Some of the software the adware installer requires an opt out to not install can be harmful or hard to remove, like the "Search Offer powered by Bing" in the article linked elsewhere in this site. Even the free AVs will often start you as a trial for the paid version or have incredibly easy ways to convert your install to such a trial and nag the user to pay up once the trial expires, arguably reducing their computer security.

I know HN has a strong libertarian bent, and uou could argue this is a free market, buyer beware situation, but in that case, wouldn't the criticism posted be part of that and how buyers know that they should beware?

So the people who dont know better pay for stuff they dont need? Sounds like literally everything else. Most people who buys cars dont know anything about cars and thus they likely overpay. This sucks but its in fact a "free market" thing.

A free market, according to my econ prof at least, has:

1. easy entrance/exit to the market,

2. many buyers and sellers, and

3. perfect information availability.

If the players don't have good information, it is at best a severely degraded free market.

All the infos about cars are easily available. It chances nothing, most buyers of car simply dont care enough to get fundamental knowledge about cars. If you would value the time it takes for an average car buyer to get fundamental knowledge it would cost way more than what they overpay so unless you already have above average knowledge it makes no sense to dig into it. You are better off asking someone who has the knowledge and no incentive to fool you aka a friend not the sale person.