Badware, which comes in the forms of spyware, malware and adware, is malicious software that has deceptive installation practices and could fundamentally alter infected computers’ processes. The tricky thing about badware, according to the coalition, is that most users don’t even know they’ve downloaded it. Some types of badware accompany downloads, while others might self-install when a user is watching media or playing a game on a website. This can lead to slowdowns, computer crashes and even identity theft.
StopBadware.org pegged AOL 9.0 as badware because it installs additional software without informing the user, forces the user to take certain actions, makes changes to previously installed programs and 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,” the organization said.
AOL 9.0 is free software that the Internet service provider gives to subscribers for connecting to the Internet.
In a response from AOL posted on the coalition’s site, StopBadware.org said, “AOL reports that they are reviewing this report and that they are taking steps to address what’s noted here. With regards to uninstallation, AOL says that a design flaw in the uninstaller mistakenly leaves executables running, even after a restart. The company says it is working on a fix, and in the meantime, that the executables do nothing even though they are running.”
The coalition was established by Harvard Law’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society along with Oxford University’s Oxford Internet Institute. Tech giants Lenovo and Sun Microsystems also support the coalition.