Why Adobe is recommending McAfee security scan during flash player installation?

Question

Why is Adobe recommending a McAfee security scan during the installation of flash player?

Answer 1

It's an affiliate thing. Adobe get paid to promote McAfee's anti-malware software. You have nothing to worry about in terms of security, it's just a marketing trick to get you to buy an AV.

Answer 2

As Polynomial says, there is that affiliation - many companies promote other installs when you update or install a package. It is pretty common business.

That said, it is always a good idea to scan any new software that you install. If you already have a good A/V or antimalware solution, stick with that, otherwise I would recommend getting one.

Answer 3

Adobe is installing a highly limited version of McAfee antivirus on your system and then doing a limited scan to possibly find malware (as expected with limited software). Adobe also pushes the Bing toolbar, the Google toolbar and the Google Chrome Browser at you among other offerings they've included. Funny thing is their installer routine is not intelligent enough to check for prior installations before recommending any of this software.

While there are good intentions in recommending this software, (McAfee for people with no antivirus at all might be a good thing, the Chrome Browser might be more secure than Internet Explorer) it's mostly done as an affiliate kickback program to provide a revenue stream for Adobe's "free" Flash plugins and Acrobat Reader.

It's not totally harmless as the McAfee scanner has been incompatible with already installed competitor's antivirus packages, sometimes knocking them out of action or preventing their virus signature updates from working. Also, reinstalling Chrome on a system that already has it installed can mess the Chrome Browser install up to the point I've had to reinstall Chrome.

When you manually trigger Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader and Oracle Java updates, you can tell the upgrade to not include these affiliate packages. They also can be removed through Windows add/remove programs routines if you have problems with them. As they are legitimate software annoyingly installed, they follow the rules for uninstall.

Answer 4

This has changed as of the last update. there was NO way to opt out, which by itself if a shady practice, at least you still have some form of an option. this last update forced it on me, fortunately I detected it early enough and cancelled the download, then I went back and look to see if there was a way to NOT install this crap. there was not. as such I am now using various different freeware programs to do the work.

• foxit for reader,
• webm for the flash,
• not sure what I needed air for but since I don't seem to have a need for it, I won't replace it.

this finally pushed me to become adobe free for the first time on my windows computers. I am now very happy. Good luck and hope the above helps further suffers of adobe shenanigans.