Many software titles on our site do use the CNET Download.com Installer, an ad-supported stub installer or "download manager" that does offer additional, optional third party applications during the installation process. All offers included in the Installer are tested to make sure that they conform with our security policies prohibiting malware, and to ensure that they may be declined or opted-out of during the download, but it sounds like you may have encountered some difficulty with that.

In future, you have a couple of options to download without using the CNET Download.com Installer if you prefer - you can either click the Direct Download Link that is provided for all CNET Installer Enabled items, or, if you have a CNET account, completely disable the Installer for the whole site.

Read more about those options here:

http://t.cnet.com/15t7hv0

For more detailed information on the CNET Download.com Installer, please visit the following resource:

http://t.cnet.com/SB3tiC

You should be able to uninstall any offer(s) via your computer's Add/Remove Programs panel, but if for some reason that does not work, you may want to try one of the programs listed in our uninstaller software category (keeping in mind that some do use the CNET Installer too):

http://download.cnet.com/windows/uninstallers/

The following page contains uninstall instructions specifically tailored to several offers:

http://download.cnet.com/2701-2023_4-2006-1.html

You will also want to remove any unwanted add-ons or extensions from your browsers, and may need to reset your search and/or home pages. Instructions for completely resetting the most common browsers, if you need them, may be found here:

http://download.cnet.com/2701-2023_4-2107.html

If you need any further assistance, please submit a ticket through our support contact form here:

http://t.cnet.com/PS6r5c

In the "Description" section of the form, please include the following information:

* A link to the Download.com page for the software you downloaded
* What operating system you are running
* What browser and which version you used to download
* What antivirus software you have installed, if any
* The names of any unwanted items also installed
* What steps you have tried to remove them, and what issues you have encountered when doing so

When you are done filling out the form, click the "Submit" button; you will receive an automated confirmation email right away, and a message from our support team within the following 24 business hours.

Regards,
Jen
Download.com Support