Zango?

[MrYum]

You've probably read the same threads I did at the zoo.

Zanga is indeed spyware/adware/malware. From what I gleaned...

It's an 'install' frequently packaged with something else a surfer might actually want...like porn movies. There are quite a number of really foolish webmasters peddling this crap...either not realizing what it does, or saying fuck it and taking the quick buck.

Upon installation, a db is downloaded to the users computer and linked to their browser. Every page that's loaded into the browser is scanned and crosschecked with that db. Keyterms that show up on the webpage are then linked to an zanga affiliate code. Surfer clicks and buys...zanga affiliate gets the sale. Now, if that's not bad enough...links being effectively loaded on your pages...it gets worse.

If a surfer clicks on one of your links and something in that link (like a paysite name) matches the db, a popunder is launched seconds after the click...thereby overwriting your affiliate code with the sponsor (since it's the second code received by the affiliate tracking system.) If the surfer buys, the zanga affiate gets the sale...not you.

There was a big stink on myspace about something they pulled recently...I don't know the details...other than a lot of computers were infected. From what I read, there are currently millions of computers infected with this crap. Kinda starts to make sense why sales have dropped off and continue to drop

[Maj. Stress]

Originally Posted by MrYum

Now, if that's not bad enough...links being effectively loaded on your pages...it gets worse.

If a surfer clicks on one of your links and something in that link (like a paysite name) matches the db, a popunder is launched seconds after the click...thereby overwriting your affiliate code with the sponsor (since it's the second code received by the affiliate tracking system.) If the surfer buys, the zanga affiate gets the sale...not you.

One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

[Licker4U]

Originally Posted by Maj. Stress

One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

Write a tutorial on that

[jayeff]

Originally Posted by Maj. Stress

One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

You might want to load a spare computer with some of this scumware and check whether you are as secure as you apparently believe. Much of this scumware is not triggered solely by the URL read upon the initial click: it monitors all requests and can therefore intercept post-redirect calls too.

There are dozens of scumware providers who collectively are making millions. They are not generating a single new sale, thus every cent is being stolen from sponsors who are not their clients and from affiliates (even when the diverted traffic ends up at the same destination as it was originally intended for, but does so with a different "affiliate" being credited with the sale).

Epithets like "the zoo" are not undeserved, but once in a while serious things turn up there too. This is one of those things. It's not a new issue, but because it has been ignored it is gathering momentum and scumware is definitely not something about which anyone can afford to be complacent.

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by jayeff

You might want to load a spare computer with some of this scumware and check whether you are as secure as you apparently believe. Much of this scumware is not triggered solely by the URL read upon the initial click: it monitors all requests and can therefore intercept post-redirect calls too.

There are dozens of scumware providers who collectively are making millions. They are not generating a single new sale, thus every cent is being stolen from sponsors who are not their clients and from affiliates (even when the diverted traffic ends up at the same destination as it was originally intended for, but does so with a different "affiliate" being credited with the sale).

Epithets like "the zoo" are not undeserved, but once in a while serious things turn up there too. This is one of those things. It's not a new issue, but because it has been ignored it is gathering momentum and scumware is definitely not something about which anyone can afford to be complacent.

Damn sorry to hear the php redirects won't stop it either

I agree completely Jay...the "zoo" comment is something I picked up from another member here and seemed appropriate. While I almost never post over there, I do monitor that board for exactly reasons like this situation. Once one filters through the silly stuff, there are sometimes important issues like this that arise.