StopBadware Report
Click here to return to the reports page

AOL 9.0 VR

We find that AOL 9.0 VR is not badware, although it does engage in a behavior that users should be aware of.


We currently recommend that users who want to download AOL 9.0 VR be aware of the behaviors outlined in this report.

 
Yellow_large
OVERALL RATING

Yellow_smallBehavior to Be Aware Of 
Installs additional bundled applications (Potentially deceptive installation) 
Installed components run on startup (Potentially interferes with computer use) 
Automatically installs occasional software updates (Potentially deceptive installation) 

Disclosed Behavior to Be Aware of
Installs additional bundled applications
Installation of the AOL 9.0 VR results in installation of Viewpoint Media Player and Adobe Flash Player. Both these installation are disclosed to the user. This disclosure, made on a main install screen, also states that the installation of Viewpoint Media Player enables users to "display some content, including SuperBuddy Icons and desktop themes" and that Adobe Flash Player "enables the display of multimedia content for AOL and the Internet."
Installed components run on startup
AOL FastStart, a component of AOL 9.0 VR, runs certain components of the software when the user's PC starts in order to "help AOL load faster." This behavior is disclosed to the user during installation. The user is also notified during installation that they can "change this setting at KW [or Key Word]:Startup Setting."
Automatically installs occasional software updates
The AOL 9.0 VR automatically installs "occasional software updates" on the user's machine "to ensure the performance of AOL 9.0 VR." This behavior is disclosed to the user during the installation.

For more information, visit www.stopbadware.org.

 
REPORT INFORMATION

APPLICATION INFORMATION