NYT: A Watchdog Group Warns Against AOL’s Free Software

[DeepModem Mom]

A Watchdog Group Warns Against AOL’s Free Software
By TOM ZELLER Jr.
Published: August 29, 2006

Dealing yet another blow to AOL, a leading software watchdog group warned users away from AOL’s free client software yesterday on the ground that it displayed characteristics consistent with “badware.”

The term badware describes a wide array of downloadable applications that try to install extra components on a computer without clearly informing users of what they are or what they will do.

The group, StopBadware.org, posted an “open inquiry” into the AOL software yesterday, meaning that a dialogue has been opened with the company and that a full “badware” designation is still pending.

The report, however, stated that the AOL client software, which provides subscribers with a suite of services, also installed extra software deceptively, altered the Web browser and other computer components without notifying the user, and did not uninstall completely, among other “badware behaviors.”

Similar characteristics are often found in pernicious forms of spyware and adware, often called malware. The StopBadware organization was founded in part to assist consumers in spotting shady software. The group is jointly run by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School and the Oxford Internet Institute of Oxford University....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/technology/29aol.html

[datadiva]

1. Anyone who has ever used AOL

was already aware of this. Unless they are completely computer illiterate.

[hermetic]

2. Plus it seems to be impossible to get rid of

It came free on my notebook purchased in January. I have run the Uninstall on it 3 times, yet still it lurks in my program files, like some evil crocodile.

[NMDemDist2]

4. and if you hack it out at the roots, you'll have to reload the entire OS

trust me, I've been there.....

[samsingh]

3. timely warning

[Systematic Chaos]

5. My two least favorite terms in my tech support job:

"AOL" and "E-Machines". :puke:

[lpbk2713]

6. Also .... "Free Screensavers and Desktop Wallpaper" ...... n/t

[Egnever]

8. dont forget Incredimail!

I am constantly amazed at how many people have that crap running on their machines.

[Egnever]

7. E machines?

Why don't you like them?

Emachines are great in my opinion. I would never buy a premade machine for myself but as pre made machines go they are one of the least cluttered with trash and made purely to be functional instead of trying to be fancy. I dread working on dells or hp's when it comes to hardware. However E machines are built like a box I would build myself. No proprietary bullshit just the parts that are needed.

AOL on the other hand... I have fixed more machines because of AOL issues than probably everything else out there combined.

[RebelOne]

11. I have had an Emachine for the past three years

and I am quite satisfied with it. If you are only using your computer to surf the Web, Emachines are the cheap way to go.

[Egnever]

12. I recommend them to my customers all the time

Any time i run into a client that wants to "fix" a machine that is over 4 years old I turn them onto Emachines. For the money you cant do better In my opinion. Hell for a lot more money you cant do better. I am really curious to know what the above posters problems have been with emachines as I have found them to be great for my customers.

Now HP they are a different story and dell comes and goes.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. It's nothing but a virus, IMHO.

I NEVER recommend AOL to my clients. There are too many other "clean" dial-up ISPs, and I don't think I'd ever trust their new high speed service either.

[WhiteTara]

10. kick

:kick: for internet honesty

[Miss Chybil]

13. Stopbadware.org has a lot of interesting info

Thanks for posting.