RadLight
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RadLight is a media player that allows a user to experience a large variety of multimedia, including content such as DivX, DVD video (requires third-party plugin) or AAC/MP4 audio. Proponents of the software claim it to be the 'only all-in-one multimedia solution on the market to deliver all of this without being a resource hog or being too complicated.'
Radlight gained a great deal of attention when it was discovered that the program silently removed certain anti-spyware programs, most notably Ad-aware, without the user's permission. The developer defended this action, citing that his program was supported by the spyware which programs like Ad-Aware removed, and that Ad-Aware was an 'illegal uninstaller'.
In contrast, the action of removing security software from a computer without the owner's consent is itself illegal in some jurisdictions, such as the U.S. state of Washington. Washington's 2005 Act Relating to Computer Spyware forbids conduct such as that perpetrated by Radlight. [1]
Free versions of Radlight remain bundled with a known spyware program known as Savenow, a known spyware program removed by programs like ad-aware. Radlight does not work with this removed.
A commercial version of Radlight is available for US $24.95.
