Symantec has settled a lawsuit with Hotbar.com over the security firm's right to label the Hotbar application as low risk adware and remove it from users' systems. 

Under the terms of the settlement, Hotbar acknowledges that Symantec's security software will detect the application, brand it as 'low risk' and assist users in removing it.

Symantec filed the lawsuit in June 2005 in response to a 'cease-and-desist' letter sent by the adware maker.

"Through our risk evaluation process we classify various adware programs in three categories: low risk, medium risk and high risk," David Cole, a director with Symantec Security Response, said in a statement.

"Low risk is something we generally recommend that users can ignore. Medium risk is something we quarantine, and high risk is something we automatically remove.

"Hotbar's programs operate in the low risk category and we leave it up to the customer to decide whether or not to remove the programs."

The Hotbar application adds a graphical skin to Internet Explorer and Outlook and adds a toolbar and search button.

The applications come embedded with keyword-targeted advertisements, and collect information on the user's browsing habits.

The Hotbar service offers access to emoticons, animations and e-cards. The company mentions on its front page that users will be presented with pop-up ads and offers instructions on how to disable them.

Its privacy policy stresses that it does not collect personally identifiable information, but also acknowledges that it collects and stores information about search queries and web pages that users visit.

Computer Associates' Spyware Information Center also lists the application as adware, and indicates that it has potential security issues because it is configured to update automatically. 

Hotbar officials did not respond to a request for further information.