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Everything you say here is totally true. That's not what malware is, though. The term isn't a scientific one, but the intent to harm is a pretty key component
by dimino 11y ago
Everything you say here is totally true.
That's not what malware is, though. The term isn't a scientific one, but the intent to harm is a pretty key component, and I am quite certain Sourceforge isn't trying to hurt its users.
Does it really bother no one else that the phrase "malware" is being thrown around antagonistically?
- laumars 11y agoI get what you're saying and do agree to an extent. But you have to bare in mind that the bundles are presented in such a way to deliberately trick users into installing software they don't want installed. SF very much intentionally loads adware and other software that they know the vast majority of users wouldn't want; and very much do so in a covert way (eg having the "Install" button labelled "I agree" so users think they're signing a EULA). So one could argue that their installer is a trojan since it's actual behaviour isn't the same as it's presented behavior. Thus even if the software they install isn't malware, their method of deployment is.