29 votes

Microsoft to forcibly install Bing search extension in Chrome for Office 365 ProPlus users

10 comments

  1. [2]
    dblohm7
    Link
    These kinds of tactics are actually something that we had to start dealing with aggressively at Mozilla. Too much malware replacing users's default search engine with some other crap (unbeknownst...

    These kinds of tactics are actually something that we had to start dealing with aggressively at Mozilla. Too much malware replacing users's default search engine with some other crap (unbeknownst to the user).

    That's why we've eliminated extension side-loading.

    17 votes
    1. babypuncher
      Link Parent
      As usual, Mozilla is the only browser maker actually keeping the users best interests at heart.

      As usual, Mozilla is the only browser maker actually keeping the users best interests at heart.

      4 votes
  2. [2]
    unknown user
    Link
    This is malware messing with the functionality of other malware. It mentions an opt out for sysadmins, and I imagine they all will. Especially after the complaints from employees come in. Can...

    This is malware messing with the functionality of other malware.

    It mentions an opt out for sysadmins, and I imagine they all will. Especially after the complaints from employees come in.

    Can Chrome respond? Do they change the default email provider in outlook to gmail (that'd be funny)? Do they just "blacklist" microsofts extension?

    10 votes
    1. skybrian
      Link Parent
      Chrome has attempted to prevent unwanted extension installation before. See Taking Action On Deceptive Installation Tactics. I don't know how successful it was though.

      Chrome has attempted to prevent unwanted extension installation before. See Taking Action On Deceptive Installation Tactics. I don't know how successful it was though.

      5 votes
  3. [2]
    Gaywallet
    Link
    I guess they learned nothing from forcing IE to be the default browser

    I guess they learned nothing from forcing IE to be the default browser

    8 votes
    1. heady
      Link Parent
      They learned that it was effective in giving them a monopoly for years.

      They learned that it was effective in giving them a monopoly for years.

      16 votes
  4. rmgr
    Link
    Shit like this is why I'm experimenting with hosting a Nextcloud server and it's integration with OnlyOffice. It costs nothing and from my initial playing with it, it seems powerful enough for day...

    Shit like this is why I'm experimenting with hosting a Nextcloud server and it's integration with OnlyOffice.

    It costs nothing and from my initial playing with it, it seems powerful enough for day to day editing.

    7 votes
  5. [2]
    Grendel
    Link
    This is being a bit sensationalized. Office 365 ProPlus is only offered to larger enterprise level customers. Any organization large enough to have this also has an Office 365 Admin that can opt...

    This is being a bit sensationalized. Office 365 ProPlus is only offered to larger enterprise level customers. Any organization large enough to have this also has an Office 365 Admin that can opt them out of this.

    Consumers won't see this, and the only businesses that will are large ones, and even then they can easily opt out. I'm not saying what they're doing is great, but it has definitely been blown out of proportion.

    5 votes
    1. TheJorro
      Link Parent
      Yup, this seems like something in the vein all the claims Microsoft made about the number of Teams users as competition to Slack. It's easy to claim Teams has x million users only because that's...

      Yup, this seems like something in the vein all the claims Microsoft made about the number of Teams users as competition to Slack.

      It's easy to claim Teams has x million users only because that's how many licenses have been purchased for enterprises. Technically, my workplace has 60k Micorosft Teams users. I barely know anyone who actually uses it though.

      I bet this is a move to inflate the number of Bing uses.

      1 vote