Whenu is one of a number of companies offering "poaching," - the theft of traffic generated for a particular merchant by one of its affiliates - by popping up competing offers when potential buyers click the affiliate link that takes them to the merchant's site.

I ran across this brand of theft as I was researching both spam and security this summer.

I intended to write about it, but talked myself out of it because I didn't think there was any interest.

Programs like Kazaa (and others I'd have to look up) are freebies that add spyware that allows this to happen.

There is an affiliate forum which is diligently working to alert merchant subscribers to the problem. (Problem is, I've done a bunch of stuff to my computer, and can't find the link right off.)

Outfits like Commission Junction and others of that ilk need to take steps to protect their affiliate signups from companies that use spurious tactics like that.

Aw, Jeez! I haven't been on line for a while, and most of what I could tell you is buried deeply in my tired head. What I've written probably is incoherent . . .

If you use or recommend use of programs such as Kazaa, and Gator, you're promulgating the thievery. Such programs are used to implant spyware and thiefware on unsuspecting users which allows this kind of thing to go on.

In the meantime, to fight it, you must deal directly with the merchant who's competing ad shows up. They pay the thiefware people, and in the process, steal your hard-earned commissions.

If I get a chance, I'll dig up the notes I have on this.

Marye

BTW, Hi Everybody! I'll be back soon (I hope!). Meanwhile I miss reading SOW, though I'm saving my copies of ehotsheet.

> Hi everyone

> Has anyone heard of whenu.com?

> I went to one of my web sites today and I
> was confronted with a pop up ad!

> I had no knowledge of it and had not
> consented to it.

> I sent them a rather firm, but polite email
> demanding that they remove it immediately.
> It was removed pretty sharp!

> I went back to my web site 20 minutes later
> and it had gone!

> The ad was targeting my web site traffic
> offering similar products from comapnies who
> I assume has advertised with them.

> I visited another web site today and I was
> confronted yet again with the same compnay
> advert but of course targetting their
> customers with like products. I sent them an
> email informing them, as I am sure they too
> were unaware of the ad.

> I would also assume they must be targetting
> thousands of other web sites without the
> knowledge and consent of web site owners.

> How can they do this...they are stealing our
> web site traffic that we work hard to get!

> Just though you'd appreciate knowing about
> it.

> Regards,
> Susan.