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Vendor Request for Re-Evaluation

ParetoLogic detects and offers to remove certain software programs that users may not know they have, or may not want on their PCs. ParetoLogic assesses programs based on the programs' direct and indirect effects, as well as their installation practices and user feedback.

If you are the vendor/developer of an item that is being identified by our software and you believe your software does not meet our Software Detection Criteria, please read ParetoLogic's Software Review Policies and Procedures for important information. After reviewing this document, you may complete the form below at which time we will acknowledge receipt of your request and provide you with an approximate timeline for completion of our investigation. Please note that this form needs to be filled out in its entirety as incomplete forms will not be reviewed.

The results of our assessment may be published by ParetoLogic.





















A. Installation, Notice, and Consent:

1.   Is the software currently bundled with any other application? If Yes, provide details of the names of the software it is bundled with, the URLs and details of the bundling arrangement (previous version names and URLs apply):


2.   Has the software been bundled with any other application in the past? (ie. Installing through a bundle where users request one program but receive one or more others that are functionally unrelated.) If Yes, provide details of the names of the software it was bundled with, the URLs and details of the bundling arrangement (previous version names and URLs apply):


3.   Does the software ask for permission to be installed or otherwise notify the use of its installation in a clear and conspicuous manner? If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software install while the user is performing unrelated tasks? (ie, Installing via ActiveX popups as users browse unrelated web sites.) If Yes, provide details:


5.   Does the software install without providing a statement of source? (ie. Company name and URL) If Yes, provide details:


6.   Is it clear what the purpose of the software is? Are the effects of the software described? If No, provide details:


7.   Does the software employ advertising tactics that are aggressive by industry standards to get the user to install? Provide details:


8.   Does the software use a pay-per-installation affiliate network? If Yes, provide details:


9.   Is the EULA presented in a clear and conspicuous manner? Provide details:


10. Is the EULA clear, concise, and has user friendly content? If No, provide details:


B. License Provisions:

1.   Does the software claim the right to install other software on a user's computer, other than at the user's specific request? If Yes, provide details:


2.   Does the software claim the rights to disable, block or remove other software, including competing products or security software? If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software claim the right to use the system in ways that benefit the provider but not the user? (ie. Claiming the right to use a user's computer for distributed computing or distributed storage.) If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software provide easily accessible and recognized methods for uninstallation and removal? (ie. Windows Control Panel and "Add/Remove" Module) If No, provide details:


5.   Does the software have the ability to do updates or installations without notifying the user via a prompt - referred to as a silent update? (ie. It states in the EULA that users may receive automatic software updates.) Provide details:


C. System Configuration:


1.   Does the software change the user's home, search, or error pages or any other browser preferences other than as requested by the user? If Yes, provide details:


2.   Does the software block the user from changing their home, search, or error pages or any other browser preferences? If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software add a toolbar without explicit user permission? If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software modify the user's internet settings to block access to certain hosts or sites other than as requested by the user? If Yes, provide details:


5.   Does the software route the user's internet traffic through a particular intermediary, other than at a user's specific request? If Yes, provide details:


6.   Does the software cause the user's system to dial premium or international phone numbers? If Yes, provide details:


7.   Does the software disable, reconfigure, or bypass privacy or security programs? If Yes, provide details:


8.   Does the software disable, block or remove other software on a user's computer, including "competing" software? If Yes, provide details:


9.   Does the software hide key operating system features? (ie. Hiding the icons for Control Panel or for System Restore.) If Yes, provide details:


D. Data Transmission and Privacy:

1.   Does the software collect or use personally identifiable information from users or their computers, except where reasonably necessary to achieve a program's core purpose and where users specifically provide this information to the program? If Yes, provide details:


2.   Does the software collect information related to internet connectivity or usage other than to diagnose technical difficulties or at a users specific request? If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software collect or use information from or provided by a user in a manner that a reasonable user would find objectionable, unfair, or deceptive? If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software collect encrypted information or break decryption? If Yes, provide details:


E. Computer Performance, Reliability, and User Experience:

1.   Please estimate the system resources required by the software on the users computer:


2.   Does the software use significant bandwidth in order to function efficiently? If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software cause a significant reduction in system performance or reduce system reliability? (ie. Cause the system to crash or freeze.) If Yes, provide details:


4.   Are there any software incompatibilities with this application or does it adversely affect other software? If Yes, provide details:


F. Malware:

1.   Does the software install malware, worms, Trojan horses, or other code that can propagate to other PCs without notice or consent? If Yes, provide details:



2.   Does the software allow third parties to remotely control a user's PC. (ie. "backdoors" and "rootkits.") If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software allow third parties to send email or send email on its own using a users PC? (ie. "spam bots.") If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software alter data or programs files unrelated to it on the system? (ie. Insert DLL's in unrelated processes or programs.) If Yes, provide details:


