In the war against spyware, are legitimate advertising firms getting caught in the crossfire?
Microsoft has received no small amount of flack for their decision to downgrade Claria (aka Gator/GAIN) detection in the Windows AntiSpyware beta. Though Claria software is still detected, the recommended action is now set to 'Ignore'. Previous versions of Windows AntiSpyware had recommended Claria software be removed.
Critics allege that Claria uses deceptive 'two-click' installs. The first occurs when the user clicks the banner ad for the Claria/GAIN software; the second when clicking YES to a dialog that asks whether you want to install and run the "ad-supported downloads that display (i) exact time/date, and (ii) GAIN-branded pop-ups and other ads based on websites you view".
It's difficult to imagine how this particular dialog might be made more clear to its critics. After all, it does state that it will deliver ads and pop-ups and it does state that these ads will be based on websites you visit. And obviously, in order to deliver ads based on websites you visit, there is some form of tracking involved.
The degree of threat
To deal with the varying degrees of adware and spyware, Windows AntiSpyware provides users the option to choose whether to "Always Ignore," "Ignore," "Quarantine," or "Remove" a given program. The default option signifies the level of threat Microsoft has assigned the program. If the program exhibits deceptive behavior, it is assigned a Remove or Quarantine recommendation. Programs that do not exhibit deceptive behavior may be assigned either an Ignore or Always Ignore recommendation. The recommended action can be easily changed by the user, i.e. an Ignore recommendation can be changed to Remove and Windows AntiSpyware will then remove the designated application.
At least one report alleges that Claria violates this policy in their bundle with the shareware game Dope Wars. According to benedelman.org, the Dope Wars game installs Claria software but does not provide a separate uninstaller under Add/Remove programs. We tested this complaint and found that the Dope Wars uninstaller, listed in Add/Remove programs, also uninstalled the Claria adware. This would be in keeping with the shareware license terms which clearly states that Beermat Software (makers of Dope Wars) can "provide you this version of Dope Wars for free because it is supported by advertising delivered via the Gator Advertising and Information Network (GAIN)." The program also warns that ads may be displayed. The user must then click Next and accept the licensing agreement before installation takes place. In short, no GAIN, no game.
Anyone who has installed the free Dope Wars and wishes to rid themselves of the adware component can simply follow the licensing terms and uninstall the game.
Adware vs. badware
While many of us, myself included, decline to install advertising-supported software, some choose the ads in order to enjoy the freebies. For example, Dope Wars is a real game that many describe as so fun it's addicting. Bonzai Buddy, the grape ape that chatters incessantly, doesn't just try to entice users into buying the Bonzai Buddy software. It also greets, jokes, and delivers tidbits of information on a variety of topics. And the WhenU SaveNow desktop toolbar might be a real bonanza for online traders who want to ferret out the best bargains on various sundries.
On the flip side of the coin, there are adware programs that seem engineered simply to serve ads. Their licensing agreements may not be as clear and the software they use to promote their use provides little, if any, value to the consumer.
And the problem with designating good vs. bad isn't confined to adware. Given the loose way in which the term spyware is used, even the ad-free Google Toolbar could be classified as 'spyware' because in order to deliver a Page Rank it tracks which site is being visited. Fortunately, the Google Toolbar doesn't appear in the anti-spyware scanner lists, but many of these same scanners do rank cookies and shortcuts as high-risk spyware. This improper classification leads the user to believe they are severely infected even when they are not. Properly defining adware and spyware is crucial yet the scanners too often misuse the label for, ironically, their own marketing purposes.
The fact is, advertising helps fund many of the programs, websites, and services we use on a regular basis. Many advertising companies, and their adware programs, do spell out their intent and do provide uninstallers. Conversely, there are many bad apples that don't follow suit. It is important that in our quest for a safer, more sane online experience, we don't cry wolf when we encounter adware but that we do cry foul when we encounter badware. And is it really so bad to have a scanner that can help us tell the difference?
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