Re. The “Converting all your Files” download notification.

[Using: Windows 7, 64 bit OS, with Chrome]

Regarding the “Converting all your Files” notification as a part of downloading Audacity.

While I certainly have nothing against defensive or protective software, so naturally I am having an impossible time trying to understand why anybody would ever want to modify perhaps 100s of thousands of files that everybody has on their computer, particularly as part of a download process, which is being converted into some unknown and potentially damaging or inadvertently destructive result that is inevitably relevant when a clear warning message is provided, stating:

“Convert All Your Files”

“Click the “Start Converting Files” button to begin converting your files.”

“Start Converting Files”

All what files and which files would be rewritten? —in what manner and for what purpose? All of which is evidently the opposite of sanity. However, we are aware that such erratic demands to disrupt file systems have been repeatedly inflicted, in one collection of cases supposedly in the name of convenience by several companies, completely disrupting photo file structures on millions of personal computers.

Which is here justified by stating that the, “Easy Converter New Tab, gives you the ability to quickly and powerfully convert your files – directly from your New Tab.”

What could that possibly mean? Convert all my files to what? I already have a Word editor to change my text files and I have never heard of anyone ever wanting their text, their system or image files to be mysteriously converted or changed at random, particularly in some unknown and obviously potentially disastrous manner.

Naturally, I considered that this could be a malicious software attack, portraying itself as an Audacity audio executable download, and perhaps I have been just given an ominous but unusually fair warning of a pending disaster. So, naturally I did not press the “Start Converting Files” button!!

So I looked into Un-installing Audacity, but didn’t see any such program listed anywhere, including through the Control Panel. Then for your reference I included a screen image of the dire warning message that appeared in the middle of the display.

I have documented every step in this elusive attack, with numerous screen saved JPGs. However, also doing another web search to verify the Audacity address, along with examining the referral link to Audacity, which I had used, both on Chrome and again verified on Internet Explorer, all of which arrive at exactly the same: http://www.aucacityteam.org/home website.

A QUESTION: Perhaps someone can explain how to download the Audacity audio program 2.2.0 for a Windows 7 machine without “Converting all the files” on this computer into some unknown or potentially catastrophic state, or alternatively how to remove the Audacity and Easy Converter software which is not listed as being installed, via the Control Panel or in the “All Programs” list, while new elements from this download have clearly been installed and have notably modified Chrome.

Also, why are there so many never explained and never before seen steps in this very unusual download process, along with the ominous and obviously potentially dangerous warnings, whether they are created inside Audacity for an unknown purpose or outside of Audacity for an unknown purpose or potentially a dangerous attack?


Thank you for any related information or reference,

Tom W, November 2, 2017


(Apparently only 4 images are allowed, number 4 being the point where I stopped.)

1. Continue (JPEG: G)
2. Add extension to complete the installation?? (H)
3. EZ installed (i)
4. Start converting What?? (J)

http://www.audacityteam.org/home/
http://forum.audacityteam.org

I suspect that you got tricked into clicking on a deceptive advertisement.

The correct address for the Audacity website is: https://www.audacityteam.org/
Ideally you should use the “https” version rather than the “http” version, though both go to the same site.

The Audacity website carries a few adverts (maximum 1 per page in the right column). The adverts are clearly marked as such, and even have a warning about the risk of deceptive adverts. An example is shown below.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, deceptive ads sometimes slip through Google’s filters and display what we refer to as a “BGB” (a Big Green download Button).
An example of the kind of thing below:

If you encounter this type of deceptive advert on any website, don’t install it. If you accidentally do install it, you should immediately uninstall it, and then scan your computer for viruses.

Sadly, this type of advert has become extremely common on the Internet. Ensure that your computer security is kept up to date.

A submission request.

When I backed-up the following message, I noticed that the 4 JPEG attachments were deleted, which were part of the message. So, I re-attached the JPGs, then for the first time submitted the message and the JPGs for posting, which was rejected because I was told that I already submitted the message.
Apparently, backing-up the message, had mysteriously constituted submitting the posting, apparently without the JPEG attachments, and without the corrections. So, is there a way to delete the backed-up version, which I didn’t submit but was automatically submitted, and then provide the actual message for the first time, as follows:


Re. The “Converting all your Files” download notification.

[Using: Windows 7, 64 bit OS, with Chrome]

Regarding the “Converting all your Files” notification as a part of downloading Audacity.

While I certainly have nothing against defensive or protective software, so naturally I am having an impossible time trying to understand why anybody would ever want to modify perhaps 100s of thousands of files that everybody has on their computer, particularly as part of a download process, which is being converted into some unknown and potentially damaging or inadvertently destructive result that is inevitably relevant when a clear warning message is provided, stating:

“Convert All Your Files”

“Click the “Start Converting Files” button to begin converting your files.”

“Start Converting Files”

All what files and which files would be rewritten? —in what manner and for what purpose? All of which is evidently the opposite of sanity. However, we are aware that such erratic demands to disrupt file systems have been repeatedly inflicted, in one collection of cases supposedly in the name of convenience by several companies, completely disrupting photo file structures on millions of personal computers.

Which is here justified by stating that the, “Easy Converter New Tab, gives you the ability to quickly and powerfully convert your files – directly from your New Tab.”

What could that possibly mean? Convert all my files to what? I already have a Word editor to change my text files and I have never heard of anyone ever wanting their text, their system or image files to be mysteriously converted or changed at random, particularly in some unknown and obviously potentially disastrous manner.

Naturally, I considered that this could be a malicious software attack, portraying itself as an Audacity audio executable download, and perhaps I have been just given an ominous but unusually fair warning of a pending disaster. So, naturally I did not press the “Start Converting Files” button!!

So I looked into Un-installing Audacity, but didn’t see any such program listed anywhere, including through the Control Panel. Then for your reference I included a screen image of the dire warning message that appeared in the middle of the display.

I have documented every step in this elusive attack, with numerous screen saved JPGs. However, also doing another web search to verify the Audacity address, along with examining the referral link to Audacity, which I had used, both on Chrome and again verified on Internet Explorer, all of which arrive at exactly the same: http://www.aucacityteam.org/home website.

A QUESTION: Perhaps someone can explain how to download the Audacity audio program 2.2.0 for a Windows 7 machine without “Converting all the files” on this computer into some unknown or potentially catastrophic state, or alternatively how do I remove the Audacity and Easy Converter software which is not listed as being installed, via the Control Panel or in the “All Programs” list, while new elements from this download have clearly been installed and have notably modified Chrome.

Also, why are there so many never explained and never before seen steps in this very unusual download process, along with the ominous and obviously potentially dangerous warnings, whether they are created inside Audacity for an unknown purpose or outside of Audacity, also for an unknown purpose or potentially a dangerous attack?


Thank you for any related information or reference,

Tom W, November 2, 2017


(Apparently only 4 images are allowed, number 4 being the point where I stopped.)

1. Continue (JPEG: G)
2. Add extension to complete the installation?? (H)
3. EZ installed (i)
4. Start converting What?? (J)

http://www.audacityteam.org/home/
http://forum.audacityteam.org

As I’ve already replied to your first message, I’ve just merged the two topics rather than deleting your first one.

To download Audacity 2.2.0 for Windows:
Go to this web page: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/windows/
and click on the text link near the top of the page where it says: “Audacity 2.2.0 installer (19.34 MB, includes help files)”

Just a suggestion for the future…

Download the file first.

…When it open my Downloads/Audacity folder I see "audacity-win-2.2.0.exe’ so I know it’s the right file before I click it to install.