AOL seems to be having a run of bad luck these past few months. After the hideous public relations gaffe in early August, when the search queries of over 650,000 AOL users were posted online, AOL officials have barely had time to lick their wounds before being called out by StopBadware.org for the questionable behavior of AOL 9.0. The free version of the program has been labeled as “badware” by the site, and has been placed on “Open Query” status.

StopBadware.org is an online “watchdog” that studies downloadable applications to determine the presence of what they term badware, which is defined as “malicious software that tracks your moves online and feeds that information back to shady marketing groups so that they can ambush you with targeted ads.” According to a recent report, the free version of AOL 9.0 is termed badware because, among other things, it installs software, updates, and adds elements to the taskbar without permission, all of which are characteristics commonly associated with spyware and other malware.

Among the features of AOL 9.0 (free version) that contribute to its badware classification are deceptive installation, software modification, interference with computer use, and making undisclosed changes. Specifically, according to StopBadware.org, AOL 9.0 also:

1. Installs additional software without disclosure
2. Forces users to take an action
3. Adds AOL toolbar in Internet Explorer
4. Adds additional icons to default Internet Explorer toolbar
5. Adds to the Favorites menu in Internet Explorer
6. Adds AOL Deskbar to the user's taskbar
7. Updates software automatically
8. Fails to uninstall software completely

On August 27, StopBadware.org posted an AOL response that states AOL is reviewing the StopBadware.org report in order to address the issues within. AOL admits to a design flaw being responsible for the uninstall problem. AOL is reportedly working to fix this problem.

In order to remove AOL 9.0 from “Open Inqiry” status, StopBadware.org recommend the company adjust AOL 9.0 to do the following:

1. During installation, inform the user of all software that will be installed and ask permission to install it.
2. Do not force users to take actions by presenting dialogue boxes that cannot be closed.
3. Inform the user during installation that the AOL toolbar, Favorites items, and default toolbar icons will be added to Internet Explorer.
4. Disclose during installation that AOL Deskbar will be added to the user's taskbar.
5. Inform users of and obtain their permission to install any software that will automatically update.
6. Do not leave AOL processes running after the program is uninstalled.

StopBadware.org is a non-profit group funded by Google, Lenovo Group, and Sun Microsystems, among others. To report badware, visit www.stopbadware.org/home/action.