Latest SARDU bundled with Adware ???

[lbaty]

Warning to other fans of SARDU ...

The latest version (2.0.6.3) appears to bundle some adware

There's even a related post on the Sardu forum:
http://www.sarducd.it/forum/english-for ... t1357.html

[guinness]

Adware doesn't mean the application is malicious.

[lbaty]

I never said malicious.
I agree ... my post was merely indicating the bundling of Adware.

I didn't write the SARDU forum entry (just indicated it was related to my post).

Anyone know if there is a "clean" copy of the latest version anywhere?
Or if there is any way to remove the bundled "junk"?

[guinness]

My mistake, it wasn't aimed at you but more so that article.

[I am Baas]

Adware doesn't mean the application is malicious.

True, but it does mean that the application does not meet TPFC requirements. SARDU should be removed from the DB (as was the case with Tapin Radio).

Actually, it is a spyware - Adware combo.

[I am Baas]

in the meantime, I quickly tested SARDU 2.0.6.3 and modified TPFC entry.

[bzl333]

notice the developer of SARDU (by all accounts an excellent program) says he has only received 400 euro donations in 4 years for all his time and effort and expense(hosting etc) - MILLIONS of downloads from over 200 countries.

http://www.sarducd.it/forum/general/bab ... t1331.html

[joby_toss]

Is it stealth?

[guinness]

I totally understand their predicament, times are tough and making a decent living is become increasingly harder. 400€ isn't bad when you compare it to the 0€ I've received. When I was working on DropIt, Lupo73 received some donations but I refused to accept a small percentage as I learnt a lot during my developing time there. Anyone remember V1.00??

[I am Baas]

Is it stealth?

Was that directed at me? I never tested it for portability, but having seen your screenshot, the answer is obvious. All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.

I totally understand their predicament, times are tough and making a decent living is become increasingly harder.

I understand the compassion, but still, it is not OK to let a spyware program run on a user's machine without explicit consent.

[guinness]

I understand the compassion, but still, it is not OK to let a spyware program run on a user's machine without explicit consent.

The developer should be transparent that the download contains BetterInstaller.com installer, that much is true.

[Midas]

All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.

Yikes! That is a utterly unacceptable.

OTOH, I think users got completely desensitized to donations requests -- everybody uses them nowadays so one sees hundreds everyday; they've become like the ad banners of old. Time to innovate yet again...

[joby_toss]

Was that directed at me?

No, sorry if it my question seemed mean! It's the first time I'm taking a look at this software and I wasn't sure my findings were accurate.

All I did was looking at what the Betterinstaller thing does. The funny thing is, there is no installer. SARDU is still distributed as a portable package but when you run the .exe file, the "Better" thingie would first run in the background, do it's scannig, etc. etc. No warning, no request for user permission... I stoped it right then and there.

Amen!

I totally understand their predicament, times are tough and making a decent living is become increasingly harder.

True that! But there is the right way and there is the wrong way. This time there is no question...just an obvious answer.

[I am Baas]

Anyone know if there is a "clean" copy of the latest version anywhere?
Or if there is any way to remove the bundled "junk"?

Extract the contents of SARDU_1 file with 7-zip, delete bi.exe, repackage it (7-zippit) and put the SARDU_1 file (no extension) back in the application folder. Tested only once to make sure SARDU will run and have no plans to spend anymore time on it. Good luck.

[I am Baas]

@guinness

There are reports around the Web about Betterinstaller being malicious.