see for a discussion of how OpenCandy operates, including the host computer scan it performs during EVERY installation of the parent software, in this case, Foxit. FOXIT READER FREE EDITION SOFTWAREThe problem is caused by Foxit Corporation's decision (with v6.1) to add the OpenCandy Adware package, which has been resoundingly criticized in many software forums and blogs. This is an important topic that I believe deserves attention from Foxit users. FOXIT READER FREE EDITION INSTALLI prefer to install software of which I can be reasonably sure my personal information and data will not be abused, and if there's advertising support for something, I prefer to make my own decisions as well. One can argue whether or not Search Protect by Conduit is Malware or not.Īt the very least it is, to me, an unwanted program, an unwanted homepage and an unwanted search engine. There is a screen to opt out of Search Protect by Conduit, after you have picked all your Foxit setup options. So, it really is user error and was auto-pilot / inattention on my part. I was told this is normal and not malicious. I ran MBAM malware bytes anti malware and it found one instance of open.candy in a temp folder from during installation. You need to pick custom and uncheck the conduit. Install Search Protect, Recommended by Foxit ReaderĮxpress = Install Search Protect to set my homepage, default search and new tabs to conduit search for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome and to block other software's attempts to change my browser's homepage and search settings.Ĭustom = Install Search Protect and set my homepage, search default, and new tabs to Conduit Search. This is where it tripped my inattention and will get those who have installed Foxit dozens or hundreds of times. If you don't read the fine print thinking you are already in the custom install and opted out of everything negative you wouldn't want. There is a new dialog box with the foxit logo and label " Install Search Protect recommended by Foxit Reader " with Express or Custom. (note, there is no opt-in or opt-out for Foxit Cloud) You pick your options. It goes straight to the two screen with options for Foxit components and Foxit additional tasks. With the newest version, after the EULA, you do not get the dialog for the toolbar/homepage/search engine change. So, with the old Foxit installed, I let it check for updates, download the latest version, uninstall the old one ( kept on taking screenshots ). FOXIT READER FREE EDITION PLUSNote that in that particular toolbar dialog, it is visually identified that it is a third party add-on with different logo plus a toolbar visually shown and you have three tick boxes making you aware that are going to be three changes. Then a couple more screens that I have always left yes. After that you proceed to the two detailed setup screens for Foxit components and Foxit Additional Tasks. In the first steps after agreeing to the EULA, there is a dialog for Toolbar, Ask search engine and Adk homepage with three checkboxes. I started with my older version of Foxit. To better understand what happened exactly yesterday morning on my primary system with Foxit when I updated it I went ahead and uninstalled the latest Foxit (interestingly it says all components couldn't be removed) and started over, taking screen shots along the way. I had an email discussion with the editor of my favorite download site, prompted by my negative review and calling out of Foxit including Malware (as a warning to other users). Well, Foxit just dropped off the podium and the top 10 list. FOXIT READER FREE EDITION UPDATEPlus, now I have to tell everybody not to update Foxit any longer, then seek another solution, more work that I did not need.įoxit had become the #1 recommendation against Acrobat bloat. So now I have to get my system double checked. It seems there are two uninstallers in Program Features, but guess what, not all files could be removed. I did not authorize the services of "search protect by conduit" to be installed on my system, monitor all my browsers and internet activity, etc. I can't believe Foxit went to the dark side and now comes with malware. even though I declined the changes, every few minutes the same alerts came back. FOXIT READER FREE EDITION UPGRADEDid a custom upgrade (no word plugin, no spell check, no in browser preview) and while it was doing its thing, I open another browser and my homepage has changed?! Then I get prompts on my system (thank you Winpatrol) that additional software has been installed, startup program added, some cloud conduit added. Yes, unbelievable, but Foxit now comes with Malware !!!!
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