| BAD OR UNDISCLOSED BEHAVIOR |
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Software installs deceptively (Guideline III.A)
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The performanceoptimizer.com website attempts to silently download and install an ActiveX 'pre-installer' control for Internet Explorer. This pre-installer prompts the user to 'Continue' installing PerformanceOptimizer, although the user may not have chosen to download the pre-installer in the first place.
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Software does not clearly identify itself. (Guideline III.B)
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The pop-up advertisements that PerformanceOptimizer displays on the user's computer are disguised as system alerts displayed by Microsoft Internet Explorer, and do not identify PerformanceOptimizer in any way as their source.
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Software does not fully, accurately, clearly, and conspicuously disclose the principal and significant features and functionality of the application prior to installation (Guideline II.A.a.iii)
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The PerformanceOptimizer installer does not inform users that it will display frequent pop-up advertisements for additional software, both automatically and as a result of using PerformanceOptimizer's 'Update' feature. Some of the additional software promoted by PerformanceOptimizer has previously been reported as badware (WinAntiVirus).
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Software that interferes with the user's normal computer usage. (Guideline III.F)
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PerformanceOptimizer reports exaggerated computer health threats in order to induce the user to purchase a registered version of the software which, it claims, will repair these problems. Some of these deceptive threats are delivered by frequent and sometimes difficult-to-dismiss pop-ups which interfere with the user's computer experience.
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| Recommendations |
| We recommend that SellMoSoft makes the following changes: |
- Stop distributing the PerformanceOptimizer 'Pre-installer' by silent, automatic download from the PerformanceOptimizer website.
- Inform users before they install the software that the application will repeatedly prompt the user to purchase a registered version of the software, and that it will display frequent pop-up alerts instructing the user to download additional software.
- Stop reporting exaggerated system vulnerabilities to users, to induce them to install or purchase the product or other products.
- Conspicuously attribute all of the software's behaviors, including pop-up alerts, to PerformanceOptimizer.
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We currently recommend that users do not install PerformanceOptimizer, unless the user is comfortable with the behaviors we have identified or until the application is updated to be consistent with the recommendations in this alert.
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This alert represents StopBadware's findings during our initial testing period. Additional badware behaviors that were not initially detected may exist in the application.
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