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I'm finding it hard to trust Truste. The nonprofit Internet privacy organization, primarily known for its program designed to let surfers know whether Web sites live up to their privacy promises, recently began putting its rubber stamp on downloads, certifying that the software programs as safe and in compliance with the group's privacy standards. But some of the companies offering programs that Truste has approved have been criticized in the past for distributing adware, spyware, and attempting to make changes to system settings on PCs.

The program, which is currently in an early testing phase, is called Trusted Download Program. So far, Truste has certified eight computer programs from six companies as safe to download and install for Web surfers concerned about their privacy. The inaugural companies included Camshare, Coupons, Crawler, NeoEdge, Tacit Software, Vomba Network, and WhenU.

Three of these firms--Coupons, Crawler, and WhenU--have been scrutinized by anti-adware and antispware advocates and security firms like McAfee for distributing adware and spyware, and trying to change PC system settings.

For me, allowing software from any one of these three companies--weighing their past histories and the scrutiny they're currently under--feels a little like saying that just because John Mark Karr was cleared of charges related to the death of JonBenet Ramsey, I shouldn't mind him babysitting my kids.

Truste is careful to point out that it's not endorsing the companies with this new Trusted Download Program. Truste is relying on a company called AppLabs Technologies to test specific software programs that the companies submit for review. The Truste endorsement of a software program is not an endorsement or "white listing" of the company as a whole, says Carolyn Hodge, Truste marketing director.

Hodge says that the program is just getting on its feet and is subject to fine-tuning. Currently, the way it works is that any company can submit a software program and pay a one-time fee of $4000 to have Truste review the program. Truste looks for disclosure information, how easy the app is to install and uninstall, and whether the program does what it says it does. Some of the software that Truste has approved is adware; Truste just makes sure that the company is up front about that fact. If it passes, Truste white-lists the application. For a complete list of the requirements, you can visit the Truste Web site.