That subject line has to be making every spam monitor scream!

I am rebuilding my computer. Today I tried to download PDF Creator at SourceForge. AVG was an incipient attachment that refused to go away. I flipped both groups off. CNET had two lice stuck to another PDF (free) download. I thought I shook them, but hopefully, did it in the Uninstall section of Windows.

I might tolerate this aggressive intrusion, but the main reason for doing my re-install was to clean out uninvited crap. And, I hate doing new computers. I still have to get AVG out of another computer--and I have no idea how it got there. A search has revealed that AV nuisance to be more than happy to infest a computer. G** knows! They are experts in the subject.

Anyway, back to the subject. Or, more specifically, why I am here. Posting. ...

It's a question???

Also, I found a wonderful pdf creation program (group). I do need to play with it more. But if others are anxious, like me, just add "24.org" to the subject.

I do this for a living, if I find a program becomes too intrusive e.g. "AVG Free", I find something else to move to e.g. "MS Security Essentials" is far less irritating and I dont get loads of people phoning me and asking me if AVG is still free (every bloody year). I dont blame the end-users, I blame AVG for making it so difficult to upgrade to the latest version (that they are hassling you to do) and still keep the free version.

As far as CNET and Download.com (owned by CNET) are concerned - they are a bunch of scummy arseholes. They actually peddle Malware and shitware to people now (I wont provide links obviously). Avoid their website at all costs and find somewhere else to download the program.

Its basically routine nowadays to have to "un-tick" some bit of "free" shitware with almost every free piece of software on the market now e.g. all Adobe products.

Also I would suggest uninstalling every single item installed that has the word "bar" in it, if its a toolbar its junk at best and malware at worst.

The days of easily installing good-quality free software without shit being bolted on has gone I am afraid - you now have to be far more careful when installing things than just 2-years ago.


Andy

You have reminded me that I also need to update my installation of PDF Creator.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

I chose to do the custom "install", as it is now a requirement to avoid shitware being installed.

A little further through the installation I came across the "AVG" section. If you click on "custom" and then dont tick any of the 3 boxes underneath, you an avoid and AVG products being installed.

I did the obligatory restart and I can confirm that there are no AVG products on my PC.

I hope this helps.

PS:

AVG Remover can be downloaded her to remove all of the stuff that does not get removed when you uninstall.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities


Andy

I recently had to rebuild Win7/etc on this desktop after an self-induced power loss (don't ask). When I went to download the current version of PDF Creator from Sourceforge, I found the same thing...what used to be an optional ask.com toolbar (or something like that) turned into an offer you literally cannot refuse from AVG. Luckily, I found an older copy of PDF Creator on my data drive. Whew.

You can, I just did


Andy

me too! i needed pdf creator too...it wasnt that hard to "just say no!"




whats wrong with toolbars?

http://www.laughingatdumb.com/wp-conten ... 04/447.jpg

That is most unfortunate, that PDF Creator can be downloaded without intrusive garbage ware. They (Sourceforge) have not cleared the problem, and obviously invited it. I will need to get AVG Removal Tool.

I didn't need any pesticides, nor repellents, to get a very nice application from the Woolies at PDF24.org.

My conspiracy theory brain simply will not relinquish the thought that an unnamed third entity has twisted AVG into destroying the competition for return favors. As it is, I can easily bet that AVG is in financial earthquake straits. Both Norton and McAfee pulled the same sort of crap before they started sliding.

Sourceforge themselves will not be to blame, the hosted project however maybe. You should contact them about the issue. If you do not like how the software comes packaged then download the source and compile it yourself. The source will not include the propreitary AVG so will be the cleanest build you can get.

Moving to Linux gets you away from all this crap so I really would suggest it longer term.

That's right. A second way might be to simply read first, think twice, click third. And stay on M$, of course

You carry on paying your Microsoft tax if you want.

Compiling code has been a problem for me since 1971. I will suffer a bit of AutoLISP for something I really need, but grew tired of the game when M$ 6.22 lost favor. Bunt with Tar all you want. I am glad you can.

Re, Entity X, Y, Z, or Whoever, the curious can check with PDFForge (and the others) to see if William, et al, respond to the complaints. I am quite happy with my Woolies alternative.