Report: RealPlayer Is Badware
Malware watchdog group, StopBadware.org, has labeled RealPlayer as “badware” acording to a report on StopBadware’s website.
We find that RealPlayer 10.5 is badware because it fails to accurately and completely disclose the fact that it installs advertising software on the user’s computer. We additionally find that RealPlayer 11 is badware because it does not disclose the fact that it installs Rhapsody Player Engine software, and fails to remove this software when RealPlayer is uninstalled.
We currently recommend that users do not install the versions of RealPlayer software that we tested, unless the user is comfortable with the software behaviors we identify or until the application is updated to be consistent with the recommendations contained in this report.
It’s about time that Real has been called out for this type of behavior as I believe they’ve been deserving of criticism for years but do they rise to the level of badware or malware?
Certainly, bundling and installing unwanted software with little or no warning is deplorable and cheapens any brand that resorts to the tactic.
Tags: video player, video players, free video, live video
I’ve disliked RealPlayer for some time now because I consider it bloated and ugly; for a while I had to put up with it because I occasionally need to play Real files. Then I found something called Real Alternative, which plays Real files in Media Player Classic. I highly recommend it.