OpenCandy
OpenCandy is a company based in San Diego that produces an advertising software module consisting of a Microsoft Windows library that can be incorporated in a Windows installer. When a user installs an application that has the OpenCandy library, there is an option to install additional software that it recommends (based on a scan of the user's system and geolocation).[1][2]
The software was originally developed for the DivX installation, by CEO Darrius Thompson. When installing DivX, the user was prompted to optionally install the Yahoo! Toolbar. Divx received $15.7 million during the first nine months of 2008 from Yahoo and other software developers, after 250 million downloads.[2]
Chester Ng, the former DivX business development director, is chief business officer and Mark Chweh, former DivX engineering director, is chief technology officer.[2]
OpenCandy has attracted criticism because of privacy concerns.[3] Past versions[4] of OpenCandy were considered adware by Microsoft Security Essentials[5] as they 'may send user-specific information...without obtaining adequate user consent'.
Applications known to use OpenCandy
- CDBurnerXP
- Cheat Engine
- CutePDF
- Driver Sweeper (2.9 verified)
- FL Studio
- Free Music Zilla 2.0.4 according to terms of use
- IZArc
- MediaCoder
- MediaInfo
- MiPony
- Orbit Downloader
- PrimoPDF
- SPlayer
- SUPER
- WinSCP
External links
- [1] - WinSCP FAQ on avoiding OpenCandy
- [2] - CDBurnerXP page with link to OpenCandy-free download (select "More download options" to see)
References
- ^ Needleman, Rafe (11 November 2008), OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?, CNET news, retrieved 18 August 2009
- ^ a b c Marshall, Matt (10 November 2008), OpenCandy inserts recommendations when you install software, retrieved 18 August 2009
- ^ Needleman, Rafe (11 November 2008), OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?, CNET news, retrieved 23 December 2010. Particularly see the user comments
- ^ The Story Behind the OpenCandy and Microsoft Adware Debacle, Darrius Thompson, CEO OpenCandy, 4 March 2011, retrieved 7 March 2011
- ^ Win32/OpenCandy, Microsoft Corporation, 16 February 2011, retrieved 23 February 2011