Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 125872
Genuine OpenOffice download hijacked by profiteers
Last modified: 2018-08-04 16:21:06 UTC
There are regularly messages complaining of costly or spammed OpenOffice, example http://www.mail-archive.com/dev@openoffice.apache.org/msg21460.html I usually download Apache OpenOffice through http://openoffice.org and have never had such problem. But I am using AdBlock Edge as anti-spammer. Today I tested this same address but after disconnecting AdBlockEdge. Completely different view! In the center of the SourceForge web page I see (translated from french) : OpenOffice 2014 Install OpenOffice here Update OpenOffice ! And a link that, when followed, provides another OpenOffice where the Terms and conditions say: 1. Service Premium FULLTIME NETWORKS LIMITED (...) Service costs will be 4.50Eur per code + price of an sms. The download of the genuine OpenOffice appears delayed, so the user may already have clicked the "premium" OpenOffice. I think Apache OpenOffice must not accept such a rip-off.
Created attachment 84205 [details] Sourceforge web page fro download The small window starting download of Apache OpenOffice exe displays only after several seconds. If the user has click on the advertisement in blue, its own download begins already, see next screenshot.
Created attachment 84206 [details] Terms and conditions of the other OpenOffice The installation of the OpenOffice of the advertiser begins with its term and conditions. It clearly indicates that the user has to pay for OpenOffice.
I think this is a general SourceForge problem, I also see these forwards to impostor download sites for other software like "VLC Player" if AdBlock is switched off. Has to be fixed by SourceForge.
Created attachment 84208 [details] Screenshot @SF team: affected are Applications showing that a little blurred "Download" string in the green download button. Steps how to reproduce: 1. In Browser without Adblocker open <http://sourceforge.net/projects/viking> Everything looks fine 2. Click green download button <https://sourceforge.net/projects/viking/files/latest/download> will appear bug: on that page you will see those blurry download buttons for Gimp, VLC, OpenOffice, 7z, may be others, what will lead to strange download pages [1] [2] or others My Antivirus gives Alerts like in [1] Best regards Rainer Bielefeld Redirect to strange download sites [1] <http://files4.fastdownload7.com/download/1134390/dl?bc=1134390&pid=sourceforge&brand=7Zip.tv&country=DE&cb=1877694671&zTmp=1 Information: Enthält Erkennungsmuster der Adware ADWARE/Adware.Gen> [2] <fileopenerapp.com>
I discussed that in a freenode chat with SourceForge staff (JBarrett1), they now are working on that issue and will leave a comment here as soon as the problem will have been fixed.
In the meantime the following was reported by Roberto on the dev@ mailinglist: "The above mentioned ads has been removed from the catalog, it will disappear in the next hour. Sorry for the inconvenience, I've asked our AdOps team to put a tighter control on ads" I think it can be finally tested & verified the next hours. @bmarcelly: Please report such issues on the dev@ mailinglist as they are suited better there. The AOO bugzilla is for its software and webpages. Issues on Sourceforge or any other external website cannot be fixed by us, but only influenced. ;-)
(In reply to Marcus from comment #6) > Please report such issues on the dev@ mailinglist as they are suited better > there. The AOO bugzilla is for its software and webpages. Issues on > Sourceforge or any other external website cannot be fixed by us, but only > influenced. ;-) So status set as NOT AN ISSUE