If more people stopped using ad blockers or avoiding clicking ads to support the good sites they find then these sites wouldn’t have to resort to the kind of pushware we now see. If the existing implementation does not produce the desired effect – obviously an increase in revenue – how long before FileHippo decides to drop the Direct Download option altogether? While the Direct Download link is a welcome option, I can’t help wondering how long it may last. I hasten to add that FileHippo does provide an alternate ‘Direct Download’ link which bypasses their Download Manager and, of course, its 3rd party offerings: Not all downloads on FileHippo are associated with the Download Manager as yet, but there are enough now to warrant a warning, and I suspect implementation might be ongoing.

Then, yesterday, I came across numerous downloads on FileHippo involving the Download Manager… or, more accurately, adware wrapper.

I’ve been checking the site every few days or so with no sign of any changes.

This story first came to light a couple of months ago but until now I’ve not seen any firsthand indication that FileHippo had actually implemented the new system. FileHippo has decided to join the ranks of CNET and others, and is now offering software downloads via its own Download Manager, which includes adware offers. It appears yet another once trusted source for downloads has succumbed to the dark side.

Openoffice for windows 7 filehippo