Google Earth update warning

mrblanche · Feb 10, 2011

I have a program (Secunia) that checks for security problems in all my programs and notifies me when updates are available. Today it said that Google Earth 5.x was obsolete and needed to be update.

I went to the web site and downloaded the updater. It downloaded and installed Google Earth AND Google Chrome (no choice given).

Now, a lot of updates these days want to install extraneous stuff. All the Adobe updates want to install Norton Scan, and all the Yahoo updates want to install the Yahoo Task Bar. I watch for those and refuse them.

So, imagine my surprise when, after the install, I went to open Firefox and found that it was no longer on my desktop! Or, more accurately, it was there, but the icon was the Chrome icon, and if you clicked on it, it opened Chrome, not Firefox.

When I went to my program list and found Firefox, I found that when I opened it, all my settings had been changed, and Chrome had changed itself to be the default browser.

So, I went to the Control Panel and completely deleted Chrome. My Firefox was back, with its original icon and settings!

Just a warning...

farleyv · Feb 10, 2011

I have no idea what you are talking about, but it sounds like it is something we should know!

I will show my hubby later. He will know.

Thanks Mike!

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

He's talking about how often unwanted programs and sometimes even malware/adware get on computers. This isn't new, it's been how windows users have been taken advantage of for a long time. I remember dealing with this before there were any adware removers!

(stupid BIL and his installing stuff on DH's computer many years ago. I hated Peedy, BonziBuddy, and it's equivalents)

Basic way around this. Slow down. Stop clicking ok all the time, you'll ok yourself right into an malware infection. Always choose "Custom" or "Manual" installation when possible over automatic or default. Read the EULA.

ut0pia · Feb 10, 2011

I absolutely hate it when things like this happen...Even though I try to make a mental note to watch out and uncheck the installation of that annoying yahoo toolbar and the like, I still end up with unwanted stuff, because I'm so impatient all the time, my mind is already racing to the next step, what I will be doing when I install the software, the conversation i'll be having with that friend as soon as skype installs for instance, so the last thing on my mind is to answer the questions that i'm prompted to when installing a software. As far as I'm concerned I already clicked "download", the computer should know what to do from that point on

Thankfully I don't have Google Earth installed, so this specific update will not be something I have to worry about...

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by ut0pia

As far as I'm concerned I already clicked "download", the computer should know what to do from that point on

You still have your linux partition? And I know Mint has Synaptic. That takes care of everything. (Or doing it manually you double check your dependencies, add any needed in to the apt-get install and add the -y switch and let it take care of it) No need to worry about malware (obviously

) and if it's in the main repositories it's been thoroughly checked over and over. (which doesn't exclude bugs, just that it's not rootkit or something equally troublesome)

katachtig · Feb 10, 2011

I recently had the same thing happen as Mike and I am scrupulous about not adding additional toolbars and junk. The install for Google Earth did not give a chance to decline installing Chrome (or in my case, making it the default as I already had it).

GoldyCat · Feb 10, 2011

I don't very often download new programs (get my BIL to do it for me if he's around). One irritating thing I found when I installed SKYPE is that it automatically opens every time I turn on the computer. I can't find anywhere that I can turn it off in preferences, just have to wait until it opens every time, then quit the program.

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

One irritating thing I found when I installed SKYPE is that it automatically opens every time I turn on the computer. I can't find anywhere that I can turn it off in preferences, just have to wait until it opens every time, then quit the program.

Start button > run > type msconfig > go to the start up tab and uncheck Skype and any other program you don't want or need at start up.

I thought everyone knew about msconfig.

ut0pia · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You still have your linux partition? And I know Mint has Synaptic. That takes care of everything. (Or doing it manually you double check your dependencies, add any needed in to the apt-get install and add the -y switch and let it take care of it) No need to worry about malware (obviously

) and if it's in the main repositories it's been thoroughly checked over and over. (which doesn't exclude bugs, just that it's not rootkit or something equally troublesome)

Yup, I do

I love it, I even use it in my computer science class I'm taking this semester- we use a programming environment called JES (jython) which I was able to install in linux. I was so happy I didn't have to use windows for that. Running windows on my little netbook that has 1 gb ram makes it soooo slow that it makes me want to throw the netbook on the wall

GoldyCat · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Start button > run > type msconfig > go to the start up tab and uncheck Skype and any other program you don't want or need at start up.

Ummm, I'm on a Mac. Maybe I can find the start up preferences. I've been looking in the program and on the SKYPE website.

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by ut0pia

Yup, I do

I love it, I even use it in my computer science class I'm taking this semester- we use a programming environment called JES (jython) which I was able to install in linux. I was so happy I didn't have to use windows for that. Running windows on my little netbook that has 1 gb ram makes it soooo slow that it makes me want to throw the netbook on the wall

Installing, well just about anything on linux is so much easier. I don't know if you've done any work in Java or regular Python yet, but if you get proficient in jython it can also be used to develop apps for Android (should you want to work with a more open OS and eventually have a device/phone with it).

