OK, I would hope the members at Gimp Chat are experienced computer users. Whether you are or not, you will either find humour (I sure did) or be shocked by this How-To Geek fun experiment, Here’s What Happens When You Install the Top 10 Download.com Apps. If you have friends who are inexperienced Windows users I would send them the link.

Most of that looks so familiar Odin. Over the years using Windows, I have seen most of it. You are right about this bundling how they try to trick people into things. Wow, sure glad I am using Linux, we don't get any of that.

Thanks for that Odin. I've seen it all before and am much wiser now. Everybody should read that link once.

I don't know how many times I've got bundled with extra toolbars etc. Am really careful now.

A real eye-opener. Thanks, Odin!

So where can I download all those goodies?

lol . A good lesson to be learned.
And you know it's NOT just the freeware doing it. Now some commercial ware has been bundling crapware also. So be careful what you buy too! What i do as soon as i see another app wanting to install i hit the cancel install button.Also every time i install a new program i scan through programs installed list to check for newly installed junk. Usually its browser hijackers. Their real easy to spot (check the install date), and get rid of through uninstall programs in the control panel. BUT some will actually install into the system folder OR documents directory.Those are a bit trickier to find and dispose of.

Thanks for sharing that Odin.

Fortunately, being a connoisseur of Window's apps, I've gotten to know when I've been had. lol

Virtualization (how I vet applications) has been a pretty cool tool as well.

Sandboxie works a heap also.

A good reminder, thanks for the post. Always need to be on my toes as I’ve been caught out on a couple of occasions in the past.

As the article said, "when the product is free the real product is YOU".
Knowing what programs I have installed on my machine is important to me. At a glance I can identify anything that shouldn't be there.
I also won't download an app without first doing some research into what it is and where it's from. Performing blind downloads and installations. Without any knowledge of what it is you're actually doing, Is a recipe for disaster. The article clearly demonstrates how even a savvy user can have his or her browser hijacked.
So in general... "Be wary, be very wary".

I'm glad you folks enjoyed that one. It's ironic they chose CNET's downloads.com, it use to be a trusted source.
For info Gizmos Freeware Reviews are worth a look and How-To Geek is always excellent.

I tried some of that too, thank God I got it off.