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P2P giant Kazaa has been told to stop insisting its software is spyware-free by independent testers who claim it interferes with computer use, modifies other applications and never completely removes all components during the uninstall process. Sharman Networks, makers of Kazaa, ‘the world’s most downloaded software,’ believe it installs with ‘no spyware’ – because no personally identifiable data is sent by the program. But Internet experts, consulting with researcher group Stopbadware.org, found Kazaa’s installation included several bundled programs, considered ‘spyware’ under the definition of ‘software that subverts a PC’s operation for the benefit of a third party.’ Finding Kazaa guilty on all three counts of so-called ‘Badware behaviour,’ the researchers found that one of the eight bundled applications, The Best Offers Network, “cannot be closed at all by the typical user.” Instead, the researchers said the application must be closed by killing the process from within the Windows Task Manager - the only viable solution that the software makers fail to disclose. Likewise the report from the online group, which was recently founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford University, reveals no warning to users, during installation or otherwise, of three other side-effects slowing performance in Kazaa-installed PCs. The file-sharing program automatically adds two new hyperlinks to the Windows Desktop, installs programs that modify Internet Explorer, while changing the default 404 and DNS error pages in IE. Sharman Networks does however inform Kazaa users at pre-installation stage of two included applications, namely Anti-Virus and a host of links to websites, admitted as adware programs. Those downloading the current version, Kazaa 3.0, who wish to reject AV BullGuard, or the adware programs, have the option of proceeding with the installation or cancelling it. Responding to the study, Sharman Networks told the Associated Press agency that they dispute the research group’s findings. “We disagree with it,” spokeswoman Felicity Campbell said of the report. “We really don't have sinister desires to get into people's computers and stay there.” Out of three other applications tested, ScreenSaver.com’s ‘Waterfalls 3’ was found to bundle a Trojan-horse like program, though overall, Kazaa emerged with the highest ‘badware’ rating. Mar 24, 2006 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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