CNET's download.com has banned adware-supported programs on its site and has already eliminated nearly 600 of them, the company announced Thursday. CNET said the move was an expansion of a long-established policy against any software that could inhibit user control and privacy, MediaPost reports. Software publishers were notified earlier this month and given three weeks to remove adware from their products, said CNET. The announcement coincided with NY State Attorney General Spitzer's initiation of a suit against adware firm Intermix.

"We've chose to extend our policy at consumers' requests," said Scott Arpajian, senior vice-president of Download.com. He said the move is in large part symbolic: "It's clear that removing 600 programs - mostly screensavers, actually - from tens of thousands won't effect anyone's bottom line, but we're hoping that this will be seen as us taking a leadership role - a step in the right direction."

MediaPost also quotes Bill Day, CEO of WhenU, among the largest adware companies affected by the move: "It's unfortunate that there isn't more of an effort to differentiate between spyware and adware…. Users don't need something symbolic right now; they need more editorial involvement, which is ironic because CNET is involved here with their obvious editorial potential to clear these misunderstandings up."