Scumware.com launched due to escalating concerns over a popular software program

The heavily trafficked and highly popular Jimworld.com network of sites including gethightraffic.com & searchengineforums.com have responded to growing concerns over potential copyright infringement & web surfer privacy problems with the creation and launch of scumware.com.

Trabuco Canyon, CA. (PRWEB) August 22, 2001 -- Jimworld.com a highly popular web site announces the launch of scumware.com a comprehensive site which addresses growing concerns over copyright infringement and questionable practices of popular free software such as KaZaa Media Desktop, Surf+ and Gator.

KaZaa Media Desktop, Surf+ and Gator are free software programs that can be easily downloaded and installed on your home PC. KaZaa Media Desktop has been downloaded over 6.5 million times from the C/Net website alone and many more times from countless other websites.

However, unbeknownst to the user the KaZaa (Top Text), Surf+ and Gator programs routinely use unethical practices for advertising and tracking the surfing habits of their patrons (sometimes known as spyware). As an example, KaZaa with the Top Text plug in, has been found to unethically alter copyrighted site design with links to paying advertisers created by yellow highlighting and underlines, which may not be appropriate for the intended audience. Not only does this deprive the site owner of advertising revenues and potential sales, it has also been documented that some of these alterations may result in links to adult sites not suitable for young children who may be using a computer with the program installed. These alterations may also place links to products and services into recommended" lists insinuating that the website owner endorses that product. While using the program the software continuously monitors and records surfing habits to track and record.

Even worse, this program provides vague opt-out language in Kazaa's installation dialog and an inaccurate Top Text application description, causing average users to believe that Top Text is necessary for KaZaa to function. The program is also exceedingly difficult to remove and leaves Trojan-like components and files behind after an uninstall which would allow the Top Text parent company Ezula, Inc. to reinstall the program remotely without the users authority.

Responding to these concerns, the Jimworld.com network of sites has launched scumware.com to provide information and services to web surfers, website owners and advertisers about the potential problems associated with these programs. The site provides comprehensive coverage of information and discussions regarding the programs, links to advertisers who are using these unethical practices, free software to completely remove the program and extra" files from your pc, links to associated sites, recent press coverage concerning the programs and much more.

To visit the site and get all of the latest information: http://www.scumware.com

About Jimworld.com

Founded in 1994 by Jim Wilson, Jimworld.com is a comprehensive network of sites devoted to internet development and is proud to have developed a global community of over 300,000 webmasters. For more information, contact Jim Wilson by e-mail at jim@jimworld.com