Smartphone and Gadget News by ElectroGeek

According to a report published by StopBadware.org , AOL 9.0 (Free Version) is being labeled as “badware.” As stated by Stopbadware.org, “In our preliminary findings, we find that AOL 9.0 (free version) is currently badware because it installs additional software without telling the user, it forces the user to take certain actions, it adds various components to Internet Explorer and the taskbar without disclosure, it may automatically update without the user’s consent, and it fails to uninstall completely.

We currently recommend that users do not install the version of AOL software that we tested, unless the user is comfortable with the level of risk we identify or until the application is updated consistent with the recommendations in this report.”

Some of the badware behavior of AOL 9.0 (Free Version) include the following:

1. Installs additional software without disclosure (Deceptive installation)
2. Forces users to take an action (Interferes with computer use)
3. Adds AOL toolbar in Internet Explorer (Makes changes to other software without disclosure)
4. Adds additional icons to default Internet Explorer toolbar (Makes changes to other software without disclosure)
5. Adds to “Favorites” in Internet Explorer (Modifies other software without disclosure)
6. Adds AOL Deskbar to the user’s taskbar (Modifies other software without disclosure)
7. Updates software automatically (Deceptive installation)
8. Fails to uninstall software completely (Unacceptable unistallation)

For further information on this story visit: StopBadware.org

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