[weef]

My daughter accidentally downloaded 6 different programs while trying to download Paint.net some which were malware. While I understand these are ads probably out of their control, their website is extremely deceptive in my opinion and should be modified to make the actual Paint.net download more obvious.

[user24]

heck, I downloaded some random program while trying to install it a few weeks ago - and I've got a compsci MSc from Oxford.

[Ntrails]

I did the same about 6 months ago trying to grab speedfan for someone else in the office. I never had any trouble before cause adblock and so didn't even think to be careful :(

[DanBC]

I am surprised that any ad networks allow these links. It ine of the few things that makes me want to install an ad blocker.

[fournm]

It's why I do use adblockers. I try to disable them on sites that don't do anything nearly this scummy, which is frustrating because stuff like Paint.net I otherwise want to support.

[Grue3]

I'm pretty sure these ads are exactly what they are to maximize click-rate, and therefore to give Paint.NET's author the most money. Very exploitative (with emphasis on exploit).

[morganvachon]

What I find interesting is that when people go to the PDN forums to call him out on it, even in a nice way ("hey, I love your software but I got a bunch of malware instead due to the big fake buttons, just wanted you to know"), he blasts them and whines about how little money he makes off of a project he pours his life into, and how he's going to just quit because it's not worth the hassle anymore.

Then he releases a new version, makes even bigger buttons that lead to even scummier malware, and the cycle repeats.

I get the need to make money off of your hard work, and certainly the guy does a fantastic job on the software, but he's pulling some really shitty tactics to make that money. Why not a lite/pro version setup, or something else above board?

[weef]

The lite vs. pro version is a great suggestion and I would have purchased a pro version for my daughter immediately to avoid the malware hassles it caused us. Instead she purchased an academic version of Photoshop which was $100 USD or in that ballpark. This is a shame because Paint.net is a great product and I'd like to see it succeed but their business side is poorly executed. I'll need to head over to the PDN forums and express my frustration.