Are software Installers just a means to collect data?

TheMystic · Dec 15, 2021

BrianInEngland said:
You seem to have an unhealthy dislike for Macrium, you have another post on here about it as well. Are you sponsored by another backup software maker?

No. Nothing of that sort even remotely. Don't like someone asking questions about your favourite product? Or should I think like you and ask if you are sponsored by Paramount?

clam1952 · Dec 15, 2021

If really bothered about what is phoning home use TCPView (Sysinternals) or CurrPorts (Nirsoft). Just checked having started Macrium and it's not showing as connecting anywhere. Pretty sure the only time it goes online is for updates or if you are initially installing it for registration purposes which on Free you can skip anyway.

TheMystic · Dec 15, 2021

clam1952 said:
If really bothered about what is phoning home use TCPView (Sysinternals) or CurrPorts (Nirsoft). Just checked having started Macrium and it's not showing as connecting anywhere. Pretty sure the only time it goes online is for updates or if you are initially installing it for registration purposes which on Free you can skip anyway.

I think the reason they use 'incoming' connection in Windows Firewall is to ensure that the license is genuine. I'm not sure though because there is no license in the free version. I have also seen another program - AOMEI Backupper do a similar thing with Windows Firewall, but not seen if they do the same with their free version as well.

Bree · Dec 15, 2021

TheMystic said:
I'm not sure though because there is no license in the free version.

Yes there is. The free version has its own licence key, just as the 30-day trial has one of its own. You can see the licence key in Reflect from the menu bar, select Help > About Macrium Reflect....

In fact there is no difference at all in the installed software between Free, Trial and Home, the only thing that determines which features are active is the licence key that's installed. You can change Home or Trial to Free just by installing the Free licence key (or Free to Home by buying a Home key and installing it). And when you do install the Free key it calls home to check with their registration server that it is a valid key, just as it would for a purchased key.

unifex · Dec 16, 2021

I'm not sure about Macrium, despite the fact that this software (and its analogues) are dearly beloved on these forums, I never found a need to use it, but almost any other software I use comes with an offline installer and I install it offline. I only use online installers when there is no other option and I really need the software (talking about you, Office!). Afterwards, what may and what may not connect to the internet can be controlled by the firewall (I am not sure whether the built-in Windows Firewall can be really helpful, I use a third-party product). That is, whenever something wants to connect, I get a message and can decide whether to allow it or not. In fact, that's why I run a firewall - to control which programs on my computer connect to the internet (nobody really wants to connect to my computer from the outside).

Edwin · Dec 16, 2021

TheMystic said:
...Is this method being used just to collect data on the customer?

Probably. Analytics generate revenues.

Bree · Dec 16, 2021

unifex said:
I'm not sure about Macrium ... almost any other software I use comes with an offline installer and I install it offline.

Macrium's one isn't really an online installer. It clearly describes itself when run as a Download Agent. It's purpose is to let you choose which options you want, then download the appropriate offline installer. You then have the option to run the offline installer immediately after download, or to keep it and use it later, on this or any other PC.