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Adware Spreads Through Myspace

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the so-doesn't-that-make-it-really-ourspace? dept.

Sandbagger writes "Here's an interesting problem for MySpace — groups of websites that entice MySpace users into placing videos onto their profile pages (under the guise of 'free content'), without disclosing a key piece of information that might make them think twice. When someone visits one of these profiles carrying the video, a DRM acquisition box pops up and attempts to install Zango adware. In all likelihood, the profile owners don't even know these videos are doing this to their visitors. The end result is an Adware affiliate effectively removing himself from the distribution chain and letting kids promote these videos instead, in a strange example of viral marketing gone wrong."

9 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Re:Is that a rhetorical question? by trickonion · · Score: 5, Funny

    this is too much like an AIDS outbreak in a sex offender prison I can't be sad for this

    --
    I got you an Andes mint, but it melted in my pocket
  3. As opposed to... by StikyPad · · Score: 5, Funny

    in a strange example of viral marketing gone wrong.

    Strange because things referred to as "viral" so rarely go wrong.

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    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  4. Think twice? by MoxFulder · · Score: 5, Funny
    ... entice MySpace users ... without disclosing a key piece of information that might make them think twice.
    These are MySpace users we're talking about. Good luck even getting 'em to think ONCE.
    --
    My bicyles
  5. Re:Is that a rhetorical question? by mcpkaaos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's shorten that up a bit:

    Marketing is like rape to sex.

    Or:

    Marketing is always wrong.

    Has a nice ring to it, that last one. :)

    --
    It goes from God, to Jerry, to me.
  6. With all the clutter on there already... by thePfhitz · · Score: 5, Funny

    With all the clutter on there already, how did anybody notice in the first place??

  7. Re:Is that a rhetorical question? by nacturation · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, common, evil... everybody's doing it!

    Here we can see a fine example of the tragedy of the commons.

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    Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  8. Re:Holy smokes by geminidomino · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, you really CAN do anything at Zombo.com!

  9. Re:America really is growing daft by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 4, Funny
    "People look at me like I'm a Nazi because I seriously don't think most Americans should be enfranchised. Let's face an ugly truth. Our founding fathers were right: most people are unfit to vote."

    The reason people look at you like you're a Nazi is because once you start with . . . .


    It could also be the the little toothbrush mustache and the swastika armband.
    --
    It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.