An anti-spyware researcher says Symantec Corp.'s out of court settlement with Internet toolbar maker Hotbar last week is a loss for Web users. Last June, Symantec filed a suit against New York-based
Hotbar, seeking a legal ruling that would classify Hotbar as an adware provider and a potential computer security risk. Under an out of court agreement struck with Hotbar, Symantec agreed to dismiss
the lawsuit, but maintained that the settlement was a victory. The anti-virus company will continue to detect Hotbar's products as adware, but is changing the recommendation it gives consumers,
calling Hotbar "low-risk" and recommending that users ignore the software and let it be. Previously, Symantec users would get a recommendation that would remove the software by default. Not
surprisingly, Hotbar also views the settlement as a victory. Spyware researcher Ben Edelman says consumers are the only ones who lose out with the companies' decision, suggesting that consumers don't
receive adequate disclosure from Hotbar before downloading its application, and don't fully understand they would get pop-up, pop-under, and auto-opening ads when they consented to its installation.
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