Whether you want it or not, you may accidentally install Apple’s Safari web browser on your computer by doing a routine update to your iTunes. That sounds strange? It is, as it seems to be a rather pushy strategy from Apple to promote their new software.

After Joe Wilcox noted in his Microsoft Watch blog yesterday that an Apple Software Update window popped on his daughter’s computer offering a Safari download as “bonus” to the regular update, talks about Apples strategy began to emerge.

Mozilla CEO John Lily noted on his blog: “What Apple is doing now with their Apple Software Update on Windows is wrong. It undermines the trust relationship great companies have with their customers, and that’s bad – not just for Apple, but for the security of the whole Web.”

Most of us choose to install updates without giving it much thought, considering we normally know what we’ve installed on our computers. Woke up with Safari and didn’t know why? There’s a ‘logical’ explanation for that: the iTunes update comes with Safari download…sounds fair, right? Why is it then that most tend to criticize the strategy, claiming unfairness for both customers and competition?

Mozilla CEO explained why he though this kind of practice is wrong: “The problem here is that it lists Safari for getting an update – and has the “install” box checked by default – even if you haven’t ever installed Safari on your PC […] It’s wrong because it undermines the trust that we’re all trying to build with users.”

Furthermore, John Lily said the practice is just wrong, that it undermines the safety of users and Apple should stop. It remains to be seen whether these observations will make Apple change strategy, in its quest to catch up with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox. They still have a long way to go, but in the meantime, think twice before installing an update!