Gator is currently coming under a lot of scrutiny because
of its unethical advertising practices whereby they literally
switch authorized and paid advertising on web sites and replace
them with ads of their clients.
We are all familiar with the concept of paid advertising
on TV & Radio which is sponsored by companies who pay
to have their products advertised television or radio shows.
On the internet we use rotation banners and pop-up advertising
which are paid for or sponsored in much the same way as TV
commercials. We work with banner exchange programs, sometimes
we use sponsored adverting of other businesses which we have
developed relationships with or who pay us for the ad space
many of us even develop our own rotaion ads for our promotional
specials.
To fully understand what Gator is doing I will use the following
analogy -- imagine that Ford has paid for a one minute spot during
half time of the superbowl. They (Ford) paid money for the time
slot directly to NBC but unknown to NBC or Ford, Gator switched
the ad and replaced it with one for Chrysler right at air time
and never paid NBC or Ford a dime! That is exactly the "slight
of hand" advertising pratice which Gator is perpetrating
on the internet! Here is an interesting article which explains
this concept in more depth: Is
gatoring unfair or illegal?
To generate it's information for it's targeted ads Gator
markets and distributes a free software that also utilizes
adware/spyware components to gather information about web
surfers surfing habits and then uses the information to generate
highly targeted advertisements to it's users and also allows
them the ability to switch ads on the internet.
Gator is distributed in a number of free and low cost software
programs and it can also be installed on a computer by visiting
a web site which has it's activeX installer.
Gator has provided advertisements to some major corporations
including: 1-800 Flowers, Allstate Insurance, Apple Store, Avon,
CapitalOne Mastercard, Chrysler, Columbia House, Disneyland Resort,
Dollar Rental Car, Expedia, First Premier Bank, FTD.com, Hooked
on Phonics, ING Direct, LoJack, Movielink, Orbitz, Palm, Priceline,
Radisson, Rail Europe, Sun Microsystems, Thrifty Rental Cars,
Time-Life, Travelocity, uBid, University of Phoenix, Verizon DSL,
Western Union Bidpay
An additional and alarming facet of this combined practice
is that Gator has the ability to gather detailed personal
information about its users which it can also sell to 3rd
parties. This software can be found as free downloads on hundreds
of free download sites including Cnet and Tucows and is being
distributed to unsuspecting consumers who know nothing about
the true nature of what Gator is doing. Gator can also installed
merely by visiting many websites that have chosen to be paid
by Gator to include the installer links in their pages.
When Gator came under fire from the Internet Advertising Bureau
and Online Publishers Association for these unethical pratices
Gator responded by a filing a law suit against the IAB to prevent
them from restricting their (Gator's) Advertising practices. The
state of all this is still undetermined, in the mean while Gator
continues to switch advertising on the internet with the assistance
of it's "shopping compainion" and continues to manage
unsuspecting consumers personal information. For more information
on Gator's spyware capablilities please see our article Is Gator Spyware?
Now in an effort to disassociate itself from the "spyware"
label which has been hung around i'ts neck the company has changed
it's name to Claria Corporation.
We hope that our viewers will not be fooled by this more innocent
sounding name because once a Gator - always a Gator - even if
it now wants to go by the name Claria! After reading about this
name change I could envision a cute cartoon character of a Gator
with big round eyes, long eye lashes and a cute little bonnet
who still has great big teeth to bit you with! (like the Big Bad
Wolf pretending to be Little Red Riding Hood's Sweet old Grandma
- which is not to far off from their current logo) We will try
to keep our views updated as to any new developments related to
this name change, but to our knowledge they are still installing
the same things on users computers.
Gator has broadened the reach of their notorious advertisements
and is currently partnered with several major search engines (i.e.
Overture, Terra Lycos and FindWhat) to deliver pop-under ads on
other search sites through the use of their Search Scout toolbar.
SearchScout is owned and operated through Gator's new corporate
identity of Claria Corporation. Users who install the new SearchScout
toolbar will be displayed pop-under advertisements via Gator's
GAIN network which will be triggered by search terms and particular
site content. Unfortunately many persons downloading the software
don't realize they are agreeing to receive ads in exchange for
its use.
