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OpenCandy

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OpenCandy is a company based in San Diego which produces a Web 2.0 advertising software module. It is a Microsoft Windows library which can be incorporated in a Windows installer. When a user installs an application which has the OpenCandy library, they are presented with the option to install additional software that it recommends (based on a scan of the user's system and geolocation).[1]

The software was originally developed for the DivX installation, by CEO Darrius Thompson. For example, 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]

The recommendations are based on the choice of the developer, but also dynamically scan the users machine, and can take into account factors such as the operating system and the user’s geographical location.[2]

Chester Ng, the former DivX business development director, is chief business officer. and Mark Chweh, former DivX engineering director, is the Chief technology officer.[2]

It has attracted some criticism due to 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

  • [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, retrieved 18 August 2009
  2. ^ a b c Marshall, Matt (10 November 2008), OpenCandy inserts recommendations when you install software, retrieved 18 August 2009
  3. ^ Needleman, Rafe (11 November 2008), OpenCandy brings ad market to software installs. What?, CNET news, retrieved 23 December 2010. Particularly see the user comments
  4. ^ The Story Behind the OpenCandy and Microsoft Adware Debacle, Darrius Thompson, CEO OpenCandy, 4 March 2011, retrieved 7 March 2011
  5. ^ Win32/OpenCandy, Microsoft Corporation, 16 February 2011, retrieved 23 February 2011

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