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Spyware and Adware - Is all Advertising-Supported Software Spyware and Malicious?

SUMMARY: Are all freeware programs supported by advertisements spying on your every move?

While many spyware applications also display ads to help fund the person or organization developing the spyware, there are a few legitimate applications that display ads but should not be considered spyware. A company may produce a freeware application and earn money by displaying ads in the software, but if the following is true, the software should not be considered as spyware, only adware:

1. A clear and easy-to-read statement exists in the EULA or 'Readme' and is shown to the user before installing the software, telling them that the software will display ads.

2. A privacy policy is provided and shown to the user before installation. This should be shown in the software and/or a link should be provided to an online privacy policy.

3. Advertiser-supported software must clearly state to the user what information is to be tracked, how it is tracked, and what is done with the tracked information.

4. Explicit permission from the user should be given in order for the software to record any user activity.

5. The user must be offered a chance to cancel installation of the software before any advertisement portions are installed.

An example of advertiser-supported software is the Opera web browser - http://www.opera.com/. Their privacy policy regarding advertisements in the software is available at http://www.opera.com/privacy/.

Note that spyware and adware scanners may mark legitimate advertisement-supported software as adware or spyware. If you 'clean' the system of the advertisement portion of the software, it may no longer function.