Hi Marye, Cornell,

Thanks for that...

Actually, after reading both posts, it suddenly occurred to me that I had recently installed software called TWEAKMASTER and during the install process I was alsed whether I wanted to also install another program, which was suppose to spy for hackers or something. Anyway, I didn't agree, but I just checked my add/remove programs and there it was, the software that caused the ad to appear on my web site called SaveNow!

I have now removed both so hopefully I won't get any more of this. I hope this helps other unsuspecting people to be careful what they install, espeially software that attemps to steal your own web site traffic!

I for one will certainly be very cautious about what I install from now on. I just hope that uninstalling it has eliminated it for good!

Regards,
Susan.

> 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.