Last week we wrote about how Apple was trying to push the Safari “update” on any computer with the Apple Software Update installed, regardless of whether Safari had ever been installed before on the machine. I don’t believe there was really anyone in our comments who thought that it was okay for Apple to do this, and now Mozilla has stepped forward with their thoughts on the topic.
Needless to say Mozilla isn’t too fond with how Apple is using the Software Update application to distribute Safari. Maybe they’re concerned with how this could affect their market share, but in the end it seems as though they are genuinely on the side of the consumer:
That’s a problem because of the dynamic I described above — by and large, all software makers are trying to get users to trust us on updates, and so the likely behavior here is for users to just click “Install 2 items,” which means that they’ve now installed a completely new piece of software, quite possibly completely unintentionally. Apple has made it incredibly easy — the default, even — for users to install ride along software that they didn’t ask for, and maybe didn’t want. This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices.
It’s wrong because it undermines the trust that we’re all trying to build with users. Because it means that an update isn’t just an update, but is maybe something more. Because it ultimately undermines the safety of users on the web by eroding that relationship. It’s a bad practice and should stop.
What I’m left wondering is how many people who install Safari for the first time this way will actually use it? Is Apple just looking for a number that they can boast as to how many computers have Safari installed, or will they actually be able to see a jump in market share as a result of their slightly deceitful practices? We’ll have to keep an eye on the browser stats next month and compare them to how they have performed in the past.
[parts of the image by flatrock]
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Tags: Freeware, Newly Released, Software, Windows, Apple, Mozilla, Safari
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Assuming they haven’t already thought about doing something like this, methinks that Apple may have just given all those talented virus writers their new method of distribution - either hack somebody’s software update process or create one that looks very similar. I suspect if Apple has success distributing Safari this way, we’ll see a massive outbreak of viruses pushed this way too. Even more so because my intuition says “the great unwashed” have probably set these software updaters as safe programs in their security software, potentially allowing them to avoid standard scans and usage restrictions.
That was precisely my thought, it gives two new attack vectors that most won’t think about which makes them very dangerous. One as you said Apple update could be hacked in a way to bring new updates that really are just trojans or similar to infect you machine. Also, just having Safari on your machine will give hackers a new browser to attack and considering how creative they are I doubt it will be long before exploits are found for it even if it’s not running.
So now who is the bad guy? All these years people talk about Microsoft (no I am not a Microsoft fan boy far from it) how they bundle Windows Media player with their OS for example, and now Apple seems to be doing the same thing where they force their browser on to people who didn’t even know that existed or couldn’t careless about it.
Why hasn’t anyone complained about the way that - for months - the updater has been trying to force iTunes on people? I’ve got Quicktime installed pretty much purely for the codec and plugin, but every other week I’m offered an update to Quicktime… or Quicktime+iTunes. A much bigger download and a program I have no use for.
I’ve clicked on “Ignore selected downloads” which works fine. Until the next month when the iTunes combo is a new version and therefore now I must be interested in it.
Oh, I also like the way the updater claims that Safari is the fastest browser on the PC. I seem to recall reading several articles recently which point to Firefox still being significantly faster, especially the (in fairness, unreleased) v3.
I am just glad i have switched to linux, and i dont have to deal with the rubbish that apple serves every now and them. Well thats nothing new, as far as Apple is concerned, cheating people with deceit.
But it’s not surprising…Apple has always been like that…bundled and advertised things. And yes, they should really do something about updating existing apps too, downloading the whole iTunes+QuickTime installer everytime is very Nero-like.
It’s not about what’s being installed on the computer at the factory (like Apple installing Safari before it ships) that’s in question. It’s the fact that they’re using an application that’s supposed to provide updates for already installed programs, to introduce a completely new program. In this case, they are using the Apple Software Updater to introduce Safari, something that the user does not have installed.
Initially that didn’t cross my mind, but when Mozilla said that this is bordering on Malware the first thing that I thought about was using this for virus distribution. Guess we’ll see just how good Apple is at writing secure Windows applications.
I would have, but to be honest whenever I install iTunes I also install QuickTime. So I haven’t ever noticed it happening before.
Time for a “Magic Carpet Ride”, send the Official Apple applications bye bye. I got rid of all my Apple software several years ago and haven’t ever had to be bothered with dealing with them.
“Kick Apple to the Curb” and utilize these fine applications instead.
Media Monkey (Itunes replacement)works with Ipods
http://fileforum.betanews.com/.....04522272/1
Quicktime Alternative (Quicktime Player replacement) plays any file Quicktime would, don’t check the MP3 add box though.
http://www.filehippo.com/downl.....ternative/
For those unfortunate enough to have bought and I-phone sorry your stuck with Itunes for updates of firmware. (Oh Well)
Together we can all send Mr. Jobs a message, “don’t try it buddy”
customers vote with their loyalty.
I’m a Bill Gates fan but I can’t groove to Steve Jobs and his nonsense known as “Apple”, but hey different strokes for different folks. I always say.
I don’t mind QuickTime if it could install without leaving a mess of short cuts (and secretly starting when Windows stars) all over my system. At least I get the option NOT to install Safari, cain’t say the same about QuickTime though with iTunes.
I think you may see a serge, at first, in browsers stats as some will be curious about it. It’s the long term to see for sure. Several months it will take to see the real results of this umm approach Apple is taking.
That’s what I was thinking as well. For some reason though it keeps running through my head that the surge is going to be rather large from this, but I don’t think that’s really going to be the case. I doubt it will be more than a 1% increase over last month, but I can’t stop thinking that it could be much more significant than that.
What will be even more interesting would be to see which browser it takes the market share away from: IE or Firefox.