GetPlus is a Big Minus
GetPlus is a download manager that a lot of people using Firefox may have encountered when installing Adobe Reader. GetPlus acts as a plug-in for your browser to download and install software and updates to that same software.
From their webpage:
Our getPlus Download-, Upload- and Installation Manager and igetPlus (for Mac OS) are sophisticated tools for an efficient distribution of digital goods.Download transactions should always be user-friendly, short and secure. Due to its unique features, getPlus fulfills these requirements of a successful electronic distribution of digital goods.
While some might sing its praises, I (and the commenters on that post) strongly disagree with errors abounding from the experience. It seems to fail the ‘user-friendly’ part of its description from my experience.
A user reported that they were getting a ‘Run As…’ prompt frequently while they were on the computer. Through asking them about the problem, I slowly deduced that it was only occuring as a result of browsing the web and more specifically, using Mozilla Firefox. It seems these prompts popped up each time Firefox was opened or even when a new window was opened.
Fearing something malicious, I began the investigation for anything suspicious. All I had to do was open a new window in Firefox and, seconds after being on the case, I had my first clue.
The Run As prompt that kept appearing.
The most telling thing about this prompt, since nowhere am I told what wants to run as an administrator, is the icon for the Run As window in the task bar.
I started up the trusty Process Explorer. Where I see more information to tie the icon for the Run as prompt to the process causing it and then eventually the culprit.
Process Explorer shows the culprit at work.
Hmm… getPlus_Adobe_reg_. getPlus(R) Download. After doing a little searching on the web I found the above explanation about this little piece of code.
From their webpage again:
getPlus® is the most powerful download agent in the market, acting on your customers’ machines on your behalf making possible various automated interactions (e.g. ability to pass parameters, read out information on client side, automated installation of your software, sign-off as proof of delivery after download is completed successfully).
Acting on my machine, on Adobe’s behalf. No thanks.
To disable the process in Firefox, go to Tools, Add-ons and switch to the Plugins “tab”. Scroll down to the getPlus for Adobe 15229 (may vary) and hit the Disable button.
Restart Firefox and the annoying prompts should go away. I’ll stick to downloading and installing software myself. You may have to visit Adobe with other browsers to get the option to download the usual executable (.exe).
Update: A better way of installing Adobe Reader when using Firefox as your browser – When the add-on install prompt for Firefox pops up, cancel from that and click the link on the page for the download that did not work. This will allow you to download the setup executable and install the product like normal. No GetPlus will be involved.
Update 9-10-09: Despite complaints and user problems with GetPlus, Adobe has spread its use to Adobe Flash recently as well.
You should uninstall the GetPlus Add-on from Firefox and click the ‘If it does not start, click here to download‘ link to get the original, full executable to install Adobe Flash.
Update 9-11-09: How to get Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader without GetPlus in Mozilla Firefox article.
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September 10th, 2009 at 7:34 PM
You know… I like Steam. I like it because it works, and I feel like my data and purchases are safe. It downloads what its supposed to like its supposed to. The continued pressure by more and more companies (stardock….) to move to forcing you to use their proprietary download service really annoys me. I already have a "universal" download service…. Its called the internet. I use Steam because its actually convenient and I can download my purchases time and again, but why should we have to install something to downlaod a free program….? Just doesn’t make sense…..
September 10th, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Particularly a program that doesn’t work in the case of GetPlus.
For home users, the case is different. Most people are administrators on their home computer. In the enterprise environment, very few people are administrators. That’s where the problem with GetPlus comes in. GetPlus allows people to circumvent Administrator privileges initially. Normally you would have to be an admin to install Adobe Reader. It’s dumb in this case, but it’s a broad policy that also prevents people from installing malware, KaZaA on the company Internet, and tons of other things. Then the problem comes in when you start getting calls off the hook because every time you start up Firefox (after an Adobe Reader update is released (and soon Adobe Flash)) you’re being prompted with a Run As dialog box because an admin is required to install updates to Adobe Reader.
Fortunately, most of my users don’t try to go this route because we prepare their machines with Adobe Reader included and I distribute the latest versions of the software with magic (GPO) at restart. Flash has really been getting annoying lately because many frequented sites (youtube, etc.) have recently been popping up that users need to have the latest version in order to properly view the site.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:52 PM
There is also a GetPlus(R) Helper in the Services tab of the System Configuration Utility (msconfig).
March 1st, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Another reason to hate Adobe Download Manager/GetPlus, it has its own vulnerabilities: http://www.adobe.com/support/security/b … 10-08.html
Here is Adobe’s FAQ page on their Download Manager: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/520/cpsid_52001.html
From what I read and what I experience, it needs to have a big "Your mileage may vary." disclaimer because it certainly doesn’t work in the field the way they describe it in the FAQ. If it did, I wouldn’t have any problem with it but then reality sets in…