See you later, anti-Gators? (Gator forces sites NOT to call it spyware)

CNet News.com ^ | 10.22.03 | Paul Festa

[Bogey78O]

Plus on some websites when you click "no" it'll still install itself anyway.

[weegee]

Gator maintains that its software differs from spyware in that people are clearly notified before they download it

Bullpucky.

I went to some website and typed the wrong name and wound up at a squatter's search engine. That site infected me with Gator's software WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING OR PERMISSION.

Additionally, I removed the Gator software which would then re-assert itself whenever I launched my browser. Again, if I removed it they were reloading it WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.

I had a system crash recently and I think it was in part due to crap in my registry file. I like it how every little piece of software that I install by choice has a disclaimer that I have to click OK to absolving them of any responsibility due to software problems/instability caused by their software.

Spyware installs contain no such disclaimers because 99% of the time users who were alerted to such installs would refuse them outright.

Bottom feeding scum BUMP!

[weegee]

The problem with blocking "all" popups is that some are ads while some are weblinks (in java active websites); things like photos, webpolls, or even secure websales.

I've used the shareware version of Spybot Search and Destroy to "immunize" my computer and that seems to be working well. Many advertising popups still "launch" (the popup window appears) but the software has "permanantly" blocked known adservers. the popup window will display a "404" type error (problems loading the page). They don't get a webhit and you don't see the page. This allows the other popups to work when they are needed.

It also blocks a good number of banner ads on websites too.

[weegee]

Don't try to pretend they're like TV advertising, because when I'm watching programming that I choose, unrelated ads don't fill up my screen or otherwise impede performance of the TV set.

What's more, when a popup launches, it makes that the active window (so if you are typing an email or webpost you will suddenly find yourself staring at a new "top level" window). Consider it akin to driving your car with the radio on, eyes on the road and suddenly your hands are not on the steering wheel and you are staring at the radio to hear the advertisement (it grabs your attention without your consent). Maybe you can turn the radio dial, maybe you are locked out of that choice. Your hands and eyes are permitted to return to driving but your activity has been disrupted by the "popup" radio ad.

There are some people who believe that when digital television is the norm, there will be digital blocks to prevent you from changing the channel during an ad (just like some DVDs don't permit you to scan/skip copyright notices, corporate logos, and ads/trailers).

[trebb]

The problem with blocking "all" popups is that some are ads while some are weblinks (in java active websites); things like photos, webpolls, or even secure websales.

The popup stopper I use beeps when it blocks a popup so if I need to let one come up I can either hold the control key down when I hit a link or double-click the popup stopper icon in the system try to turn it off - another double-click turns it back on. It's cheap and it works good for me because I hate being bothered by all the popups and popunders - I guess it's a preference thing - I prefer effective and cheap...

[JoJo Gunn]

www.internetnews.com/IAR/article.php/3101611

Gator Becomes Claria
By Pamela Parker
October 30, 2003


Controversial ad-supported software player Gator Corporation has changed
its name to Claria Corporation, in what it says is a bid to reflect its
broadened offerings. The move might also help Gator distance itself from
controversy.

Redwood City, Calif.-based Gator has recently worked to cozy up to the
Internet advertising industry. It's been successful in attracting big name
advertisers to its GAIN Network, which serves ads based on the Web sites
people visit. But it's been most well-known for its legal battles,
including disputes with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and major
publishers, along with companies like UPS and hotel chain operator Six
Continents.

The company says the name change is aimed at broadening the scope of its
brand. It launched in 1998 with an e-wallet software called Gator, but it
has since expanded to comprise three business units. GAIN Publishing
publishes, distributes and provides ad support for free software. The GAIN
Network delivers behaviorally-targeted online advertisements to more than
38 million consumers who have downloaded the software. Feedback Research
provides online research and analytics using data from the individuals
with software installed.

"Moving forward, Claria will continue to leverage its leadership position
in behavioral marketing and provide advertisers with a platform to
effectively communicate one-to-one with their target audiences, delivering
impressive ROI for online marketing campaigns," said Jeff McFadden,
president and CEO of Claria Corporation.

[mhking]

The company says the name change is aimed at broadening the scope of its brand.

No, they're distancing themselves from the slime they've unleashed across the web. Just because they change their name doesn't mean that their stench won't stink.

[BSunday]

after some Freeper posted that it was a great site.

Probably in an anti-WOD thread LOL

[JoJo Gunn]

Will be, uh, er, "interesting" to see how their tactics will evolve nowadays. I will expect the worst, regardless of the perfume those skunks spray.

[Don W]

Is there any way you could get a list of the files and registry entries your young relative deleted and altered, then spot them herfe, or freepmail said list to me?

Gator has corrupted my IE so badly, and the registry, that I can't use IE at all, and Outlook won't even launch. I ended up downloading and installing Netscape 7.1 just to get back online, even after reloading ALL of win98SE and a pair of spyware removal tools.

ANYONE who knows how to get this crud out of my computer, PLEASE HELP!

[Don W]

spot them herfe

I was certain that I typed POST THEM HERE. Somehow, the spell-check managed to mangle it, or it missed two misspellings while questioning other words.

[Grampa Dave]

No I can't. That was over a year ago.

Gator would still pop for a few months every now and then. I removed it with the latest Norton Works. That finally did it.

Gator left one last touch which lingers, and I haven't been able to bypass it after that removal this past May.

It apparently set up some type of fire wall that prevents me from using MS's messenger to log on the regular MS site. So I have to go in a backdoor method. I spent a whole weekend wearing MSN brains trying to by pass this. They/I couldn't do it. So I come in the back door like a customer to MSN and then get logged on. Logging off, it leaves the connection still open, and I have use key strokes to close it. If I leave my computer in hibernation, for very long it starts searching for something, probably some long erased link to reawaken Gator. Then I can't log on at all. I have to shut the computer down. Wait about 1-2 minutes and reboot the computer.

I really feel that is the result of Gator.

Between Norton Works and MSN, I have viruses well covered and I never open a file from someone I don't know. MSN blocks several files per week, usually some photo attachment or spreadsheet attachment from someone I don't know. So I doubt that this is a virus.

[Grampa Dave]

No it was one of the threads about how great some of the free software was. Yeah sure.

[Don W]

Well, thanks anyway. Anyone else know how to get rid of this crud?

[Skooz]

You might want to ask the folks at WinXP News. I get their newsletter and every issue seems to have some fix of a problem that has befuddled me.

[Grampa Dave]

Post you question as a personal and separate thread.

We all need help with this intrusive invader.

AOL used to do this stuff and mark files all over a hard disk.

A friend who is a CFO for hire/rent had AOL stuff popping up after he discontinue it years ago. He had to have an expert take out a ton of cookies and tags that AOL had placed on personal and business files. Everytime he bought a new computer and transferred his files, this cr#p got transferred to his new hard disc.

On of MSN's consultants told me to beware of the free cds with MSN, AOL and other various internet providers that are offered at computer stores. He said the hidden cookies and other stuff on those CDs was unbelievable and stayed with customers forever, computer afte computer.

[Grampa Dave]

Excellent advise and something all of us should do at least once a month with the XP systems.