Spyware Removal Utility Sparks Privacy Debate - Page 2

aves itself behind," said Gibson.

Since a beta version was posted last week, OptOut has been downloaded more than 18,000 times. Its popularity may raise serious questions about the viability of the ad-supported software business model. But Ready says it's too soon to tell whether the furor over Radiate's technology will hurt its business.

"Software developers are entirely capable of taking a look at it and seeing what is going on. The long-term impacts are yet to be seen, but so far, it hasn't been a case where people are jumping ship," said Ready.

Gibson expects to update OptOut to detect and clean programs from Conducent and Comet Cursor, as well as any new adware programs that are released.