Comments on: Apple upgrading Safari, even where it’s not installed

By: ServerGuys SMB Network & Security Blog » Blog Archives » A Bad Apple In The Barrel?

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:44:00 +0000

[...] their existing client base to their advantage. If you didn’t know, check Martin McKeay’s post about this. If you are running Apple’s software updater, they decided you need to bloat your system [...]

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:40:28 +0000

Roger,

I never said it was required, just that it was a sneaky way for Apple to get it on people’s computers. Most trojan’s aren’t required either, they just find sneaky ways to get on your computer, which is exactly what Apple’s done with Safari.

Martin

By: Roger Mercer

Roger Mercer — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:06:52 +0000

Oh, by the way, I checked, and you do have the option to not download Safari. It isn’t forced onto your computer.

I didn’t realize that until I tried a friend’s computer. I don’t have Windows on mine.

By: Roger Mercer

Roger Mercer — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:04:01 +0000

Apple should admit that this is a big a mistake and apologize. Still, I must admit I prefer Safari for its speed, lean lines, simplicity and power, much of which is hidden until you delve into preferences.

For example, Safari tells me that I left the “d” out of admit when I first typed it, above.

By: Lori MacVittie

Lori MacVittie — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:28:42 +0000

Meh. In all my years in the press I tried to ignore market share statistics because it’s too easy to manipulate them and it’s nearly impossible to get a clear understanding of what it’s based on - actual sales? downloads? installations? contractual agreements?

Microsoft used to generate market share of IE based on the total number of Windows installs because, after all, IE is distributed by default with Windows. Software companies tack a brand name onto products and then report sales/market share based on the branding rather than individual products.

You’re right in that this is likely a marketing tactic to increase the alleged market share of Safari, but here’s hoping that people are smart enough to see through such tactics.

Lori

By: Adrian Lane

Adrian Lane — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:11:38 +0000

Evil? No. Dastardly? Absolutely! This type of behavior drives me nuts. It shows a complete contempt for their user base, both in the sneaky way it is deployed, and the assumption of my computer system resources without permission. And as many of the pieces of software introduce new security issues, it’s reckless to distribute add-ons without permission. Of course, they will only stop after someone writes a virus to exploit the junk they dumped onto their customers machines.