Adware, Spyware, and Practices That Thwart User Control

CNET Download.com's goal is to provide a download experience that is trusted, safe, and secure. We will not list software with components, such as spyware and adware, that might interfere with a user's control and privacy.

Listed below are examples of some of the types of software programs we may prohibit at our sole discretion. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. We may modify these examples at any time without notice to you by posting revised terms on our sites.

We may consider prohibited software to be any software that:

• Installs or enables the installation of adware or spyware at any point during or after installation. This includes any and all product upgrades, as well as links from the product or publisher's website that may enable the installation of adware or spyware.
• Serves advertisements through a Web browser or anywhere outside the software's primary interface.
• Installs in a concealed manner or denies end users an opportunity to read the license agreement and/or to knowingly consent to the installation.
• Induces installation by making false or misleading claims about the software or the software publisher.
• Prevents its own uninstallation or disablement.
• Includes or uses a surreptitious information-collection feature.
• Collects and transmits information about an end user or the end user's use of a computer without adequate prior notification.
• Diverts or modifies an end user's default browser, search engine home page, provider, security, or privacy-protection settings.
• Is considered illegal or unlawful.
• Is determined by us to interfere with a user's control and privacy.

Every time a new file is submitted to CNET Download.com via the Upload.com site, it is scanned multiple times to ensure it complies with our adware and spyware policy. If one of the tools we use determines a spyware or adware component exists, we will decline the application for listing in our download library. To learn more about this process, please visit the Upload.com Knowledgebase.