adfly and download manager

[1973tr6 0]

I can't find the topic I originally started on this problem, but I don't think I explained my situation properly, so I'm gonna try again.

 

I already have my download folder organized as to originator\author\etc.  My problem is when I try to download a new file.  I click on all the "agree & download" buttons, and the last thing I get is a new tab by something called "adfly."  it says my download will start in 5 . . . 4 . . .3 . . . etc. and when it does start, it is always to install\run a set-up file.  If I run the setup it is for some kind of download manager.  I installed it the first time it came up, but now every time I try to download a file it wants to install this download manager again.  I can't find anything in my control panel to delete\remove adfly. 

 

I just want to get back to the point where I could right-click on the download button and so a save as.

 

Any ideas??

 

Thanks . . .

  Edited January 13, 2015 by Cyclone Boom  
Topic moved.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

AdFly is a revenue (pay per click) service implemented for guests browsing the STEX, along with some external links on the forums. On the STEX, if you're not logged in, the download button will point to an address at: go.simtropolis.com.

 

This proceeds to an AdFly generated page, which displays an advert in the middle. Could this be where you've seen this download manager? After about 5 seconds, a "Skip Ad" button should appear in the top right, after which the STEX file can be downloaded. Clicking anything in the middle will only proceed to download what's being advertised. However, according to AdFly, all those adverts are checked for safety, and Dirk (our webmaster) wouldn't support a service that poses a risk to users.

 

If you're signed into your Simtropolis account, you should be able to download files directly. Maybe try signing out and back in, or clearing your browser's cache.

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

What Adfly does is technically "safe," just misleading.  They put a big ol' download button or an automatic download in the middle of your page and put the tiny "Skip This Ad" button up in the corner.  Oldest trick in the book, up there with "Congratulations you are 1,000,000 visitor!"

 

 

The programs those ads usually give you are known as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs).  While they are not malicious, they are considered malware by most anti-virus software.  They are invasive things like toolbars and download managers.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

Yeah, many sites do that. I remember I once sent a download link on a file hosting site to someone, and they couldn't find the download. I thought the site was pretty straight forward - you copy the link, load the site, click the download link, and there you go. Turns out that when I checked on a different PC with very permissive browser settings, the site was covered in huge glaring "DOWNLOAD NOW!" "INSTANT DOWNLOAD" and so on buttons - all of which were ad banners. The actual download link to the file was displayed as a tiny text link, easy to overlook. My own browser has very restrictive settings and doesn't even load all that junk, so I wasn't aware of the problem!

 

Rule of thumb is: Always use the status bar. When you hover your mouse cursor over a link, it will show the URL a link points to, and if you use Brain 1.0, you'll see if the URL is likely to be what you were looking for. CycloneBoom mentioned it: The URL should contain something with "Simtropolis" in it.

 

Another rule of thumb is that when you are required to install a "download helper" or something for as trivial a task as downloading a file, it's a scam. 100%.

 

Just fyi, you can "pre-filter" those adfly links if you right-click them, copy them to your browser address bar, and remove all the junk in front of the actual download link - it's contained in the adfly URL as clear text. Of course, this also means that good ole Simtrop won't see money for the ads and poor Dirk will remain poor because the site is expensive to run and he doesn't charge users as the benevolent Dirktator that he is.

[1973tr6 0]

I have been lately downloading (or trying to!!) without being logged in.  I'll have to try to remember to always log in first if I want to download a file.  I'll see if that helps.

 

Thanks . . .