their own sftware and computer configuration.

LEGAL NOTICE 01Feb2015

To the executive officers, UK and international, of Adobe group of companies, and in particular their business operations departments responsible for installing McAfee software at the same time as updating generic Flash software...

You have, without my authorisation or consent, installed on my Windows 7 based computer systems your McAfee products with the result that you have impaired the operation of my computer as I had configured it, prevented and hindered access to simple and complete removal of the software you installed, and caused me time and effort when attempting to uninstall your McAfee software: all contrary to section 2 of the Computer Misue Act 1990 (UK).

You must within 48 hours publish here clear unambiguous instructions for complete and effective removal of all your McAfee software from my systems, including your files, data, cookies and registry entries, AND must confirm that you have stopped downloading unauthorised software at the same time as mandatory updates to generic Flash software. YOUR FAILURE TO DO SO SHALL WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE LEAD TO LEGAL PROCEDINGS in the UK courts, if nececessary including extradition proceedings for executives to appear for answer to proof.

Mike A

Refer to forum registration for contact details.

[Guest]

Thank you for all this information--I was wondering how I ended up with McAfee Security Scan Plus on my computer.  My problem is that I already use the regular McAfee (it is part of my provider's service) and it seemed to be screwing up the updating process for that program.  In any case, I am generally pretty careful about downloads etc, but I have trusted Adobe to not use bundled services for years so I just did automatic updates.  In any case, it is not really acceptable to tell users that they have to uninstall a program that they never asked for or even knew about.  That's the sort of thing one would expect from a fly by night or suspicious program, not a big and supposedly respectable company like Adobe.  Just saying...

[Authentic7]

I just simply want to post another vote in the "I'm rather disappointed in adobe" over this one.  I just had to remove Macafee after a frustrating and unwanted install.

Adobe is a large, powerful and leading company. I have always trusted them at least do well by their customers (me) and on the whole provide a high quality product. These are commendable aspects of any company.  That said, any company setting trends for unwanted installs goes down in credibility and in my personal trust.  As others have stated on this forum, it is an intrusion, it is rude, and it should not happen with companies who provide a quality product.  As for weather it is lawful or not, who cares.  It is not illegal for me to curse in front of children, however common practice and moral conduct dictate that it's not really the right thing to do and parents/onlookers may get upset should i drop f-bombs all over their children.  The same is true here.

Be the Adobe many users have come to know and to love.  Avoid being the 3rd world, petty junk dealer.  The cheap buck will only hurt you.  Besides, making quality products has worked really well for you so far...  you get my money every month.

[allen.brown]

I have just completed my last ever Flash Player update.  I was made to install McAfee and, like the majority of people who have posted here, I already have an anti-virus I am perfectly happy with.  I have been forced to waste my time uninstalling McAfee and the irritation I felt has led me to waste more time by posting here.

Adobe have led me to the realisation that Flash really isn't necessary any more.  More and more sites are mobile-friendly which means removing Flash and replacing it with something more accessible.  Next time Flash tells me it is unsafe, I will just switch it off.  There may be some sites I won't be able to see but I doubt they will be sites I really need.

So goodbye Flash.  It was fun while it lasted but in the end you drove me away.

[Guest]

The same thing just happened to me, and now I can't get rid of McAfee Security Scan Plus. So I feel the same frustration and anger that a reputable software like Reader of Flash Player should be burdened with teh McAfee scam. I'm also equally disgusted that it installed without my consent.

This thing is, I know I unchecked the option-to-install-it box. I am very careful about not installing anything from McAfee, because I've had to wipe hard drives before to get rid of their software completely.

It doesn't show up in Add/Remove programs, and it doesn't show up in IObit Uninstaller, but when I try to install Adobe Reader of Flash Player updates, there it is -- intrusive, unwanted, and slowing things down so badly I think I'm going to die of old age before the upgrade completes.

McAfee Security Scan Plus is a rotten program. McAfee wants to foist it off on people because nobody would buy it. It's nothing but malware.

I so wish there were a way to contact Adobe and ask them to stop letting McAfee tack its malware on to Adobe downloads!!

[Guest]

This happened to me today as well, no prompts to opt out like I always do. And it just put Mcafee on my Computer without asking.

I saw both bars progressing so I knew immediately to go get it out.  But still this is underhanded.

[Stevo_M]

Just made an account to say this happened to me and is completely unacceptable. are there alternatives to adobe flash? Is it even relevant or necessary for a typical browsing experience? If so I'm going to remove it completely. Also, this Mike M. fellow is a huge dick and his belligerent defense of adobe is pathetic. They are clearly in the wrong. You can't just install software that can cause major conflicts on someones computer without so much as asking permission. There's no defending such practices.  Not to mention he came on strong with his first few posts straight up telling users they were blind or stupid and must have missed some imaginary check box. Then telling a user "enjoy your ip ban".....wow. What an asshole.

[Guest]

Hello, I am one of the many people seem to have registered on Adobe Communities purely to give negative feedback on this topic.

I just accidentally installed McAfee Security Scan onto my computer. I don't remember seeing an opt-out. I have uninstalled it now.

Given that previous threads on this same topic date back to 2010, I doubt my feedback will make any difference. After five years of complaints, why would Adobe bother to fix this now?

Note to moderators: Hope you're looking forward to the next five years of these threads, guys!

[jeffw80885692]

Well, This seems like a popular thread. I too registered specifically to complain. I am surprised that this thread hasn't been deleted or locked.

