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Spyware: Sunbelt's CounterSpy tells Hotbar it is indeed Adware |
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"Moreover, the most prestigious and popular anti-spyware programs in the industry do
not detect Hotbar. Thus, for example, to name the leading programs, Microsoft
AntiSpyware, Lavasoft's Ad-aware, Spyware Doctor, Mcafee, Panda, and Fortinet do not
detect it, and many others are also in the process of joining them."
Sunbelt is quick to point out:
While it is true that the listed programs may not detect Hotbar, many leading anti-spyware and
anti-malware programs (aside from Sunbelt's own CounterSpy) still do detect Hotbar, including:
· Webroot Spy Sweeper
· SpyBot S&D (optional)
· Sunbelt CounterSpy
· Intermute SpySubtract
· CA Pest Patrol
· Norton AntiVirus
· TrendMicro PC cillin
After that detailed review, Sunbelt found that Hotbar does meet its targeting criteria:
Distribution & Installation
* installs via automated installation processes (e.g., for ActiveX controls) initiated by or at
third-party web sites when the software is not functionally required to view the content of those
third-party sites and is not directly and specifically solicited by users
* is bundled with a functionally unrelated, separate host application actually sought by users (i.e.,
as an "adware" bundle) and installs without first providing sufficient notice and choice to users
and without securing their full, meaningful, and informed consent
* uses false, misleading, confusing, deceptive, or coercive text or graphics to induce, compel, or
cause users to install the software
Advertising
* displays third-party advertising in pop-ups and windows that the software opens on the users'
desktops and which are not part of internet content that users directly choose to visit or view
without first providing sufficient notice and choice to users and securing their full, meaningful,
and informed consent, or without offering users a means for permanently removing or opting out
of the advertising short of purchasing a "pro" version of the product and/or incurring a fee
* embeds third-party advertising banners or messages within itself or other programs or within
elements of the operating system itself without first providing sufficient notice and choice to
users and securing their full, meaningful, and informed consent, or without offering users a
means for permanently removing or opting out of the advertising short of purchasing a "pro"
version of the product and/or incurring a fee.
System Reconfiguration
* reconfigures the user's browser home page, search settings, or other user-selectable browser
preferences without first providing sufficient notice and choice to users and without securing
their full, meaningful, and informed consent
* configures advertising-related programs to start automatically with the operating system
without first providing sufficient notice and choice to users and without securing their full,
meaningful, and informed consent
* installs or uses an auto-updater or similar mechanism without providing a readily accessible
means for users to configure or disable that auto-update mechanism
Data Collection, Transmission, & Sharing
* collects and transmits data regarding user's internet connection, viewing, and communication
habits and behavior for the purposes of advertising and marketing without first providing
sufficient notice and choice to users and without securing their full, meaningful, and informed
consent
Uninstallation
* uses an uninstaller that badgers, coerces, or tricks the user into refusing or canceling the
uninstallation
* incorporates, uses, and/or deploys functionality to evade, thwart, undermine, or prevent
detection and/or removal by "anti-spyware" and "anti-malware" utilities
Notice, Disclosure, Choice, & Consent
* disregards, thwarts, blocks, or impedes users' choice to cancel or opt out of installation
* discloses key terms related to advertising, system reconfiguration, and data collection /
transmission practices only in an End User License Agreement (EULA) or Privacy Policy or in
locations and documents that users are not likely to read during the installation of the software
* discloses key license terms and software functionality in language that is not simple, plain,
straightforward, direct, unvarnished, and free of euphemisms
* uses false, misleading, confusing, deceptive, or coercive text or graphics to induce, compel, or
cause users to install the software
And here comes the "in no uncertain terms" portion:
Based on its thorough and systematic review, Sunbelt concludes that Hotbar’s software does,
in fact, meet Sunbelt’s criteria for potentially unwanted installations that the CounterSpy product
line can present to users for possible removal. Therefore, at this time, Sunbelt will not be changing
the status of Hotbar and its related programs.
Of course that isn't all, Sunbelt has just recently received another C&D letter from Abetterinternet (Direct Revenue). Sunbelt continues to fight the fight and does not back down, even after receiving cease and desists over and over again.
References:
- Our response to Hotbar blog by Sunbelt
- Scanned response to Hotbar
- Clean response to Hotbar
- iDownload C&D's
- Targetting Criteria
- Spyware Threats (C&Ds)
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