Gator Files for IPO to Raise $150 Million

michalas writes "Wired reports on the IPO filing of adware/spyware kings Claria who have recently changed their name from Gator. Claria on Thursday filed for an initial public offering to raise $150 million to continue developing its 'behavioral marketing platform.' Claria had a net income of $35 million on revenues of $90 million in 2003. In addition, Claria said it has 43 million active users and 425 advertisers."

Comments

Re:43 million active users

[LostCluster]

Gator's programs are not pure spyware because they at least provide some level of functionality. The first Gator offering was a personal-info remembering "wallet" that'd nicely fill in web forms similar to what the Google Toolbar's AutoFill feature offers.

Another one of their schemes offers to download a program that will automatically sync your system time, which is useful to most people who notice that consumer PCs are usually pathetic at keeping a system time. However, I personally use the adware-free Automachron which provides the same useful function.

So, they're really a bait-and-switch operation. They actively market utilities that people want, and are rather trivial to make.... and then tag-on their adware code for the ride. Better options for all of their offerings exist, but the public often doesn't know where to go.

Re:Claria's "users"

[harlows_monkeys]

I think 'infected computers' would be more likely.

You'd think that (and so would I), but we'd be wrong. There are a huge number of users who like that thing, and complain if anti-spyware sofware removes it (I know because I work at an anti-spyware company, and Gator is one of the ones we have to tread lightly with, because so many users actually want the damned thing).

List of afvertisers at Harvard

[Animaether]

Partial list of advertisers, courtesy of Harvard
News story on Harvard wrestling with the then Gator corp