I booted up my computer and was welcomed by an "Update Flashplayer" notification in my browser.

If I post this screenshot properly you can see what I noticed, that there was a user agreement for McAfee but no opt out what so ever. This was the first page that I saw and you will notice that it does indeed say "Step: 1 of 3".

Clicking on the link for the user agreement lets you see that you are agreeing to install McAfee. You can clearly see the link above in the screenshot (http s:// get3.adobe. com /flashplayer /update /plugin/ -without the spaces).

I searched for a flashplayer update and was taken to the page that looks like this one except that it gives you the ability to opt out and the "Total size" down at the bottom is smaller.

Here is the "Step: 1 of 3" page at the link that I searched for (http s:/ /get .adobe. com/ flashplayer/)

Before you wonder about the unchecked "YES" box, I did that out of habit.

So this should end the discussion on if there was an opt out or not.

[larryanta]

Large companies like Adobe simply exist to maximize profit in my opinion.  There is likely some bean counter at Adobe who has run an optimization function that trades off upsetting customers versus improving their bottom line.  And guess what?  We lost.  The few (the many?) who abhor negative optioning like this can only spit and turn the page that Adobe just doesn't listen.

[larryanta]

...and further, it creates an atmosphere is mistrust in this company.  Adobe I hope you're listening.  STOP with the negative optioning.  It borders on being unethical.  You can be better than that.

[crateria]

The whole thing is bs anyways because I just did the latest install and I unchecked the box before download and it STILL installed McAfee.

So whether you leave it checked or uncheck the box, the download you get still installs McAfee either way because Adobe doesn't care, that's how they get their money.

[damaralromero]

Well, perhaps Adobe should learn from the Lenovo "incident" that they should better not install crapware from 3rd parties along with their stuff.

The few extra dollars they make will probably not pay for the loss of confidence among customers.

And perhaps we should rethink if we really need Flash at all.

[Guest]

Absolutely!  I have already rethought whether I need Flash - and I don't.  I simply email any site using Flash to tell them that I refuse to install Flash because of bundled crapware, and request that they use an alternative to Flash on their site.

It may take some time, but the impact on Adobe will eventually work.  In the meantime, I've changed to a 3rd party Acrobat creator and reader - and it's SO much faster than Adobe's 'original'.  maybe some 3rd party Flash players will emerge?

[gem4skis15]

On my Win 7/64 PC using Google Chrome browser, I allowed the automatic Flash update generated at boot, clicked the Update in Chrome, DL'd the crapware, clicked it, and allowed the User Account Control to run the DL.  I was never offered a click-box to avoid McCrappy, and had no notice of the trojan until a screen showed "installing Flash" & "installing mcAfee Security" trojan.

After the install I had to used Win7 Ctrl-Panel ... Uninstall to unload the stealth install.  McAffee might be fair security software, but I have already made my choice and find that multiple security tools are incompatible and cause more headaches and wasted time than I have to spare.

For that reason I will seek alternatives to Flash, and as other have suggested, write vendors asking for Flash implement graphics products that don't run stealth installs of crapware on unsuspecting users! 

Now I see why Google Chrome has dropped Flash support!  #AdobeFlashStealthCrapware

[timtak]

I agree with all those here who are expressing their displeasure at the attempted bundling of McAffee with Flash. I consider myself quite computer literate but the placement of the check box in the centre of the screen hides it in plain sight -- due to our attention being drawn off to the right to the proceed to download button -- such that even I, and many less computer literate others, have missed the check box and as others have noted it is time consuming to uninstall. Since my family members and I many computers I find myself un-checking, or almost forgetting to un-check McAfee frequently. It is very upsetting.

I was hoping for a Greasemonkey script or better a Firefox add-on that would automatically uncheck that box (and perhaps bundled software boxes but this is the only one that is bothering me at the moment (except perhaps Java and Ask? Or have they stopped doing that).

In the meantime there is this
http://superuser.com/questions/692999/how-can-i-prevent-mcafee-security-scan-from-being-installed-bu...

which creates a write protected folder preventing the installation of McAfee.

I hope someone develops an Add-on.

[Carm01]

So WHO exactly are the people that make these poor decisions to pre-check check boxes ?

Maybe there should be legislation about bundled 3rd party software boxes being UNCHECKED aside from the stated software being requested.

So once again who exactly are the people that make these business decisions?

After all @ $78/share stock prices I hardly think adobe needs the extra income.

Nothing more than cooperate greed if you ask me.

[rayf1975]

Having read some of the "it never happens" replies, I'd like to report that I did indeed uncheck the McAfee box, and it installed it anyway.  I was about as happy about this as you were, and uninstalled it before it ran once.  I have had issues with McAfee in the past, and have no desire to have it on any computer I have to maintain, mine or others.

[YossiD]

SOLVED - at least for now.

I had the same problem with no checkbox to clear and no warning. It looks like different people at different times are getting different screens.

Anyway I did a system restore to get rid of the Mcafee, and then after a lengthy-ish search I found this page with a link to these standalone installers.

I selected the MSI Installer for Windows Plug-in based browsers, and that did the trick. I now have Flash support in Firefox, Chrome, and Opera with no Mcafee on my computer. Interestingly, I have to click a play button in Opera (at least for the site I checked), but that's no big deal. Flash in IE is not working so I suppose I'd need to download a different installer, but as I rarely use IE I don't really care.

Here are those links in the clear:

‌www.pretentiousname.com/flash_links

www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

Hope this helps someone.

The credit goes to Leo at pretentiousname.com