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

Ummm, I'm on a Mac. Maybe I can find the start up preferences. I've been looking in the program and on the SKYPE website.

Oh in that case you can go into system preference > accounts > your account > and login items.

The other way is to click on the Skype icon in your dock and uncheck the open at login, but many complain that it doesn't remember that setting and rechecks itself.

capt_jordi · Feb 10, 2011

I have to say though, once I switched to Chrome I havent looked back! I love it!

As for Skype I think you can also just change it from the Tools>Options. There should be a check box for start skype when computer starts.
Love skype, but only use it when Gary is out of the country! The rest of the time it tends to get on my nerves lol!

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

I have to say though, once I switched to Chrome I havent looked back! I love it!

Google data mines and uses everything you look at as their form of market research. They store that, and gmail emails, indefinitely on their servers with only their word that they won't do anything bad with all the information they have on people. All it takes is a major overhaul in CEOs to change that, though.

That data collecting is probably why it recently got bundled in with the Google Earth update...

For those that like Chrome and don't want a company collecting all of your data, there's SRWare Iron (sorry about that pop up) and other Chromium base browsers and the Chromium OS.

mrblanche · Feb 10, 2011

I have never had an install/update from a major supplier act like a browser hijack before. I mean, this took several steps:

1. It installed Chrome without my permission.
2. It deleted the Firefox icon.
3. It reset Chrome as my default browser.
4. It hijacked the Firefox shortcut.
5. It reset my Firefox settings.

One more reason to dislike Google. As if their purchase of The Huffington Post weren't enough.

By the way, since Linux is the OS on one of the new phones (Android?), and Iphones, Ipads, and Ipods are now so prevalent, both those operating systems have seen an exponential increase in hack attacks in the last few months.

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

AOL bought Huffington Postâ€¦

Microsoft products do that all the time. So does software like Norton.

Which OS? Android is but one very stripped down phone OS based upon slightly older than current Linux kernel. 2.1, for example, is based on 2.6.29 kernel that's now around 2 years old and did have some holes. But greatly depended on permissions given. This is not the kernel any updated linux desktop distro uses today. Any attemps made at hacking linux are not directed at desktops, there's no money to be made in it. Issues with android arise though users installing questionable apps or installed questionable apps on their rooted phones. Rooting gives them full access to system files (which are normally locked away) and lets one change them.
So again, linux is not a singular OS or product like Windows or OSX is. The security in installing software on it is simply the controlled source it comes from.

(Btw, android is on many new smart phones and tablets. Most are still 2.1, some are on 2.2 which has a newer kernel and improved security. HP is to be rolling out WebOS phones, tablets, and computers soon, too.)

As for iOS, again, a lot is locked down until one roots it and gains permission to modify system files.

kittkatt · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Basic way around this. Slow down. Stop clicking ok all the time, you'll ok yourself right into an malware infection. Always choose "Custom" or "Manual" installation when possible over automatic or default. Read the EULA.

That's good advice, StrangeWings - but only for peeps who are computer savvy enough to know how to install manually - unlike myself!

I've learned a little over the time I've had a computer - like knowing when NOT to click ok - but when it comes to some things, I'm completely lost!

Regarding Google - I don't trust them after seeing a show on TV concerning some of their "spy" tactics. I only have Google Chrome installed as a back-up browser in case FireFox crashes. I won't use IE unless it's a dire emergency!

strange_wings · Feb 10, 2011

Originally Posted by KittKatt

That's good advice, StrangeWings - but only for peeps who are computer savvy enough to know how to install manually - unlike myself!

I've learned a little over the time I've had a computer - like knowing when NOT to click ok - but when it comes to some things, I'm completely lost!

Regarding Google - I don't trust them after seeing a show on TV concerning some of their "spy" tactics. I only have Google Chrome installed as a back-up browser in case FireFox crashes. I won't use IE unless it's a dire emergency!

On windows, manual or custom install still means using an installer, but instead choosing the option that lets you pick and choose what features (or extras) you want to install, too. Sometimes it's obvious, like extra products, other times it's something as simple as unchecking the "short cut in icon tray" box or add to start up. You don't need 3-4 short cuts.

If you get stumped, pull up a search engine and look something up. Which might I suggest scroogle, a google scraper, and DuckDuckGo in place of Google whenever possible.

Also look at the SRWare link I posted.

natalie_ca · Feb 10, 2011

I hate parasitic programs like you describe! I consider stuff like that as an attack because I am not given the option to accept the item.

my4llma · Feb 10, 2011

Thanks for the warning

Google Earth update warning

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