5.   Does the software delete user data or program files? If Yes, provide details:


G. Advertising:

1.   Does the software display advertising likely to interrupt or annoy the user. (ie. Displaying pop-up advertising or opening new browser windows.) If Yes, provide details:


2.   Does this application display advertising without attribution and removal instructions? (ie. Displaying advertising without clear and conspicuous listing of the program providing such advertising. ie. Displaying advertising without a button or link by which users can learn more about the advertising, including how to stop such ads from appearing. ie. Shows one web site when a user requests another.) If Yes, provide details:


3.   Can advertising be easily controlled? Can you easily close or remove advertising without opening further ads? Are normal controls provided, such as an X button? Is advertising full screen? Does this application cause a website to appear that is different from the one requested by the user? If Yes, provide details:


4.   For bundled software, are ads displayed even when not using the host program? If Yes, provide details:


5.   Does the software add third-party advertisements to a user's desktop, start menu, favorites, or other operating system listings? (ie. Adding icons for web sites (other than the software maker's own web site) to a user's desktop.) If Yes, provide details:


6.   Does the software modify, obscure, or block content of requested web sites other than at the user's request? If Yes, provide details:


H. Removal:

1.   Does the software offer an uninstall program? If Yes, provide details:


2.   Does the software provide an uninstall program which can be reasonably located? (ie. Failure to place an uninstall program in the ordinary listing used for this purpose (Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs). Ie. Failure to label a Control Panel Add/Remove entry with the ordinary name by which a program is known.) If Yes, provide details:


3.   Does the software require the users to install a separate uninstall utility? If Yes, provide details:


4.   Does the software require an internet connection to uninstall? If Yes, provide details:


5.   Does the uninstall procedure deter or delay removal? (ie. Requiring that users click through multiple uninstallation screens before uninstallation occurs, requiring that users type a special code to uninstall, or requiring that users complete a survey to uninstall.) If Yes, provide details:


6.   Does the uninstall procedure unreasonably discourage removal? (ie. Making false, misleading, or overstated claims as to the consequences of removing a program.) If Yes, provide details:


7.   Does the uninstall procedure remove all traces of the program? If No, provide details:


8.   Does the software reinstall itself after the user has uninstalled? If Yes, provide details:


9.   Is manual removal unreasonably and unnecessarily difficult? (ie. Using randomized filenames. For example, using "buddy" threads to prevent termination through Task Manager.) If Yes, provide details:


10. Does the software store program files in directories or file names that hinder identification? (ie. Methods include file names that falsely suggest relation to valid files or other software, random filenames, burying in large directory trees, inserting into system directories without valid reasoning.) If Yes, provide details:


11.   If installed as bundled software, is the software uninstalled with the host program? If Yes, provide details:


12.   Does the software fail to show any user interface at all? If Yes, provide details:


I. The Role of Consent

1.   Are key provisions expressly brought to the user's attention in a summary and not just presented in a license agreement? If Yes, provide details:


2.   Are key provisions disclosed in plain language rather than with euphemisms? If Yes, provide details:


3.   Are prominent provisions at odds with less prominent provisions? Do they mislead, deceive, or omit material or are vague in nature? If Yes, provide details:


4.   Is the information formatted to draw attention to key areas and draw attention away from other areas? (ie. the use of section headings, bold type, and other formatting.) If Yes, provide details:


5.   Are graphics provided to explain the effects of consent? (ie. by showing a picture of a resulting advertisement or by showing a new toolbar as it might look once installed.) If No, provide details:


6.   Is consent limited to features necessary for the operation of the software? Does the substance of the notice match industry norms for program operations? If Yes, provide details:


7.   Is a user asked to accept additional terms not displayed, but merely purportedly incorporated by reference? If Yes, provide details:


8.   Does the consent include a bona fide exchange of value. (ie. A user receiving something substantial in exchange for providing consent.) If Yes, provide details:


9.   Does the consent include terms that would be considered unfair by a reasonable person. (ie. Whether the purported consent includes terms that are so biased or one-sided as to call into question whether a reasonable, informed user would have consented to such terms.) If Yes, provide details:



10. Is a user informed of the applicable terms at a reasonable time, versus only learning of such terms midway through the process of downloading and installing software. If Yes, provide details:


11.   Does the installation procedure provide an opportunity for saving, printing, and/or searching a license agreement? If No, provide details:


12.   Are any special technical skills required to understand the installation procedure and how to save, print or search the license agreement? If Yes, provide details:


I certify that all information on this form is complete and accurate.

Vendor signature:
Name:
Title:
Date: