As both an IT professional and a personal computer user, I strongly object to having things installed or changed that I haven’t explicitly asked for unless I opt out, which I might miss or misunderstand. The issue is even worse for ordinary users, who often have no idea what’s going on. Any install or change should be opt in, only by deliberate choice on my part.
Thus I’m very disappointed that CIS installs the Ask (COMODO SafeSurf) Toolbar by default, opt out rather than opt in, and worse, that it also changes the search provider and home page. My objection to this is so strong that it could prevent me from recommending CIS.
Unfortunately it’s becoming such a common occurrence, you really need to be on your toes when installing anything these days.
I realize that Comodo probably gets some income by users searching with Ask, but the user should be the one to decide whether or not to use these things. The default option should not be to install them.
. . . and quite frankly, I’m a bit confused they needed a sponsor at all. I thought this stuff was paid for by the SSL certificates they sell to big businesses. Now it seems their software is becoming a business in its own right?
I hear you. It’s obvious from their new website redesign that they are seriously pushing the “Pro” version. Pretty interesting when a page with the header of, Firewall and Antivirus Free Software Download from Comodo that the ‘free’ part gets less than 10% of the page.
What was it they used to say? Security isn’t a privilege, it’s a right. Or something like that… Looks like the emphasis is swinging more towards privilege these days.
Now don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate what Comodo has done by making CIS free, but to make a statement that it will be free forever because people deserve that, then start downplaying the ‘free’ part makes me wonder about the future.
