Apple's Distribution Plan for Safari Compared to Malware

Filed in archive Malware on March 22, 2008

Mozilla, the makers of Firefox, are accusing Apple of bad business regarding the distribution of its Safari browser to Windows Users. Mozilla claims Apple's tactics are "borderline malware distribution practices". Apple users are also infuriated, all as a result of Apple's decision to distribute the browser through it's auto update service, which pushes updates to QuickTime and iTunes users. This time, the updates included Safari. The browser is listed as an update and is checked by default. Mozilla CEO John Lilly posted this message on his blog:

Apple has made it incredibly easy - the default, even - for users to install ride along software that they didn't ask for, and maybe didn't want. This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices. It's wrong because it undermines the trust that we're all trying to build with users. Because it means that an update isn't just an update, but is maybe something more. Because it ultimately undermines the safety of users on the web by eroding that relationship. It's a bad practice and should stop.

What do you think of Apple's decision to distribute Safari this way? Are they indeed treading into malware distributors turf or is it much ado about nothing?