FileHippo tests adding a download manager

This is sad.

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/07/08/beware-filehippo-tests-adware-distributing-download-manager/

FileHippo, a website recommended by quite a few users as one of the remaining "clean" websites, has added a custom download manager to its site which -- who would have guessed that -- includes adware offers as well.

Agree. FileHippo was Always a "clean" file hosting website. But on the other hand, I am surprised to see it took them so long to add "adware" offers as well. File hosting isn't free, remember ?

Does this download manager automatically install itself when you download a product, or do you have a choice?

Not sure it it applies to everyone, but I just downloaded CCleaner latest and Avast latest and didn't see anything different.

Used the English, German & French filehippo sites.

Maybe the rollout is not yet complete?

edit:

Are MajorGeeks and Softpedia still OK?

They seem to be ok here, but then so does Filehippo right now.

More info on this from FileHippo itself

http://www.filehippo.com/filehippo_download_manager

Last FAQ in that link:

Do I have to use the installer?

No. All FileHippo Installer Enabled products have a Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer.

Last FAQ in that link:

Do I have to use the installer?

No. All FileHippo Installer Enabled products have a Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer.

Let's just hope they make it easy to spot.

If the idea is to make money from the bundled installers then surely making the Direct Download link very obvious sort of defeats the point of the exercise.

OH... you want it easy, too?!? Picky, picky ;)

More info on this from FileHippo itself

http://www.filehippo.com/filehippo_download_manager

Thanks Hazelnut. ;)

Does Hazelnut drink Typhoo tea? :D

Does Hazelnut drink Typhoo tea? :D

No, I drink Green Tea and have for years :)

It'd be a shame if someone distributed an ablock filter rule that blocked the adware button... ;)

Let's hope they will at least provide a well labeled, decently sized alternate download for the real installer.

Let's hope they will at least provide a well labeled, decently sized alternate download for the real installer.

Don't forget the developer/software websites either, some still provide a download direct from their own site without dealing with a download site.

Right now the direct download link is quite tiny.

Don't forget the developer/software websites either, some still provide a download direct from their own site without dealing with a download site.

Yes, a good practice would be making quite evident the link to developer's website so users can 1) check for updates 2) search for more first-hand information 3) last but not least download from source(s) intended by the author.

It's a shame how they tried to implement the download manager and ESET all ready detects it as PUA, variant of Win32/InstallerCore.PK

Nice try Filehippo…

Right now the direct download link is quite tiny.

Do not think they will make the direct download link any bigger as they WANT you to download their special package.