KLAGRECA  Interesting. I have the "Google Updater" installed and it's not informing me of this new version of GEarth. If it can't do it's job, what good is it???  
(Version 5.0.11733.9347)

SJHA  Excellent post - thank you for this tip! This method of disabling the obnoxious GoogleSoftwareUpdater seems also to work with Picasa.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MISTERE  Thanks for this tip! If you want to comment on this issue or learn more about this update process that runs as ROOT please check this discussion:

http://groups.google.com/group/google-earth-browser-plugin/browse_thread/thread/146882feca2788c3/951a4533372ba8ce#951a4533372ba8ce  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MISHA  Or you can download the plug-in uninstaller here:

http://earth-api-samples.googlecode.com/files/GoogleEarth-Plugin-Uninstaller.dmg

Google said that they are going modify the installer to also give you the option of not installing it. No personal information is every captured or transmitted, and the connection to Google uses SSL for extra protection.

Still, not a smart move on Google's part to do this, but not exactly malicious, either.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MISTERE  The process runs as ROOT, completely unacceptable! What if every developer took this approach to updating their software? Your Mac would be brought to it's knees by all the software update processes  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

LEOOFBORG  Mistere, a number of other 3rd party vendor processes run as root; like printer processes and VMWare. I'd be surprised if Google *didn't* put something in /Library and run as root. However- The question is should they have? And why?

Having a background updater process that the user cannot control might be VERY hard on, say, users with broadband quotas or tethered [to a cell device]...

I'm surprised that Google didn't consider this.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

GUNNI  How does one go about deleting the contents of the files you noted?

I am looking at them, but when I hit command/delete, nada.

I am logged into my Mac in an administrator's account. Must I log out and log back

in at root level?

Thanks,

Bob  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MISHA  Just use the official Google uninstalled I linked to above in this thread, Gunni (also linked at the top of the MacUpdate page).  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

M-RICK  It is very easy to forbid the installation of the updater :

trash the contents of the GoogleSoftwareUpdate folder, then change all the rights to deny, and lock it.

Google Earth will run normally and the folder will not be updated.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

CED  I completely agree with you comment. Thank you very much for the tip how deactivating the update agent !  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MACUPDATE ADMIN  "Is there anyone listening??"

Yes, but I'm not sure anyone cares. More's the pity.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

GARY30  I remember a few years ago when Sony added a root kit to their CD's. Only a few people were affected, but it created massive bad feelings that last to this day. It seems to me that this Google Updater is a root kit for Macs, plain and simple. it's evil.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

MISTERE  MacUpdate Admin wrote:

"Yes, but I'm not sure anyone cares. More's the pity."

Yes but if every developer did this there would be far less demand for this website. Sure people would look for new software here but most users probably come and check all the updates for the last few days picking and choosing what they want to install. I like to read some comments from someone else who has tried it before I install an update.

This background process installs what it wants, taking my choice out of the equation.

I'm not installing or buying Toast 10 because they dropped DivX which I learned about through comments here. I might have hauled off and wasted my money were it not for this.

It would seem to be in the MU Admin's interest to not have dodgy update processes like this proliferate. I can see other devs thinking "well if Google does it why don't I."  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

PEDRO FARDILHA  Hi, thank you for the link.

But it's sad that we need to do that, instead of Google doing the right thing and stop with this nonsense.

What else do they need to finally realize that most of us don't like the idea of giving them full access to our computers??  
(Version 5.1.3506.3999)

M-RICK  there quite more simple to do :

Before installing, in ~/Library/Google/

Create a locked GoogleSoftwareUpdate folder and that's it, Google Update will never be able to put it's spyware in here anymore.

just like here http://www.mac4ever.com/images/images_actu/47398_744_astuce_faire_taire_google_update.png

If it has already installed before, just do the steps has described in MacOS X hints to uninstall Google Update and then do my my trick and that's it.

here is a screen capture i made after installing Google Desktop, it has been perfectly installed excepting Google Update http://www.mac4ever.com/images/images_actu/47398_224_astuce_faire_taire_google_update.png

For those who can read French, i put it there http://www.mac4ever.com/news/47398/astuce_faire_taire_google_update/  
(Version 5.1.3506.3999)

DRDUL  This tip about creating a locked GoogleSoftwareUpdate folder is fantastic! Works like a charm!  
(Version 5.1.3509.4636)

STEVE66  I use Little Snitch and just never let new apps call out on their own, or at all.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )

ILGAZ  Even if you are on 24/7 connection, running some process which has connection capabilities every 2 hours as "root" is a major security threat. It doesn't really matter if it is open source, Firefox is open source too, doesn't it have security issues?  
(Version 5.0.11729.1014)

UNIQUE-ISH  Little Snitch will solve those problems. It costs, but it's money well spent for anyone who wants to know what shenanigans their programs are up to.  
(Version 5.0.11729.1014)

YOSHINATSU  This "conspiracy" thing is being taken too far these days...

No one's spying on you.

And even if they do, you clicked "Agree" to that disclaimer thingie.

It's their right if you did.  
(Version 5.0.11337.1968 )