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Questionable website loaded by Wise Disk Cleaner

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PortableGood
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Questionable website loaded by Wise Disk Cleaner

Just a "heads up"... the Wise Disk Cleaner app has a button on the main toolbar that, when pressed, loads up a site that seemed rather questionable. It was some sort of site in which the visitor would pay money to get answers to unrelated topics.

It seemed questionable, so I immediately uninstalled Wise Disk Cleaner... which was super easy due to the excellent Portable Apps Platform! (Thank you!)

Anyways, it's just a heads up. I didn't try the other "Wise" apps to see if they did the same sort of thing, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they did.

John T. Haller
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eAsk, Monetization

Wise apps have an Assist button on their toolbar that links into eAsk. It appears to be a question and answer portal where you can pay to get answers to questions you have. You don't need to use or click on it. It doesn't affect app usage.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

PortableGood
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Questionable Monetization in Wise apps

I agree. But it is rather deceptive. The button is designed in the UI to appear like it will assist you with using the app (perhaps context sensitive help). But, in fact, it has nothing to do with the app and, when clicked, loads a web browser and sends the user to an unrelated monetization site.

I personally am not willing to use software that employs that type of deception. Others will decide for themselves.

I do think this type of questionable behavior is worthy of at least a thread to notify users. This type of monetization is a very slippery slope.

John T. Haller
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Needed?

I don't think any kind of notice would be needed, really. It does nothing locally. It does nothing unless you sign up. As soon as you visit the site it's clear what it does. It's had that button since we started packaging the apps over 3 years ago.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

PortableGood
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Does Wise control that site?

Does Wise control that site? Many times these types of sites start off as benign (I'm not claiming that it is, or is not), but then get taken over by domain squatters. The links in the apps are appear to be hard links, meaning that if the site goes bad, the software will continue to open it whenever those buttons are pressed within the apps. People have Portable Apps sitting on USB drives that often don't get regularly updated.

Something to think about...

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