Gator Investigative Report
We have found and interesting in depth report by a Harvard University
researcher which investigates how Gator's advertising system works
and shows how Gator Pop-Up ads get triggered as well as information
on how particular web sites get targeted. The report is written
by Ben Edelman who has also testified as an expert witness against
Gator in at least one legal challenge to its service. This is
a must read for anyone who is interested understanding how Gator
works.
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/edelman/ads/gator/
Unfortunate Legal Decision:
A recent court decision is a serious set back for the rights
of web site owners and consumers alike. The court decision allows
software marketing companies like Gator & WhenU to fall back
little read "terms of use" agreements to win legal battles
regarding their unethical marketing practices. The decision, which
regards WhenU advertising practices, could influence lawsuits
involving other "adware," companies like Gator, which,
like WhenU.com, develops Internet "helper" applications
(adware) that often come bundled with popular free software products.
Although the current court decision is connected to BHO applications
that come bundled with popular free software
distributed by Galt Technologies and WhenU/SaveNow it does not
bode well for web site owners who wish to protect their property
rights.
WhenU and other online marketing giants like Gator claim that
their marketing practices are legal because consumers "agree"
to receive advertisments and associated software in exchange for
other software products and sign user licensing agreements.
Unfortunately what the court did not understand is that
many of these adware programs use ActiveX controls to download
thier software onto consumers computers and although many ActiveX
installations will often provide an alert that a download is about
to take place there is little explaination about what is being
installed and many novice computer users will often choose "yes"
thinking that the browser is merely installing a plugin that is
needed to display content on the web site. Furthermore, many ActiveX
installations can also take place quietly in the background with
out a users knowledge if they do not have their security settings
set high enough to display an alert message.
It is a shame that
the court was not made aware of these facts and that there are
reports that variants of WhenU/SaveNow has utilized ActiveX installs
to perform drive-by-download installations from pop-ups (often
coupled with 'ClockSync' or 'WeatherCast') to infect computers
without the users knowledge and although Gator claims that
it's software is not spyware and states that they notify users
of it's capablilities before their software is downloaded it to
has reportedly been
installed on to consumers computers while they were visiting web
sites that have chosen to be paid by Gator to include ActiveX
installers in their web pages that allow a Gator trickler file
to quietly download in the background without the users knowledge.
This legal ruling has deep implications to web site owners and
needs to be challenged since many of these ad serving programs
are in fact installed on users computers with out their full knowledge,
concent or understanding of what they do.
http://netscape.com.com/2100-1104-5072663.html.
Special
TopText & Surf+ UpDate 11/02/04
We have discovered that there are Contextual Advertising
Links which look very similar to TopText & Surf+ links
which are legitimate and sponsored by participating web
sites for more information
click here! |
| **
Spyware & Adware Test Scan **
If you are viewing this site with Internet
Explorer and see an alert displayed here then it is an indication
that your computer is infected with one or more spyware
programs that we can scan for. If you do not see any alert
displayed in the center of this notice then our scan did
not detect any of the 122 spyware programs we can scan for,
however, there are still many other programs out there that
we can not yet scan for.
Please note: Currently
we can scan for a 122 distinct spyware programs that can
effect PC users and the alert will only be display if a
specific targeted program is identified. Unfortunately,
we are limited to finding only certain types of spyware
and there are many other forms of spyware and adware that
we can not currently test for.
In addition, our test scan does not
work well with NetScape or other browsers, if you suspect
that you might have spyware on your computer please feel
free to check this page while using Internet Explorer.
Also, if you have a Personal FireWall installed it may
interfere with our ability to scan your computer for Parasite
Adware and Spyware. |
An alternative program for gator is Roboform: www.roboform.com They do not bombard you
with popup ads and their website gives instructions on how
to convert your Gator passwords into RoboForm. All personal
data that you enter into AI RoboForm Identities and PassCards
is stored locally on your computer. RoboForm does NOT cause
your personal data to leave your computer. RoboForm does NOT
monitor or send information about sites that you visit or
any information about your browsing. RoboForm is NOT a spyware.
