GAIN and other ad programs

[Lone Wolf]

I am absolutely sick of these ad programs, especially GAIN (Gator Advertising and Information Network). If you've never heard of it, let these news articles explain what it REALLY is:

http://www.unwantedlinks.com/gatored.htm
http://www.thestandard.com/article/0,1902,28833,00.html
http://www.cexx.org/gator.htm

To fully understand what Gator is doing I will use the following analogy -- imagine that Ford has paid for a one minute spot during half time of the superbowl. They (Ford) paid money for the time slot directly to NBC but unknown to NBC or Ford, Gator switched the ad and replaced it with one for Chrysler right at air time and never paid NBC or Ford a dime!

To generate it's information for it's targeted ads Gator markets and distributes a free software that also utilizes adware/spyware components to gather information about web surfers surfing habits and then uses the information to generate highly targeted advertisements to it's users and also allows them the ability to switch ads on the internet.

An additional and alarming facet of this combined practice is that Gator has the ability to gather detailed personal information about its users which it can also sell to 3rd parties. This software can be found as free downloads on hundreds of free download sites including Cnet and Tucows and is being distributed to unsuspecting consumers who know nothing about the true nature of what Gator is doing. Gator can also installed merely by visiting many websites that have chosen to be paid by Gator to include the installer links in their pages.

[Lone Wolf]

That's right, people. All you have to do is visit the right website and Gator will automatically upload itself into your computer without your knowledge or consent. It's basically a virus.

I can't find the website that had the right way to get rid of GAIN, but trust me, it was a complicated task.

EVERYONE, DOWNLOAD THIS: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

This program is called Ad-Aware and I must say that this has got to be one of the greatest inventions for the computer. It will scan your whole computer for any kind of spyware programs and then will allow you to delete them.

[EarthCurrent]

Well, I have my JAVA turned off, and as far as I've seen, GAIN uses Active X allowing you can decline its certificates when it tries to upload itself.

I just wish there was a way to permanently decline certificates.

[chaoticstormbringer]

get lavasoft's adaware. gain is a spy program
ad-aware is free

[chaoticstormbringer]

theres also a popup stopper too.

[OtakuOutpost]

Well, I have my JAVA turned off, and as far as I've seen, GAIN uses Active X allowing you can decline its certificates when it tries to upload itself.

I just wish there was a way to permanently decline certificates.

Yeah, but how long do you think it will be before they pay microsoft to make it a trusted website by default?

The only reason it prompts you is if your security settings prompt for active X. If the site lists as trusted, it will be free to install whatever it wants to in the background.

--Tony

[FurryCurry]

Spybot Search & Destroy is another great cleanup utility. I like it slightly better than adaware.

[EarthCurrent]

Well, I have my JAVA turned off, and as far as I've seen, GAIN uses Active X allowing you can decline its certificates when it tries to upload itself.

I just wish there was a way to permanently decline certificates.

Yeah, but how long do you think it will be before they pay microsoft to make it a trusted website by default?

The only reason it prompts you is if your security settings prompt for active X. If the site lists as trusted, it will be free to install whatever it wants to in the background.

--Tony

I have all my Active X permissions set to Decline or Prompt.

[Dugan]

http://www.aluminumstudios.com/spyware/index.html also has information on this topic.