Is Apple taking a 'Safari' into malware territory?
Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:51AM EDT
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Users and tech pundits howl in outrage as Cupertino tries to push its Web browser onto Windows users, with Mozilla's CEO sniping that Apple's move "borders on malware distribution practices." Did Apple do wrong?
But tempers flared when users noticed that Apple Software Update had also teed up Safari 3.1 for installation, even on systems that didn't already have Safari installed. If you click "Install" without paying attention, you'll get Safari whether you want it or not.
The controversy peaked on Friday, when the CEO of Mozilla—the company that distributes the open-source Firefox Web browser—fired a warning shot at Apple for essentially pushing Safari on Windows users:
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 mal ware 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. [From CNET News.com]
Of course, Mozilla CEO John Lilly isn't exactly a neutral observer here. Firefox competes with Safari for browser market share, so any Safari loss due to the controversy would be Firefox's gain.
That said, he's onto something—but not for the reason he thinks he is.
On the one hand, I do think it is up to users to be aware of what they're installing. In this case, the Safari installation is listed right there in the Software Update window, and skipping Safari is a simple matter of clearing the checkbox. Clicking "Install" without a second thought is like signing a contract without reading it—and you're not dumb enough to do something like that, right? (Right?)
Nevertheless, Apple did cross the line here. Its crime? Getting caught acting like a typical tech company, not the friendly, enlightened—and most of all, trustworthy—entity played by Justin Long in those smug, annoying "Apple vs. PC" ads.
I'm sure there was a big debate about the little Safari checkbox at Apple HQ, and it appears that in the end, gaining a bit more market share was deemed worth any loss in user goodwill.
And hey, that's business. But if you mistake Apple for your warm, fuzzy buddy on the basis of those folksy TV commercials, well... get ready for disappointment.
Related:
Mozilla CEO says Apple's Safari auto-update 'wrong' [CNET News.com]
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7 Posted by noahsark2us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse
I have not seen any update pushing Safari. I did, however, download it on purpose lately for my husband's PC. He was having problems running online games on IE, which were fixed instantly by using Safari. BTW, he hates Firefox. Competition FTW
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8 Posted by michaelpatton2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:18PM EDT Report Abuse
i have not been hit with this update yet, but i would take a safari install on my PC over an IE7 update or Google toolbar any day. i have had to fix several PC's that have used automatic update to install IE7, only to find that IE7 doesn't load our corporate intranet sites properly. and every user who thinks they're doing a good thing updating their java automatically gets a free gift of a google toolbar crowding their browser window. as a pc tech, mac user and an independent when it comes to the browser wars, i am in favor of apple's move here. a pc user will only get this update if they have already loaded itunes ,i.e., begun their apple assimilation ;) this may be that users' first look at another browser. if they hate it, whatever, at least they know they don't need IE to get the internet.
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9 Posted by icysapphire64 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
IE works just fine for me, thanks.
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10 Posted by blueyesoul1l on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
Safari is a junk browser. I'd soon use netscape navigator...lmaso...omg netscape is so bad dude...
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11 Posted by jweckler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse
I wont touch IE with a 10 foot pole and I do use both Safari 3.1 and Firefox. Just like anything on this planet they both have thier ups and downs. It is sad that Apple became a target for a simple offer you CHOOSE to pass up by unchecking the box in the UPDATE window, If you didnt do that or didnt see it well..........your ignorance is your problem not Apples.
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12 Posted by farstrider2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse
personally i dont enjoy firefox ui looks so windows 95, it crashes, adobe dosent support it for flash anymore & in an article recently it said that their not any more secure for the fact that phishers now can buy security certificates for all web browsers without a screen proses.
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13 Posted by surferduude132 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I have to agree with #8 posting. Most people are stuck in the stone age working on IE and well don't know any better. Pusing to give people a choice and find something better is a good thing, may be painful at first. But hey that is why the call it growing pains. I do alot of web codeing, and I can tell you IE has so many issue to the point that sometime yo have to code a whole seperate site to get it to work. But In my Opinion I love safari, but Firefox is better.
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14 Posted by farstrider2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse
personally i perfer Opera as a secondary browser
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15 Posted by farstrider2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse
personally i think opera is better
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16 Posted by farstrider2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Opera is better because they have had more experince 10 years of it!
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17 Posted by moekrohn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse
it cant get roboform!!! and it's wierd one more bad move by apple!!
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18 Posted by gabegerman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:05PM EDT Report Abuse
hey i like safari, it's allot better than all of the rest of the web browsers that i have tried out, only just after the update did i ever not like it because whenever i exit the browser it will have a problem (but not all the time) all I'm saying is that it works fine, sure it was a little pushy for apple to put it in there like that but your the one at fault for allowing it because your supposed to read everything you accept before you install something so no disappointment allowed it your own fault if you don't like it, because your the one that doesn't know how to read the update area.
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19 Posted by car_bra on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse
im an apple fan myself but do not use the safar web browser, im a firefox man through and through ie just stinks in my opinion, havent used netscrape since windows 95, i dont like opera...it feels like a cheapy rip off. safari just doesnt do it for me and i know there are tons of browsers out there but im gonna stick with firefox
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20 Posted by fjk33 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't see why this is a surprise to anyone. Apple has been piggybacking that annoying itunes onto Quicktime for years. Quicktime, a relatively small video playback piece of software will install that huge itunes program if you don't pay attention, so most people probably already know to watch out when they have to "install" any Apple updates anyway.
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21 Posted by cjack1314 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse
I am not a techie(?) but I never notice the safari when I downloaded my update. I do trust updates to on update not add data...I've always been suspicious of Apple, now it founded.
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22 Posted by o2cmefly on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm a Firefox user for life. :) I have always hated IE (all versions), Safari is too bland, I miss Netscape-no longer updated or supported :( , but have loved Firefox since it came out! And it just keeps getting better! I can't wait till Firefox 3 final release is out!
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23 Posted by davsandor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse
I think Safari functions infinitely better than IE, and about par with Firefox. Its looks are pretty bland.
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24 Posted by mmurphy65026 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse
That's how modern marketing works -- trick customers rather than educating them and encouraging them to make confident, informed decisions as consumers.
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25 Posted by danzaman4251@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse
safari rocks, the user has an option, and why are you all bashin on macs and safari, they kick the crap out a pc any day. plus, the mac vs. pc adds arnt annoying, there funny.
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6 Posted by bkarwin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I've never seen Apple Update show either iTunes or Quicktime unchecked. It's possible Apple _can't_ make Safari unchecked by default without revising their Apple Update software. Also when I uncheck iTunes so it skips installation, next week it shows up again as checked. It doesn't remember my choice.