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Youtube Downloader

Nov 9, 2011 2:49AM PST

Hi I have used the "youtube downloader" software since it came out and loved it. Unfortunately it seems to have gone in a FAR more corporatized direction since the last time I used it.

They have bundled several toolbars with their new versions, and they are quite alarming for a couple of reasons. First of all, the yahoo toolbar is perfectly fine as there is an option to opt-out. However, it installs it's own toolbar not just to IE, but to firefox as well! It attempts to change your homepage (if you have it set to not block these requests it's *automatic*) and even after blocking it, will keep on. It is created by "spigot" software which is well-known for several controversial pieces of "software" released.

If you described it's behavior to me, as an IT professional, I would call it spyware, or at least adware. There are several hooks that I don't recognize within it, so it may be full-blown data-mining spyware.

Further, the uninstall program leaves registry entries, several library files, etc. which have to be removed manually (and in one case you have to take ownership, change the permissions, kill the process, and THEN remove it.)

All in all I feel like the CNET editors have fallen down on the job a little bit, because this is essentially just useful spyware.

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