On: How far the once-mighty SourceForge has fallen

[mortenjorck]

I consider this sort of software harmful, but there is definitely an important distinction between it and software that actively tries to steal your credit card numbers, run a botnet, or send spam email. We need a word specifically for software that makes an attempt to abide by the law and avoid any outright malice, yet exists in a sort of moral gray area.

I propose "grayware."

[jlgreco → mortenjorck]

"Malware" as I understand it is basically a catch-all term for software that is harmful (hence "mal").

Don't these toolbars usually report your browsing habits anyway though? If so they are spyware which clearly makes them malware.

[bashinator → mortenjorck]

How about "junkware" or "crapware"?

[jamornh → bashinator]

And I thought these were already the terms we use for this type of software...

[rcthompson → mortenjorck]

Barnacleware.