“For several years, Oracle has been bundling the Ask toolbar with its Java software for Windows PCs, often using deceptive methods to convince customers to install the unwanted add-on,” Ed Bott reports for ZDNet.
“With the latest release of Java for the Mac, Oracle has begun bundling the Ask adware with default installations as well, changing homepages in the process,” Bott reports. “The unwelcome Ask extension shows up as part of the installer if a Mac user downloads Java 8 Update 40 for the Mac. In my tests on a Mac running that latest release of OS X, the installer added an app to the current browser, Chrome version 41. (In a separate test, I installed Java using the latest version of Safari, where it behaved in a similar fashion.)”
“As with its Windows counterpart, the Java installer selects the option to install the Ask app by default,” Bott reports. “A casual Mac user who simply clicks through the dialog boxes to complete the installation will find the app installed and enabled in their browser, with the New Tab page changed to one with an Ask search box.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “bugsbunny” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: Ugh. Come on, Larry! You know that Steve would roast your nuts on an open fire if you tried this when he was alive.
Don’t use Java and complain vociferously when developers require its use. If you’re forced to use Java, read all installation prompts thoroughly (best practice at all times, for all software anyway)!
Just checked and I don’t have Java installed and haven’t missed it. I can’t remember when I uninstalled it, but it’s more than a year ago and maybe two
Shabby tricks like this one only redouble my determination to avoid Java.
So, who bought out Larry, or is Larry just plain senile.
As I point out below, Oracle has been pulling this dirty, money grubbing trick on Windows victims since 2013. Ed Bott at ZDnet, who wrote the article noted above, was the first to note Oracle’s trick being pulled on Windows victims:
A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java updates
Ed has also been a great help to those of us who work in the Mac security community!
Larry needs even more billions.
But I will not willingly support Larry or Oracle.
I need Java for one mission critical application.
So nice of Oracle to lower the mac experience down to the level of a typical win PC.
Dirt Bags.
Use it and avoid the crap:
Control-click the installer app.
Find:
/Java\ 8\ Update\ 40.app/Contents/Resources/JavaAppletPlugin.pkg
Launch that and install java sans BS.
Yup, this works. I just had to set up a network installer and this was the solution. This often will work when a Mac installer is an .app, and not a .pkg, BTW.
This is EXCELLENT advice. It has been found that even if you UNcheck installing the ‘Ask Toolbar’ adware with Java, at least part of it is STILL installed anyway. Gee thanks.
Totally greedy and asinine of Oracle. Note that they’ve been pulling this evil stunt on Windows victims since the fall of 2013. Now they’ve spread their disease (as if constant Java security holes weren’t enough) to Mac users. 😛
Oracle sucks.
re MDN’s take…
I think this is one occasion where we can allow a “What would Steve have done/said?” 🙂
Sheesh!
Do they think we are Lenovo buyers????
Not on my Mac!!!
Lenovo users lawyer up over hole-filled, HTTPS-breaking Superfish adware
At least one lawsuit has been filed and one investigation has begun.
This story didn’t break at ZDNet. It broke two days ago at The Safe Mac, run by my colleague Thomas Reed with the help of Rich Trouton.
Ugh. I have to use Adobe products for work. No I can’t use the Mac Only alternatives because they lack specific features I require. One thing I despise about Adobe’s software is that the Creative Cloud subscription service which is Adobe’s DRM, requires Java. It’s the only reason I run Java. This just ticks me off. I wish Apple would go back to their own version of Java to insulate its users from this garbage. When Apple included Java and managed its updates, it was a lot easier. But now, like the abomination that is Flash, Java has its own update software and it doesn’t work well and tricks you into doing things you shouldn’t do, like installing crapware.
Here all start complaining!!!
http://bugreport.java.com/bugreport/main.jsp At the bottom under “Report an Issue” from the drop down select “Comments and/or Suggestions” and write away!
If thats not enough for you send the CEO’s an email as well!! mark.hurd@oracle.com and safra.catz@oracle.com they seem to hold a joint CEO positions.
Been there, done that. Oracle doesn’t care. At one point they had an estimate 58 known security holes in their Java plugin and they SAT on them for MONTHS. Oracle has ruined Java and all signs point to it staying that way.
But by all means, give it another try! Meanwhile, this bombardment of bad publicity over their adware attack may well force them to take a look around, the lazy scallywags! 😡
“You know that Steve would roast your nuts on an open fire if you tried this when he was alive.”
Hahaha…love the roast your nuts take! 😛
Everyone should pay for oracle software by mailing a check wrapped around a dog doo-doo and see how they like that opt-out treatment.
This just gets better:
Bite my shiny metal Ask: Java for OS X crapware storm brewing
Thanks, Oracle, for another reason to ditch your software
Ready to say ‘uncle’ yet Oracle?