Is Apple taking a 'Safari' into malware territory?
Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:51AM EDT
See Comments (25)
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]
Comments on Is Apple taking a 'Safari' into malware territory?
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
2 Posted by rorbincalendar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse
1.) Click "Start", "Control Panel", "Add or Remove Programs", scroll to Apple iTunes, "Click Remove"_______2.)Visit Amazon.com_______3.) Purchase DRM-FREE higher quality MP3's at a lower price.________________PROBLEM SOLVED
-
3 Posted by nolo_8 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse
ugh, Safari is soooo annoying looking. I installed it to try it out, and bleh! it looks horrible. I could never use that as my browser. Firefox FTW. :)
-
4 Posted by figambi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I've tried all of the browsers.. ,name it IE, Firefox, Netscape, Opera, Flock, Safari...And Safari and IE7 tied at the number one spot for the worst browsers I ever came across... No Hard feelings.. but hey.. i am a Firefox convert.. aren't I?
-
5 Posted by brett.hellman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't see the problem here. http://nobosh.com/
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
9 Posted by icysapphire64 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
IE works just fine for me, thanks.
-
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...
1 Posted by plaga_nerezza on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Safari is a junk browser. I'd soon use netscape navigator.