Spyware Detail

Summary

The Gator Advertising Information Network (GAIN) is a network of advertisers who deliver ads thru the use of adware technology developed by The Gator Corporation. This network is intended to be "permission based"; in return for agreeing to receive free software from participating software developers, users of GAIN-supported products agree to receive periodic advertising. Should a user of a GAIN-supported application wish to stop receiving advertising, the GAIN-supported application should be uninstalled in accordance with the manufaturer's license. In the event any GAIN components remain after such an uninstall, PestPatrol can be used to "clean up" your computer. [From research in August 2003]

Alias

Adware/Gator[Panda]

Vendor Description

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/edelman/ads/gator/ Claria Corporation is a leader in online behavioral marketing, serving over 43 million consumers and more than 1000 Advertisers to date. Claria publishes advertising messages for top tier companies and agencies to consumers who are part of the GAIN Network, Claria's network of over 43 million consumers who agree to receive advertising based on their actual online behavior. Unlike traditional demographic targeting, Claria's behavioral marketing model combines powerful insights into consumer behavior and the ability to deliver contextually targeted messages. The relevancy of the messages drives click-through and conversion rates up to 40 times higher than traditional banner ads -- boosting campaign results to unprecedented levels. The difference is Claria's deep insights into consumer online behavior. Claria allows advertisers to target consumers based on their individual needs and interests resulting in industry leading ROI, not mass demographically targeted Web site populations. In addition to its advertising network, Claria provides marketing research and business insights through its Feedback Research division. Feedback Research delivers in-depth analytics of consumer Web usage patterns across the entire Internet using the industry's largest online panel of consumers. It also provides full service custom marketing research to Fortune 1000 clients. With exclusive access to the GAIN Network's 43 million consumers, Feedback Research surveys hard to reach consumers, based on their individual online behavior, quickly and cost-effectively. [From Research in March 2004]

Category

Adware:  Software that displays pop-up/pop-under advertisements when the primary user interface is not visible, or which do not appear to be associated with the product.



Reasons For Retention

Based on research from March 2005: Changes browser settings, for example the default search provider, home or error page(s) etc., without user permission at time of change. Silently connects to an unintended location to transmit personal information. Silently tracks input or personally identifiable information without user permission.

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