• by Shankar Gupta , January 17, 2006

Software company SiteAdvisor last week released on its blog a list of "The Web's Worst Download Disasters," which included programs packaged with software from adware leaders WhenU and 180solutions.

The start-up SiteAdvisor, which tested more than 140,000 programs, published a list of the five worst-scoring downloads for adware/spyware--EntertainmentWallPaper.com, Ratloaf.com, WarezClient.com, Adroz.com, and MyFavoriteGames.com. All of those programs offered downloads laden with spyware and adware that serve users pop-up ads based on Web-surfing history--but they didn't all disclose the existence of those programs in extremely lengthy end-user license agreements. Two of the programs were bundled with 180solutions, while one--Ratloaf.com--was bundled with WhenU.

"A million Web sites and 140,000 download tests later, I can say with confidence that there are some great programs to be downloaded out there," wrote SiteAdvisor's Shane Keats. "I can say with equal confidence that there's also plenty of train wrecks waiting to happen to your PC."

Among the adware bundled into the "download disasters" were software items from WhenU and 180solutions, both of which have made efforts to rehabilitate the reputation of adware in general, and their own companies in particular.

Sean Sundwall, director of corporate communications at 180solutions, said that all of the programs 180solutions' products were bundled with informed consumers about the ad-serving programs they were downloading. "Those all look like perfectly great disclosure. I don't know what people are complaining about--other than we deliver pop-ups," he said. "We're not for everybody. We don't need to be for everybody. But we have 20 million customers who like what we do."

Sundwall also noted that 180solutions' Search Assistant, which was bundled with one of the so-called "nuisance" downloads, is no longer supported by the company, and affiliates no longer receive money for placing them on users' computers. "There's no longer an incentive to distribute our software in an illegal or illicit manner," he said. "Just like there's no financial incentive for someone to write a virus. But they do. Theoretically, we'll always--as will any adware company--be vulnerable to that kind of thing."

Bill Day, CEO of WhenU, said that for the "nuisance" download WhenU's software was packaged on--a screensaver titled "Dog Days," hosted by RatLoaf.com--disclosure was clear. Also, he said, although it's not the case with this program, WhenU typically has exclusive bundling deals, where it is the only piece of adware included with a program. Additionally, the WhenU component is easily removed. "Bottom line: If any dog lover decides they don't want WhenU, they can easily uninstall--it's easier and faster to uninstall WhenU than it is to install Dog Days in the first place," Day said. "Consumers can use Windows Add/Remove, or call WhenU's toll-free number for live help."