Download.com Banishes Adware
Download.com, one of the largest and most trusted software download sites on the web, has a new zero-tolerance policy for software containing adware. As a long-time user of Download.com, I applaud these efforts to limit the spread of software that contains adware. However, they cannot guarantee that each software available on their site is 100% adware free.
They use three major anti-spyware programs, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Webroot SpySweeper and PC-Tools Spyware Doctor (see our Downloads page) which should catch most, but not all, adware.
I find it curious that Download.com specifies "adware" but not "spyware". One would think that they would also want to give the impression that they were also removing software that contains spyware. The general public often isn't certain about the difference between spyware and adware, whereas spyware is considered a greater threat.
Download.com does allow ad-supported software. This is software that displays ads from within its own interface of the program. This includes such software as Opera, AIM and Eudora.
This is a good move for Download.com, and other major download sites such as Tucows.com and Majorgeeks.com may follow. If this occurs, you can be sure that adware companies will step up their efforts to get ads on your computer. In the coming year we should see some interesting developments in this area.
They use three major anti-spyware programs, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Webroot SpySweeper and PC-Tools Spyware Doctor (see our Downloads page) which should catch most, but not all, adware.
I find it curious that Download.com specifies "adware" but not "spyware". One would think that they would also want to give the impression that they were also removing software that contains spyware. The general public often isn't certain about the difference between spyware and adware, whereas spyware is considered a greater threat.
Download.com does allow ad-supported software. This is software that displays ads from within its own interface of the program. This includes such software as Opera, AIM and Eudora.
This is a good move for Download.com, and other major download sites such as Tucows.com and Majorgeeks.com may follow. If this occurs, you can be sure that adware companies will step up their efforts to get ads on your computer. In the coming year we should see some interesting developments in this area.
posted by Peter at
12:18 AM
