CNET Installer - Virus Malware Spyware

Recently I gave CNET one more change on their "CNET Installer" package that will install certain programs for you using a .exe file from CNET rather than a direct .msi or .exe installer from the company. I tried to download Integrio Uptime Scout, which no longer has options to download their exe file to install their version of the program. Instead, companies like Integrio have decided to use a different installer for their programs-- The CNET Installer. This article will take various CNET Installers and scan them on Virustotal.com (scanned by 50 antivirus programs and displays results).

What is CNET Installer

CNET installer is a program that used by various companies to install their programs onto your computer. Instead of downloading just the program you wanted, CNET Installer will download that program as well as numerous pieces of spyware, malware, and advertisements that aim to make CNET extra money.

To NOT be part of CNET installer, you have to pay money to become a "premium" member that will not have viruses planted into their freeware applications. If you do not pay CNET the ransom money, your app is part of CNET installer network of viruses.

From CNET:

By default, the 'Download Now' link for most on CNET's download.com now downloads a small installer instead of the download you requested. This installer will download and install the desired program after prompting you to install third-party software (usually a toolbar), which is installed unless you specifically uncheck the option. The installer itself does not need installed.

Notice: This downloads something INSTEAD of the download you requested.

Why was CNET installer created?

CNET wanted to make CNET more money. If you install their version of what is CALLED freeware, you are likely to install a virus, malware, or spyware (as defined by malware scanners- spybot and malwarebytes, as well as Virustotal.com). The company that created the freeware has no say on what viruses CNET installs onto your computer. The programmer just gets CNET to pay for their bandwidth at the price of turning their freeware into malware+freeware.

CNET Installer Problems

CNET installer produces extra problems that were not part of the original software you were intending to download. Here is a list of those problems and how to verify them.

Viruses

This is outright placement of Malware and Viruses in CNET Installer, which people pay CNET for. Feel free to download any of these programs and decide for yourself whether they are infected with viruses. These are some of the actual installers and their results on VirusTotal.com:

Integrio Uptime Scout

Integrio Uptime Scout is a program I used for checking my servers uptime. They switched to CNET installer and have since become infected with viruses. Here are links that verify this.

Integrio Uptime Scout - CNET downloader scanned by Virustotals

How to Prevent Viruses

Do not download your software from CNET unless you are very skilled at using computers, avoiding viruses and malware, and scan for infected files. It is only a matter of time before CNET gives you a virus.

CNET Installer External Links

• forums.cnet.com - forum post to abandon CNET Installer due to virus/spyware
• VentureBeat.com - on CNET installer
• Bleeping Computer - CNET Malware
• cnet forums - Is CNET installing Malware?