Written by Debbie St.Clair
UnwantedLinks.com
Reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Alert your viewers about spyware
with our spyware detection script!
Help us raise awareness of the problems of spyware by alerting
your website visitors if they have spyware installed on
their computers. If we can alert consumers to this problem
it will benefit all of us as a whole. Only through awareness
will it be possible to eventually stop these unethical marketing
practices. If you would like to help us simply add the following
remote script to your web site which will alert your viewers
and visitors if they have spyware installed on their computers.
<script language="JavaScript"
src="http://www.unwantedlinks.com/parasite/parasite3.js">
</script>
This script can be placed anywhere in the body of your
site and remains totally invisible unless it detects at
least one of several browser based spyware plug-ins (including
TopText). Therefore, the spyware alert will only be viewable
to those viewers who have at least one of the identified
spyware programs installed at which point it will display
an simple text alert letting them know about it. Our script
can currently identify 124 different spyware programs. (
For more information
and to see a sample click here!)
Or feel free to use a copy of our spyware quotes script
to help raise awareness which appears in our left panel
<script language="JavaScript"
src="http://www.unwantedlinks.com/spywarequotes-feed.js"
type="text/JavaScript"></script>
This script will feed one quote at the exact location it
is placed within your site. It rotates a total of 30 random
spyware quotes. (This script will display additional random
quotes if it is included more than once) You can enclose
it in font tags to match your site text.
Here is a sample of how it looks.
|
(Update: Newsbytes.com has been taken over by the Washington
Post Company. The links to articles that were in the Newsbytes
archives are no longer active. Many of the articles are still
available on line through other news sources. Please feel
free to search google for additional links to articles originally
appearing on Newsbytes.
Consumers
These new programs effect you since they use spyware to do
their dirty work -- please check out our Consumer
Info section for more information on spyware and how to
protect your privacy! (Additional note: GoZilla, Limewire,
Bearshare, and Audiogalaxy also include spyware & theftware
programs such as Gator, TopText, Cydoor and SaveNow! For more
information see our
Help & Reference Guide)
Additional Gator Information:
See you later, anti-Gators?
By Paul Festa
CNET News.com
October 22, 2003, 12:21 PM PT
Gator has launched a legal offensive to divorce its name from
the hated term "spyware"--and so far its strategy is
paying off. In addition to changing it's name Gator is now starting
to file lawsuits against some of it's critics that have labeled
them as spyware.
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5095051.html
Gator sheds skin, renames itself
Last modified: October 29, 2003, 9:17 PM PST
By Stefanie Olsen
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Gator, the controversial advertising software and e-wallet company,
has changed its name to better reflect its business in behavioral
marketing.
The Redwood City, Calif.-based company plans to provide more details
Thursday of its decision to adopt a name that better reflects
its other businesses. The name change to Claria, however, is already
reflected on Gator’s Web site.
http://news.com.com/2100-1024_3-5099212.html
Harvard study wrestles with Gator
Last modified: May 22, 2003, 4:00 AM PDT
By Declan McCullagh
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
A Harvard University researcher has completed an investigation
of the Gator advertising utility, offering a glimpse into the
workings of one of the Web's most controversial pop-up networks...
The report "provides some data as to how much advertising
Gator is showing and to whom it is targeted," said author
Ben Edelman, who has testified as an expert witness against Gator
in at least one legal challenge to its service. "For Web
site operators, and to be sure, their legal staff, it's important
to know whether Gator is targeting them or not, and if so, how
much."
http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-1008954.html
Search engines get 'Gatored'
Last modified: January 14, 2003, 11:54 AM PST
By Stefanie Olsen
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
The Gator online advertising network is testing a new paid search
product that lets rivals poach on each other's territory in one
of the Net's hottest new marketing venues.
Search Scout, launched in December, triggers a pop-under window
when Gator members search on a site such as Google and Yahoo.
The window lists search results tied to keywords purchased through
competing search services.
A small "info" tag on the results says they originate
from "top search engines." During the test phase, Gator
is using results from paid search kingpin Overture Services, Terra
Lycos and FindWhat.com.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-980572.html
Suit Over Gator's Pop-Up Ads Settled
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2003
(AP)
(CBS) The nation's largest news publishers have settled a
dispute over an Internet advertising practice in which unauthorized,
third-party ads pop up on nytimes.com and other news sites.
