almost there
Take it another step further and add any application that by default installs other PUA then for once we can kick Oracle for their continued inclusion of other rubbish with Java.
Microsoft will tighten the screws on scummy developers who use scare tactics to frighten people – particularly non-tech savvy folks – into paying for unnecessary software. Think applications that offer to scan your Windows PC for free, and then – conveniently – claim your computer is under attack by viruses, or has serious …
"Programs must not display alarming or coercive messages or misleading content to pressure you into paying for additional services or performing superfluous actions"
... such as tricking users into upgrading their OS?
And this: "This requirement aims to protect customers from programs that present aggregate 'error' results with no specific details, without providing customers with the ability to assess and validate the so-called errors."
Have Microsoft looked at their own error messages recently? 0x16c0029
This is comical, I agree this is a good thing, but Microsoft, please sort your own shit out while you're at it.
"Can you elaborate on 0x6c0029? A quick search on the G only returns your comment."
Gladly, it was a made up error code reminiscent of MS error codes. Meant to highlight the point that a bunch of hex characters tells us nothing. While the error code may be made up, the point is extremely valid, reference: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/help/security-product-error-codes
"it's almost completely useless as the sole output of en error message."
Agreed, and as is common with Microsoft, it means they have to document the errors online, as in the example I gave. I don't know what MS are doing with their web development, but the amount of redirects that end in 404s is unreal on Microsoft sites, so then you end up having to view a cached page on Google (if you're lucky).
Just incase people think I'm exaggerating, I recently (enough to get this out of my history) signed up for MS Security Alerts, and upon submitting the form it redirected me to this gem: https://www.microsoft.com/en-GB/security/dd252949.aspx
Which, if you Google[1] for dd252949.aspx, will helpfully tell you the page was once titled ''Thank you for registering" - so presumably my registration worked?
It is a strange world we live in where all of this (rubbish errors, data slurping, half-written software) is considered OK.
[1]https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:7jzhIgS2YxkJ:https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/dd252949.aspx+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-b
It is not Microsoft's job to keep the uninformed from installing stupid stuff, anymore than it is not your bank's job to keep you from buying stupid stuff. You can ruin your computer, and you can ruin your bank account. All your choice.
Good excuse to add a toll gate to skim software sales on the Windows platform with a 'Store' tho.
This post has been deleted by its author
I must have spent a year trying to stop the Windows Update from nagging me about upgrades from 7 to 10. They still haven't given up surreptiously installing telemetry software on my W7 box.
Instead of all these announcements/pronouncements, lets just get back to:
These are the updates and this is what each one will do to your machine.
Click on the Accept box on each update if you want it installed.
We will supply you with a complete list of updates applied, reasons, effects, and possible remedies.
If Microsoft force people to patch their machines then they're "screwing the user out of their choices". If they don't then the users get all their files encrypted by a script kiddie from wherever and it's all Microsoft's fault "for not keeping their users safe".
Imagine if Google were to put an end to all the fake virus warnings telling Android users that their SIM cards were going to melt unless they downloaded and installed (insert antivirus/cleaner/battery-saver app name here)
Google would lose millions of dollars overnight.
This post has been deleted by its author
Agreed!
Avast has made a ton of money using fear, uncertainty and doubt as well.
What is very odd about the whole issue with CC Cleaner being found with a backdoor as Avast was purchasing it was that they released an updated version but used the same code signing key as the infected CC Cleaner.
Avast has now been caught slipping their free AV program in with CC Cleaner and installing even when the user unchecked the box to opt out.
A lot of changes to Avast over the last 3 years, none of them good.
...Windows Defender will kill anything that tries to get you to install software by scare tactics.
Turn off Windows Firewall and Defender.
Hmm look like Windows needs to be nuked then as this "Security Centre" thing keeps telling me my machine is at risk if I don't use this software RIGHT NOW.
>"evidence eliminator"
The early free versions actually did what it said on the tin. The problems arose later once the authorities had decided it was only used by people who had something to hide...
To some extent the same has happened with registry cleaners, uninstallers, file/disk recovery utilities and other PC cleanup utilities (especially those that claim to clean up after malware); the more they have been marginalised, the more pushy the advertising and harder it is to determine which are the good one's and which are to be avoided.
Urrr:
"This crackdown will hit apps that trick people into "performing other actions such as taking a survey, downloading a file, signing up for a newsletter, etc" in order to remedy bogus problems with their computers."
--> bottom of article "Sign up for our newsletter, get IT in your inbox"......