RealPlayer 10.5 hasn't got any spyware or adware.
I have got a lot of anti-spyware and anti-adware programs, and no one finds it as adware.
PS: In prevous versions there was adware, but because now there's RealMedia Splitter ( with it each player can play .RM) so Real networks has removed the ads from the player. Please remove this note at the description.
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Full Version: Lies about Real player 10.5
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It has gotten bad stigma attached to it in the past, which is unfortunate. Anti-spyware proggies won't necessarily detect lot of things embedded into the program. The new 10.5 version is a positive in right direction, but still plagued by common problems.
Excerpt from DOWNLOAD.COM review:
The description/disclaimer at bottom of FREE-CODECS page still seems justified to me.
Excerpt from DOWNLOAD.COM review:
QUOTE
The program still suffers from the intrusive installation, file-type hijacking, and upgrade harassment that have plagued it since its inception.
The description/disclaimer at bottom of FREE-CODECS page still seems justified to me.
Well, I think, this... company, Real Networks has worked for their bad reputation and deserves it.
Although you can configure Real Player now (v10.5), not to affect like a spyware (it's quite a common expectation from a multimedia player isn't it), the options that send your personal information are enabled as default. You cannot disable them during installation.
If you don't touch its default settings, the first thing you'll see when go online is a report from your firewall: a program called "realplay.exe" is trying to access the internet. Why? Because the Auto-Update and Message Center parts of Real Player are enabled and WILL send personal information.
Quote from RN Privacy Policy:
To disable these features you've to go to Tools/Preferences/Automatic Services
1. click to "Configure Message Center", and deselect "Check for new messages" (then you'll get a warning of course)
2. in Auto-Update deselect "Automatically download and install important updates"
Also, if you don't make these changes, the program called TkBellExe (realsched.exe) will load along your OS at startup and will "kindly" remind you periodically, what to do which is pretty annoying.
Quote from the License Agreement:
According to the agreement, it "does not collect personal information". But runs the features that DO collect personal information as stated previously, so does it indirectly.
Ah, and it's really great now you can set the file-associations in the installation dialog. It's the best thing, you can deselect all.
So agree with Mischcabob, the Free-codecs.com note on Real Player seems to be at least justified.
And then I haven't said a word about its serious lack of functionality. That's another topic.
Although you can configure Real Player now (v10.5), not to affect like a spyware (it's quite a common expectation from a multimedia player isn't it), the options that send your personal information are enabled as default. You cannot disable them during installation.
If you don't touch its default settings, the first thing you'll see when go online is a report from your firewall: a program called "realplay.exe" is trying to access the internet. Why? Because the Auto-Update and Message Center parts of Real Player are enabled and WILL send personal information.
Quote from RN Privacy Policy:
QUOTE
The RealPlayer consists of interactive Internet applications that perform a variety of communications over the Internet as part of their normal operation. A number of communications features are automatic and are enabled by default. For example, when RealPlayer, Auto-Update and Message Center communicate with RealNetworks servers, the software transmits standard information in order to deliver you the appropriate software, content, messages and updates. This includes information about the RealNetworks product you have installed (including the products name, version and build number), your current operating system, your location information (including zip or postal code, country and your preferred language) and standard Internet communication information including IP address, browser and date.
more here...
more here...
To disable these features you've to go to Tools/Preferences/Automatic Services
1. click to "Configure Message Center", and deselect "Check for new messages" (then you'll get a warning of course)
2. in Auto-Update deselect "Automatically download and install important updates"
Also, if you don't make these changes, the program called TkBellExe (realsched.exe) will load along your OS at startup and will "kindly" remind you periodically, what to do which is pretty annoying.
Quote from the License Agreement:
QUOTE
8. SCHEDULER. An application Scheduler, known as "realsched.exe," is installed along with RealPlayer. Once installed, it runs independently of RealPlayer. The Scheduler does not collect personal information or communicate with RealNetworks' servers. It is used to remind AutoUpdate, Message Center and the Watch Folders feature to perform their tasks at pre-scheduled intervals. Scheduler also watches for and alerts RealPlayer to connection and disconnection of portable devices. You can control these activities via the Automatic Services section of the Preferences dialog, located under the Tools menu.
According to the agreement, it "does not collect personal information". But runs the features that DO collect personal information as stated previously, so does it indirectly.
Ah, and it's really great now you can set the file-associations in the installation dialog. It's the best thing, you can deselect all.
So agree with Mischcabob, the Free-codecs.com note on Real Player seems to be at least justified.
And then I haven't said a word about its serious lack of functionality. That's another topic.
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