Junk Offender: GOM Audio
Jonathan Parkyn puts the boot into tech villains, jargon-spouting companies and software stuffed with junk
Junk offender: GOM Audio
Ihave a love-hate relationship with itunes. Actually, it’s more hate than love. Apple’s music player is so bloated and full of bugs that, occasionally, I’ll get fed up and look for an alternative. In one moment of weakness, I thought I might give GOM Audio ( www.snipca.com/35049) a go. All I can say is that I’m grateful I always try new software on an easy-towipe-clean virtual PC first before inflicting it on my non-virtual computer.
It wasn’t long before GOM Audio’s installer was trying to trick me into installing the first unwanted tool – Avast Free Antivirus – via a deceptive screen with the Accept button in exactly the same place that the Next button would normally be (see screenshot 1 ), presumably to fool those who click without looking. After clicking Decline here I worked my way (carefully) through the remaining screens.
But then something strange happened. With the installation process seemingly complete, I was presented with another screen offering me yet more unwanted software (the Opera browser). This time the Accept button was exactly where you might expect the Finish button to be (see screenshot 2 ).
I’ve never seen this particular technique used before, and it just goes to prove how important it is to stay alert right up until after software installation is complete.
The final nail in GOM Audio’s coffin was the PUP that showed up in the Adwcleaner scan I ran following its installation. A mysterious file that had the ominous name ‘END’ had been dumped on to the root of my virtual PC’S C drive.
For all its flaws, it looks like I’ll be sticking with itunes for the time being.