A consortium set up to combat malicious software is telling users not to use AOL's free internet client software, which it says exhibits "badware behavior."

A report by StopBadware.org says the free version of AOL 9.0 "interferes with computer use" and meddles with components such as Internet Explorer and Windows taskbar - as well as engages in "deceptive installation," with some components that won't uninstall, reports the CIO blog. But because AOL has taken steps to address StopBadware.org's concerns, AOL 9.0 has not yet been labeled "badware." AOL has apparently confirmed that there is a design flaw in its uninstaller software.

Backed by companies such as Google, Lenovo and Sun Microsystems, StopBadware.org operates out of Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the University of Oxford's Internet Institute.

AOL has opened up its services, offering the AOL 9.0 software for free in a bid to attract new users and boost online advertising.