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Anti Spyware Coalition

The anti-spyware industry offers a robust selection of tools to consumers in the marketplace. As is to be expected in such an environment, the rating systems used to classify Spyware and other Potentially Unwanted Technologies vary between Anti-Spyware vendors. The members of ASC believe that reputable anti-spyware companies should be transparent about their decisions to help users understand how anti-spyware tools make decisions; software publishers understand what may concern users; and Anti-Spyware vendors share information about emerging threats.

To facilitate that transparency, the ASC has developed a list of a broad set of behaviors that its members can use to help users make decisions. We expect the list to change over time as new bad practices are discovered.

Other Behaviors

Other Behaviors, including but not limited to: Has other potentially unwanted behavior, as described in definitions document Medium. Program modifies other applications to bypass copyright protections. Medium Program generates serial numbers/registration keys to allow illegal use of copyrighted products Medium

Removal, including but not limited to:

Self-healing behavior that defends against removal or changes to its components, or requiring manual steps to run the uninstaller High. Uninstaller does not functionally remove the program, such as leaving components running after reboot or silently reinstalling components High. Does not provide an easy, standard method to permanently stop, disable or uninstall the program (such as Add/Remove Programs or equivalent). High. Uninstaller repeatedly attempts to badger or coerce the user into cancelling the uninstall Low.

Non-Programmatic Behaviors, including but not limited to:

Contains or distributes offensive language and content (Reminder: Each Anti-Spyware vendor weighs a behavior according to their own policy. ASC recommends that vendors that utilize this criteria make it clear to users that they do so, affording users the opportunity to make an informed marketplace decision) Medium. Consists of advertising components and is installed at or through web sites designed for, targeted at, or heavily used by children 13 and under Medium. Uses misleading, confusing, deceptive, or coercive text or graphics text, graphics, advertising or other false claims to induce, compel, or cause users to install or run the software or take actions (such as click on an advertisement) Medium.

Source is antispywarecoalition.org.