New Plague of the AD PUSH!

[happierr]

I got an email from a client who wanted to know why I had adverts on my site.

First thought, pop-up spyware thing.

But no, I have found the new plague of the internet. It is called midADdle (www.midaddle.com).

Once "infected" every page call the user makes forst goes to thier server, and if they want, they redirect you to an ad, it says something to the effect of "Your page will load in a few moments" this gets around popup blockers, and VERY much makes it look like YOU placed it there.

Wanted to warn you, feel free to write this company, and tell them your thoughts, they have a form on thier site.

(PS, This was the best forum I could think of)

[Chicken]

How does one get infected? Any known programs or downloads that also contain this "helpful" program?

[happierr]

Chicken, I am not sure, My Work PC has gotton it 3 times, I do nothing diffrent from day to day. I suspect they are attaching something like Gator used a few years ago.

Gator used a product called Trickler32 to slowly DL it's exe and auto installed Gator for you, in case you wanted it.

Not sure, but I am warning you all, they are hijaking users, and it very much looks like YOU are delivering the ads.

[happierr]

Found this on adrants

"Internet Marketing company AdSypre has announced the beta launch of its MidADdle keyword targeted ad system. The system, similar to Claria and WhenU, works once a user has downloaded and opted into the system. The system tracks online behavior matching user keywords in user-entered URLs, web page forms, search forms and click-through destinations which are then mapped against advertiser keywords generating targeted ad delivery. The ad appears as a between-page unit and is presented to the user upon identification by system as they progress from one page to the next. The user can choose to click on the ad, view it for ten seconds or skip it. If the ad is clicked, the user is delivered to the advertiser's site.

MidADdle joins a growing list of companies pushing privacy barriers but maximizing advertiser return by matching advertiser messages with user behavior. MidADdle taps a database of five million users who have downloaded game/utility software and opted into the system. While MidADdle may achieve effective behavioral/demographic database targeting without pop ups, it may still face privacy challenges both from users and from sites who may view the between-page style ad delivery similar to legally-challenged pop ups.

UPDATE I: Steer very clear of this software. See the comment section for the hovoc it has caused for many people.

UPDATE II: An apparent solution from Comments: 'i finly got rid of this thing all you have to do is use add/remove programs to uninstall it but the trick is to make sure you eather are disconected from the internet or are running a strict firewall because when uninstalling the program it seems to try to contact the sight to reinstall itself'"

Source URL: http://www.adrants.com/2004/06/adspyre-launches-midaddle-ad-system.php

[Chicken]

Originally posted by happierr:

MidADdle taps a database of five million users who have downloaded game/utility software and opted into the system.

<snip>

UPDATE II: An apparent solution from Comments: 'i finly got rid of this thing all you have to do is use add/remove programs to uninstall it but the trick is to make sure you eather are disconected from the internet or are running a strict firewall because when uninstalling the program it seems to try to contact the sight to reinstall itself'"
It wouldbe helpful to know exactly which game/utility software contains the virus (and that's what I see it as). These programs are ridiculous, and the only way they have five million users is by coupling these disease programs with popular software and tricking people into using it. Should be treated like any other virus and MS should offer a reward to catch the people who run the site and put them in jail IMHO, heh.

[silverfreak]

Haven't run into it yet, but thanks for the heads up. :)