StopBadware Report
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Uniscope Toolbars
(MySpace Guardian Toolbar, Amber Alert Toolbar, BizForm Bar)

We find that the Uniscope Toolbars are badware because they fail to inform users that the software will function as adware by inserting sponsored websites into search engine webpages when users search for particular keywords, and because the software fails to identify itself as the source of these advertisements.

We currently recommend that users do not install the MySpace Guardian, Amber Alert, or BizForm toolbars, unless users are comfortable with the behaviors we have identified or until the applications are updated to be consistent with the recommendations made in this alert.

 
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OVERALL RATING

BAD OR UNDISCLOSED BEHAVIOR
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)
The Uniscope Toolbar installers do not inform users that the software will function as adware by inserting sponsored websites into search engine results when users search for particular keywords.
Software does not clearly identify itself. (Guideline III.B)
The sponsored website frames that the Uniscope Toolbars insert into search engine results are not identified as advertisements placed by the toolbar, perhaps leading users to believe that the sponsored content is provided by the search engines themselves.
Recommendations
We recommend that RPM Performance Media makes the following changes:
  • Clearly and conspicuously inform users before they install the software that the application will insert sponsored websites into the results pages of various search engines when the user searches for particular keywords.

  • Conspicuously attribute all of the software's behaviors, including the sponsored websites that the software inserts into search engine results, to the Uniscope Toolbar brand that is installed on the user's computer.
We currently recommend that users do not install the MySpace Guardian, Amber Alert, or BizForm toolbars, unless users are comfortable with the behaviors we have identified or until the applications are updated to be consistent with the recommendations in this alert.
This alert represents StopBadware's findings during our initial testing period. Additional badware behaviors that were not initially detected may exist in the application.

For more information, visit www.stopbadware.org.

 
ALERT INFORMATION

APPLICATION INFORMATION