Getting to the root of the adware problem

In an effort to cut off funding for questionable adware vendors, the Center for Democracy & Technology has published a list of companies that purchase advertising on adware networks.

Advertisers that purchase advertising through adware vendors, and thereby create an incentive for botnet operators to break into computers, include Altrec, Club Med Americas, eHarmoney, Greetingcards.com, Letstalk.com, NetZero, ProFlower, PeoplePC, PerfectMatch, True.com, uBid, and Waterfront Media.

Spyware researcher Ben Edelman posted images of the offending adversements on his website.

The list is a sample of advertisers that were found using adware from 180solutions. They were contacted by the CDT prior to the publication of the report, but except for eHarmoney didn't respond. The latter lacks a policy prohibiting the placement of its online ads through adware.

180solutions is one of the world's largest adware networks and in the past year has ventured out to rid itself of the adware reputation by suing distributors and making it easier to remove the software. The CDT however claims that those efforts are merely window dressing and earlier this year filed a complaint against the company with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The CDT said that it considers its report a final warning to advertisers, and said that it will lobby the FTC to start publicly naming companies that deal with adware makers if advertisers don't change their practices.

"Knowingly or not, these companies are fuelling the spread of unwanted programs that clog people's computers, threaten privacy and tarnish the internet experience for millions," said Ari Schwartz, director for the CDT.

He added that many advertisers might not know that they advertise through spyware because ad agencies tend to build chains of partners that pass on purchase orders.

Adware is software that is designed to serve advertisements to the user, often through pop-up ads and based on the sites that a user visits. The software typically also collects information on surfing habits.

The practice is controversial because it promotes deceptive practices to get the software installed. Adware distributors often cloud the true intentions of their applications that come bundled with free games or other free software. Botnet operators are also known to install adware on computers in their networks because the adware distributors offer money for each installation.

The CDT also applauded large online advertisers including Dell and Major League Baseball for creating policies that prohibit the placement of their ads on adware networks.