What is AWS WeatherBug?
WeatherBug is an software program powered by AWS WeatherNet that provides weather updates (for American cities) from a small icon in the systray. WeatherBug gives you current weather conditions, your local weather report, and storm alerts, however the free version is ad-supported containing both banner and pop-up ads. It also installs a My Search toolbar.
Is WeatherBug Spyware?
According to their website, Weatherbug is not spyware, however it is adware. It does not monitor, collect data or 'spy' on its user base, however the program is considered adware since the free version is ad-supported. You can read more about why Weatherbug is not considered spyware by clicking here.
In fact, Weatherbug sent me the following email explaining their position on spyware and why WeatherBug is not considered spyware.
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"WeatherBug does not monitor, collect data or 'spy' on its user base. If a software program is implying or reporting that WeatherBug is 'spyware', it is incorrect.
WeatherBug is incapable of tracking your overall web use or deciphering anything on your hard drive. WeatherBug has no functionality to determine what you were doing/where you were surfing before you opened your WeatherBug program - or where you go after using the WeatherBug.
With computer privacy a vital issue for so many people, we want to assure you that WeatherBug, in addition to being spyware-free, is committed to helping our millions of users understand how to remove spyware from their computers, if they desire to do so.
Spyware, as defined by CNET, generally refers to any technology that gathers personal information about your computer's configuration, your surfing/shopping habits - including information like Web sites you've visited, your IP address, and your computer's host name.
WeatherBug does none of these things. In addition, we require any software that is offered with WeatherBug to also be spyware-free.
In addition, while we, like MSN and a host of other free software, are supported by advertisers, we do not do have any way of knowing who the individual users are when we track clicks on our own pages. The user is not required to put in their name when they register- we only need a zip code to find the closest weather station to their home. The only reason we need to track clicks on pages is to determine if our server capabilities are getting too low and need to add new servers, which I