Parallels Update Installs Unrelated Daemon Without Permission

Calibax writes "Parallels recently released version 9 of Parallels Desktop, their popular hypervisor application for Mac. They also released a new product named Parallels Access that offers access to Windows applications from an iPad for $80 per year. Access has received less than stellar reviews. When a user upgrades Parallels Desktop, he is asked if he wants a free six-month subscription to Parallels Access. Even if he says no, the product is installed on his system and the application is started each time the system is rebooted. It is installed with ancillary files scattered around several directories in the system and Parallels has not supplied an uninstaller or listed the steps to fully uninstall the application, despite a number of requests. In other words, Parallels has decided it's a good idea to silently install a difficult to remove daemon application on the system, even if the user has explicitly stated they do not want it. They have not provided an uninstaller or a list of files installed or instructions on how to remove the application files. These are scattered to at least four Mac OS X OS system level directories."

Comments

Re:Macintosh's ease of use

[Anonymous Coward]

Troll.

Parallels is NOT sold in the AppStore. It's installed via a custom stand-alone installer.

You have NO idea what you are trolling about. GTFO.

Re:Macintosh's ease of use

[Billly Gates]

You do realize that's not the App store, but Apple's store where they ship you a box with the software?

I notice you ignored the second link: Which shows that malware can and has been uploaded to the app store, which was my original point; The OP said that nothing like Parallels Desktop could be in the app store because it was too "low level".

I'd consider something that steals my credit card info and takes over my browser pretty "low level". The reason why Parallels Desktop isn't in the app store is because it loads kernel modules, not because the app store is somehow 'more secure'.

But hey... I already got a -1 everywhere else for pointing out that it's not all sunshine and kittens in AppleLand and got furious anger and rage from the fanboys... so what's a missed point between slashdotters?

You have no idea how bad you have it with Windows. I say this as a Windows 7 user too. The reason it is a big deal is former Windows users who switched to the Mac left XP/Vista because of this kind of crap!

Registry entries, malware, every free app including malware to slow down yoursystem including sourceforge using i3, eyecandy, ask, or whatever michevious crap! With a mac you want to transfer MS Office to a newer computer? Just copy the files to your phone and copy them back and run them. That is it. No fancy installers, no bizaare registry entries, simple folders, nothing hidden. It is what could have been if neophytes did not pick Windows back in the 1990s.

So if the Mac turns into windows why spend 2x for the switch. I almost was one of them when I seriously considered it 3 years ago. In the end I could not justify the cost sadly and the non upgrade options if I want to game plus my software like Office would need to be repurchased.

I hear the Linux users on here laughing at Windows users. But I no longer run Linux as I had beta quality experience with ATI drivers breaking during updates and terrible guis like gnome 3.

While Apple still has bugs like in its store it is known as a superior platform and people on the west coast use it heavily in universities. In the east it is more 50/50 windows vs mac. They are better if you can afford one and do not mind limited upgrades.