[anon1385]

I can see why people might choose to pick this option when ordering a computer for a less computer savvy friend or relative. Finding and downloading Firefox safely is not trivial if you aren't very tech literate. I just did a search for "firefox" on Google a few moments ago and these are the top 'results': http://i.imgur.com/FZDn4rB.png Obviously most HN users will notice that those ads don't point to the official Mozilla site, but to dodgy third party sites where the software is bundled with spyware and toolbars.

It's all well and good for Mozilla to be questioning Dell over charging for this, but perhaps they should also spend some time trying to make it so that users can find Firefox safely from the biggest search engine in the world. Mozilla have plenty of experience at public relations. When they want to they can get their press releases and stories in just about every tech news sites in the world (this story being an apparent example of that, this is the second submission to HN because it is being so widely reported). If Google are refusing to sort out the problem[1] then Mozilla need to put up some fight and get the public on their side. Put together stories with screenshots and explain the security and privacy risks of the spyware and rogue browser extensions that those sites bundle.

[1] which seems to be the situation; I've been noticing these malware ads for the last year or so (and they've probably been around a lot longer) and apparently repeated complains have been raised

[daleharvey]

I expect people do raise the issue with malware ads with Google, but as stated its a Google problem and not much Mozilla can do about it.

Why in the hell would mozilla be pushing this as PR?

[anon1385]

>its a Google problem and not much Mozilla can do about it.

What they can do about it is complain loudly and publicly to try and force Google to stop their shitty behaviour. The same way they engaged in PR campaigns about Firefox not being allowed on iOS or H264 requiring patent licences, or dozens of other topics.

>Why in the hell would mozilla be pushing this as PR?

Because that seems to be the only solution left open to them to try and stop millions of users of their software being infected with malware. Are you saying that Mozilla should only talk to the media when it is about ideological political things like software patents, and not about real world threats to their users?

[daleharvey]

'this' meant the story about Dell 'selling' Firefox, which will probably end up as a bit of a shitty thing to do but likely within their rights. You seem to have reached a confusing conclusion that this is out the the Mozilla PR machine.