Terence Ross, the lead attorney for the publishers, on Friday
declined to release terms of the settlement reached this week.
The parent companies of The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall
Street Journal and The Washington Post and the digital arms of
Knight Ridder and Conde Nast were among news outlets that sued
Gator Corp. in June over its pop-up ads.
Gator, which claims 30 million active users and 500 advertisers,
has contended its pop-up windows are no different than what happens
when a user runs instant messaging, e-mail or other programs in
separate windows while surfing a Web site.
Gator still faces lawsuits from United Parcel Service, which said
unauthorized pop-ups have included ads for rival FedEx Corp.,
and from Six Continents Hotels, which operates Holiday Inn and
Crowne Plaza and complains that Gator directed visitors to deals
from Marriott and other competitors.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/08/tech/main539931.shtml
Gator Branded A Trojan Horse Despite Security Fix
By Brian McWilliams, Newsbytes
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.,
07 Mar 2002, 3:42 PM CST
Gator Corp. has corrected a security flaw in the Web-based installer
program for its popular digital wallet software, but some anti-virus
utilities still brand the program a Trojan horse.
Responding to a report in February that the ActiveX installer
opened a potential back door for attackers, Gator temporarily
removed the program, GatorSetup.exe, from its sites and posted
a security update that eliminates the vulnerability for users
who have installed the program using the ActiveX control.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/
Gator
see ya later.
Despite supposedly resolving security issues with its digital
wallet software, Gator corporation still finds its application
being branded a "Trojan" by Symantec. Ironic, considering
Symantec is one of the companies that have invested in Gator corporation.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/15862
Gator Digital Wallet Allows Hacker Back Doors
Feb 22, 2002
Gator, a digital wallet program installed on millions of computers,
contains a security flaw that could enable malicious sites to
take control of a user's computer. An ActiveX plug-in installed
with the Gator program can be hijacked by attackers and used to
place back-door software or other "malware" on the victim's
computer. Gator is installed with many popular file sharing programs
such as AudioGalaxy.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174709.html
Gator
Ad War Update
Gator and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) declare a truce
to the legal battles over Gators Pop-Up Ads. "Gator has agreed
to stop selling the Companion Pop-up Banner vehicle in its current
form," he said. "We will put this product on hold as
we talk with IAB members to co-develop a new version that is more
publisher friendly, designed to create a revenue stream for them
by monetizing unused banner inventory."
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/172528.html
Gator.com Lawsuit Escalates
Online Ad Controversy
ecommercetimes.com.. When consumers download Gator's free software,
they are shown an informational screen that clearly describes
that they are getting our software at no charge ...
www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/13188.html - 10k - Cached -
Similar pages
Guerrilla Ad Banner Battle Looms
.. To others, Gator's software program is more akin to heisting
a magazine and putting
new ads on the back cover before the publication is delivered
to readers. ...
IBA report on Gator unethical advertising
http://www.iab.net/news/content/08_28_01.html
Silicon Alley News: IAB Blasts Gator
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article
The Attack of Ad-Replacing Software
From Entrepreneur.com: Gator software may be taking a bite
out of Web sites'revenue by employing guerrilla marketing
tactics. eMarketer analyst Jonathan ...
Is Your Money Being Stolen?
New Advertising Software May Be Taking Your Revenue
This an article about Gater
http://html.about.com/library/
The Word Spy - gator
.. that a person is visiting. When a particular company's
site comes into view, the
Gator software pops up a banner ad for a rival company.
www.logophilia.com/WordSpy/gator.html
Shooting Back At Gator's 'Ambush Ads'
(washingtonpost.com)
.. Moreover, when I installed Gator's software, I discovered
more than a dozen advertisers
using Gator to run ambush ads at rival sites. When I visited
the site ...
Gator wrestling:
How much advertising can you ...
From ZDNet.. Why? Because the Gator software allows the company
to watch what you are doing in your browser and send advertisements
based on your behavior. Here's the catch ...
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