Spyware Detail

Summary

There is no difference between the licensed version and the ad-supported version. After our purchase, we found that c:/windows/temp/trickler4010_bic_gatorws_4010.exe was running. This trickler was added to the registry, so that it would run at reboot.

Alias

Adware/Gator[Panda]

Vendor Description

from the web site: 'Displays your current local temperature in the system tray of your computer (near the clock) whenever you are online! Provides one-click access to 3-day and 7-day forecasts Works for almost any city in the world! Uses the same data that over 750 newspapers use everyday'

GAIN Publishing distributes a variety of popular software applications and owns and operates the GAIN Network, the world's largest in-context behavioral advertising network. The GAIN Network helps keep many popular software applications and web sites free. These software applications also occasionally display pop up ads on your computer screen based on your online behavior. Alternatively, ad-free versions of the software titles distributed by GAIN Publishing are available for purchase (conditions apply).' -- http://www.gainpublishing.com/index.html

Claria was founded in 1998 as The Gator Corporation to deliver the promise of one-to-one marketing on the Internet. The guiding vision was to develop a massive consumer audience by offering valuable web/software content for free in exchange for the right to show highly targeted advertising based on consumers' anonymous surfing behavior. Launched in June 1999, the Gator eWallet was the company's first free ad-supported software product, and it quickly grew to become the most popular product in its category.

By November 1999, Claria had revolutionized the online advertising industry by introducing its contextual and behavioral relevant online advertising model. This new advertising method resulted in unparalleled ROI for advertisers.

Claria headquarters are located in Redwood City, California, with U.S. offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Detroit, Austin, and International offices in the U.K and Asia. Claria is backed by top-tier venture capitalists such as Greylock, Technology Crossover Ventures, U.S. Venture Partners, Investor AB and Crosslink Capital. - http://www.claria.com/companyinfo/

See Also

Gator/GAIN/Claria

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.

Spyware:  Any product that employs a user's Internet connection in the background without their knowledge, and gathers/transmits info on the user or their behavior. Many spyware products will collect referrer info (information from your web browser which reveals what URL you linked from), your IP address (a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer), system information (such as time of visit, type of browser used, the operating system and platform, and CPU speed.) Spyware products sometimes wrap other commercial products, and are introduced to machines when those commercial products are installed. See also Adware.



Reasons For Retention

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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