AOL 9.0 is 'bad software' !?

On August 28, Stopbadware.org , a nonprofit security organization headed by Harvard and Oxford universities, is supported by Google, Sun and Lenovo, announcing the AOL client as a badware.

This organization recommends that users not install it because it uses inaccurate information and may lead to a "dispute" with the computer.

Previously, Stopbadware.org was only interested in dangerous programs like Kazaa file sharing software, fake spyware scanners or screensavers filled with Trojans and keyloggers.

According to Stopbadware.org's warning, AOL 9.0 was accused of 8 reasons, including the fact that it automatically installed some programs like You've Got Pictures screensaver and ViewPoint Media Player without getting it Notify the user. The AOL toolbar is also installed in Internet Explorer secretly while the program cannot be completely deleted.

The organization concluded: ' We temporarily recommend that users do not install the AOL version we tested, unless they are comfortable with the risks we have mentioned .'

AOL spokesman, Andrew Weinstein, said: ' We plan to include the next version with a lot of things .' Mr. Weinstein denied information from StopBadware.org's: ' It is clear that we are not in the same category as the software they are still testing. We still protect customers from dangerous software with AOL's security tools .

According to Mr. Weinstein, the information given by StopBadware.org will be corrected during the upcoming AOL client upgrade and there may be patches for the current version 9.0. " We are considering whether to make patches right now ," Weinstein said.

Stopbadware.org's report on AOL 9.0 can be downloaded here

DONG QUANG