Bearshare

Bearshare is another peer to peer client for downloading songs, videos and programs similar to Morpheus. Bearshare offers the option to buy the pro version or download a free version. I downloaded the free version and ran it and got this first screen:

No mention of any Adware or Spyware here, onto the next screen.

I read this very carefully and there was still no mention of any Adware or Spyware. Onto the next screen.

No mention of Adware or Spyware here either. If I press Next at this step it will proceed to install Bearshare.
Unlike the other installers, there is no warning at all of any Adware or Spyware so the regular home user that does actually read license agreement should feel safe that their system wont get infected by installing Bearshare right? Wrong.

I visited the Bearshare website and read the comparisons between Bearshare Pro and Bearshare Free. It seems Bearshare Pro has a tick next to the words “No bundled software of any kind”, but the free version has a X next to this field which means that the free version does come with bundled software.

I doubt many people would actually read this features comparison chart and for those who were directly linked to the download, they will never see it at all and will unknowingly install the Adware and Spyware. Had I installed Bearshare I would have become infected with “WhenU Weather” and “WhenU SaveNow”.