Google Software Update sneaks its way onto computers

Software developers generally use one of three ways to alert and deliver version updates to users: a pop-up prompt when you launch the app, a systemwide refresh tool -- like the App Store for the iPhone and Firefox's add-on framework -- or nothing at all (they just hope the user checks their website at some point).

But then there's a fourth option -- one perhaps even worse than the "not tell you" approach. That's the standalone program, installed by a company, that looks for all updates to its suite of software.

We see this only in a few cases, when a development house has the audacity to assume you use so much of its software that you need an entirely separate program just to check for bug fixes. As Google's recent use of this shows, the execution can be anything but sweet.

For the record, I have no problem with Apple's Software Update app for the Mac or Microsoft's Windows Update on PCs. Obviously, if you're using a Mac, you have a great deal of Apple software and vice versa.

But Microsoft's AutoUpdate for Mac oversteps the operating system boundary. AutoUpdate latches on to a system after you install Microsoft Office and will periodically check for updates to those programs. Companies like this method because it keeps users informed about whatever tweaks the developer wants to throw at them. (Fortunately, AutoUpdate allows you to disable it in its preferences.)

Google has jumped on the bandwagon, too -- or rather, sneaked onto the wagon with ninja-like furtiveness. Like AutoUpdate, Google Software Update checks for new versions of Google software in the background, and it pops up a window when it finds something.

I saw it for the first time today. There I was, composing e-mails, and then, out of nowhere, an alert for ...

... an update to GoogleTalkPlugin -- a framework for video chat within the Gmail Web interface. After much prodding from a friend, I had installed the plug-in on a lark a month ago, when Google announced the feature. After a brief test, I quickly forgot about it.

As it turns out, when I installed the tiny plug-in, I also gave a free pass for Google's software updater to come along for the ride. Thanks for the memo, Google.

Now, software companies don't really appreciate when writers compare their products to a Trojan horse (you know, because of the whole computer virus connotation). But when I download a program and some unwanted junk comes onto my computer without my knowledge, it's a classic Trojan scenario.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But I'm willing to bet the company wouldn't have liked that analogy.

The updater doesn't appear to do anything harmful, per se. But it's annoying. Although it's well-hidden, it runs constantly and cannot be disabled unless you remove the software it's associated with. Only a few apps are supported at the moment -- the Talk plugin, App Engine and Google Earth Plugin, among them.

Google provides very little documentation on Software Update -- only a couple of Web pages for third-party developers to code their programs to tie in with Update Engine.

A few bloggers have sounded off on the "security breach," as some call it. A Google employee, who goes by the name Roman N, responded to concerns on a developer message board, saying, "We'll look into modifying the wording on the installer splash page to clarify this auto update procedure."

Well, at least they're looking into it.

My advice to any developers who think their software is so awesome that it should have its own standalone program for updates: Don't. And if you think it's absolutely necessary, at least tell your users about it.

-- Mark Milian

Comments

[Glen Campbell]

Adobe is the worst. I use Acrobat Reader once every three months, so whenever I start it to view a PDF, I'm interrupted by their software update program telling me that it's looking for new versions, and would I please install them? It's like you can NEVER use the program without, instead, having to update software.

[Jason]

The author seems to be blissfully unaware of the biggest problem with these updating programs: they give the software publisher OR ANYONE WHO GAINS LEGAL CONTROL OVER THE PUBLISHER to remotely subtract functionality from the program after the fact, as well as the ability to add new but unwanted, user-unfriendly functionality.

Anyone who wants to avoid being complicit in such lameness should write their software in such a way that users always have to take the initiative to do an update.

[msavoy]

There many tricks software makers employ to get their products in the forefront of your desktop priority usage.

*Programs that surreptitiously make their way to your start up programs list on their own initiative despite having deleted them from the start up manager list.

*Third party applications that have deals to offer search/tool bar applications that will insert themselves into your browser, desktop even when you uncheck the option. The very worst is Vuze, formerly the Bit Torrent tool I used to use, that no matter what would always install the Yahoo/Ask Toolbar into my Firefox Apps no matter what and to which I deleted and finally moved on to UTorrent.

*Microsoft is forever making their software the default programs on their own without consultation, permission or notice.

*Many new installations that I've tried such as Miro audio/video media player with nearly a hundred software default choices will make every format they offer as default without the basest courtesy to inform you of it.

I have a very strict policy about any application I catch doing anything without my express consent and that is total immediate removal, deletion from my desktop

My last comment is that I frequently check all start up programs on a regular basis to make sure any unwanted apps make their way to the start up program is immediately deleted from the start up manager. I've been absolutely shocked
at how many times I find programs unauthorized to be on the start up roster.

[Jamie Meredith]

What is the difference between an updater program vs creating hooks in the primary application itself which update the programs? Nothing. Google provides a service that is free. You choose to use that service and what comes with it. Get over it. Google is known for being a "good" company with a strong track history of doing good things for the people of the world. Why find something so nit picky to complain about?

Stupid rants like this are what make me avoid big media publications like the LA Times. Find something newsworthy to write about and quit rehashing something that is already well covered.

[PookieBadMuffin]

This is almost as annoying as declining Apple's MobileMe on my Windows box, yet it installed a Preferences icon in Control Panel - then continues to request an install of MobileMe with every (huge) iTunes or Safari update.

[benwaynet]

I hope your joking, the apple updater is the worse auto-update application around. It adds applications to the list to be updated you don't even currently have installed!! I had to install Itune for a friend, next thing I know it wants to update mobileme and safari...WTF...

[Loan]

Does this google updater looks only for google related programs or all the software residing on that system . Does it slow down the performance of the system .

[Matthew Dillon]

Don't be such a prat, you taint the rest of us with your obnoxious behavior. Take two seconds to read documentation before you install software, and you won't be so shocked all the time.

Customizing the Updater: Software update preferences
The Google Updater lets you choose if and how you're notified about updates for software you've installed through Google Pack. To set your preferences for Pack software updates, follow these steps:

Click the Start menu on your computer taskbar.
Select Programs.
Select Google Updater.
Select Google Updater again in the submenu.
Click the Preferences tab.
Click the Advanced options link.
In the 'Updates' section, select one of the following options:
'Automatically update software': Silently keep your software up-to-date without any prompts or notifications. (Occasionally, an issue may need your attention, in which case you'll be notified.)
'Notify me when there are new updates': Receive update notifications. You can then choose when you'd like to install them.
'Let me check for updates myself': Don't receive any update notifcations. Your software won't be updated automatically. To see a list of available updates,click the Updates tab.
Once you've made your selection, click the Save Preferences button.