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 of OpenCandy were considered adware by Microsoft Security Essentials as they "may send user-specific information ... without obtaining adequate user consent".^[4]. OpenCandy have claimed that this is because another company used OpenCandy without the formal warning in their EULA.^[5]

Applications known to use OpenCandy

• Any Video Converter
• CCleaner (the 'slim version' without Yahoo Toolbar can be found under "Builds page" section)
• CDBurnerXP (the 'minimal' installer under "More download options" is adfree)
• Cheat Engine
• CNET TechTracker
• Connectify
• CrystalDiskInfo (3.9.1-en Installer Edition verified -> use adfree Portable Edition instead)
• CutePDF
• Dexpot
• DVDStyler (1.8.4.2 verified)
• Driver Sweeper (2.9 verified)
• FL Studio
• Free Music Zilla 2.0.4 according to terms of use
• IZArc
• Kantaris
• MediaCoder
• MediaInfo
• MiPony
• MyPhoneExplorer
• Orbit Downloader
• PeaZip
• Power Plan Assistant for Windows® 7 (read the EULA)
• PrimoPDF
• PSP Video 9
• Veoh Web Player
• Sigli
• SPlayer
• SUPER
• Trillian
• Winamp
• WinSCP
• Super Mario Bros X (Level Editor)
• Xfire

External links

• [1] - WinSCP FAQ on avoiding OpenCandy
• [2] - CDBurnerXP page with link to OpenCandy-free download (select "More download options" to see)

References

1. ^ Needleman, Rafe (11 November 2008), OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?, CNET news, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10094314-2.html, retrieved 2009-08-18 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Marshall, Matt (10 November 2008), OpenCandy inserts recommendations when you install software, http://digital.venturebeat.com/2008/11/10/opencandy-recommends-software-when-youre-installing-stuff/, retrieved 2009-08-18 
3. ^ Needleman, Rafe (11 November 2008), OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?, CNET news, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10094314-2.html#comments, retrieved 2011-08-06 . Particularly see the user comments
4. ^ Win32/OpenCandy, Microsoft Corporation, Feb 16, 2011, http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Threat/Encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?name=Adware%3aWin32%2fOpenCandy&threatid=159633, retrieved 2011-02-23 
5. ^ "The Story Behind the OpenCandy and Microsoft Adware Debacle". http://www.opencandy.com/2011/03/04/the-story-behind-the-opencandy-and-microsoft-adware-debacle/. Retrieved 2011-06-02.