Online Casino

[Anonymous]

From my mailbox:

*** New Misleading Installation Series ***

In my February mailing, I mentioned in passing that I could fill a
newsletter with the various misleading installation strategies I’ve
continued to observe. I may get a chance to do just that! This past month,
I’ve posted a series of dubious installations — my new “misleading
installation of the week” series. The recent highlights:

* 180solutions @ Ezone.com — At this cartoon games site, 180solutions
software is billed as a way of “remov[ing] advertising” without mention of
180 showing extra ads of its own. Instead, 180’s pop-up ads are described
in euphemisms like “show … sponsor websites.” 180 does not show, link to,
or even reference any license agreement in the course of installation.

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/installations/ezone-180

* Claria @ Ezone — Claria’s “fake user interface” ads look like official
Windows dialog boxes, though actually they’re just attempts to get users to
install Claria’s advertising software. Claria’s ads say Claria’s software
will keep computer clocks accurate — even though Windows XP computers
already include identical functionality. Claria does show a license
agreement, but only *after* its software becomes installed.

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/installations/ezone-claria

* PacerD — In an ActiveX popup syndicated through a publicly-traded
advertising network, PacerD claims to offer a “browser enhancement.” But
the actual effect of the “enhancement” is to clog computers with more than a
dozen different advertising programs. Pressing Yes once adds thousands of
registry keys and 700+ files.

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/installations/pacerd

My index of this work, along with other misleading installations already on
file:

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/installations

*** Threats to spyware detectors and critics ***

The spyware industry seems to perceive itself as under attack, for there
have been an increasing number of threats, demands, and “requests” sent from
spyware companies to those who detect, remove, or just write about their
products and practices. The defining case in this vein was Claria’s
September 2003 federal lawsuit against PC Pitstop, claiming unfair business
practices and trade libel when PC Pitstop told users what Claria does and
how to remove it from their PCs. But the threats are now rolling in, at a
rate of 4-6 per month.

Index of publicly-known threats and their results:

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/threats

*** The P2P-spyware connection ***

My misleading installations series shows that there are lots of ways to get
infected with spyware. But downloading a P2P app is a particularly risky
choice, particularly likely to yield installation of unwanted and
unrequested software. I recently compared some major P2P apps, paying
special attention to the bundled software they include:

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/p2p

*** Advertisers supporting spyware ***

I’ve written repeatedly about advertisers supporting spyware — who
advertises with Claria, and so forth. Last month I posted similar research
as to eXact Advertising, makers of advertising software I’ve often seen
installed with poor disclosures or even none at all (i.e. installation
through security holes). But some surprisingly prestigious companies pay
eXact to promote their products — including Apple, Chase, Cingular, Circuit
City, Dell, Expedia, Netflix, and Vonage.

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/exact-advertisers/

In the coming months, I expect to post more research on which advertisers
continue to support which advertising software networks, and which
third-party web sites they target and cover.

As always, I look forward to your comments, suggestions, and requests.

Ben Edelman
http://www.benedelman.org

[Anonymous]

Gambling outfits using thiefware:

Betfair
Mrbookmaker
Bethedealer
covers
stanleybets
3topcasinos.com
Roxypalace
Intercasino
Interbingo
Jackpotjoy.com
Aztechriches.com
Ladiesbingo.com
Cassava
888.com
Pacificpoker.com
Diamonddealcasino.com
Ritz Poker
Twinacescasino.com
Partypoker.com
europacasino.com
casinodelrio.com
casinopays
vegasfrontier.com
bingoangels.com
interlottery.com
cyberslotz.co.uk
vipcasino.com
royalvegas.com
luckynugget.com
vegaslucky.com
vipsports.com
betwwts.com
sportsbookmario.com
rapidquotemario.com
LasVegasusacasino.com

All analysis is based on data collected in during the first week of March 2005.

[Anonymous]

Who’s targeting whom?

Very interesting info!

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/exact-advertisers/ads-gambling.html

Note how they just list a fraction of the targeted places – but also note which ones target affiliates. If your site is well known and lower in the alphabet, you are targeted too!

I recognize a number of affiliate sites. They are being targeted by the very programs they promote.

Shame, shame!

[Anonymous]

And have a look at this:

http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/whenu-advertisers/ads-gambling.html

Bingo Palace
BingoWorkz
C.O.N
Colloseum
CyberBingo
Jetset Poker
Ladies Bingo
mummys Gold
Poker Room.com
Pacific Poker
Party Poker
Piggs Peak
SBG Global
Platinum Play
30topcasinos.com
Wild Jack
WWVegas
Acepays.com
Bingocafe
Bingohall
Bing Funhouse
Gaming Club
Golden Palace
Jackpot City
Lucky Nugget
Riverbelle
Bet365
casinoprophet.com
Diamond Deal
Lasvegasusa
PokerWorld
Betfair
Game Account Mahjong
Geisha Lounge
Getminted
Gold Circle
K Solomons
Littlewoods
Megasportcasino
Oddschecker.com
Ritz
Skybetvegas
Zanybingo
32 Red
Play Monte Carlo

This is only the second outfit serving scum, out of many.

This problem permeates our entire industry.

In this list, we don’t know who is being targeted. But we do know that with whenu you can ask to excempt anyone you like, so I should hope that above gambling outfits exempt affiliate sites except for those who have joined the scumming.

[Author]

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