Scumbag vs. Scumbag

In a recent developement after MessengerPlus! was chastized for the advertising content that was displayed to the user when the "Sponsored Program" (Circle Distribution aka: C2Media/LOP) is installed ... so what's the big deal?

The text in their EULA allows for them to replace the users HOSTS file ... so their work-around was to rip-off the entries from my HOSTS file and insert them into their own version of a HOSTS file. They are doing this in an obvious attempt to block WinFixer from displaying ads on the users screen.

What's laughable about the whole situation is that they are trying to prevent one of their own advertisers (RightMedia) from running ads that they pay for ... duh! Makes you wonder what the WinFixer guys are going to do to Circle Distribution as they are not only blocking WinFixer, but also several of their other (unwanted) programs ... this could get interesting!

Published Mon, Dec 18 2006 23:19 by winhelp2002

Comments

# re: Scumbag vs. Scumbag

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:27 AM by sandi

@Mike - you say of Circle Distribution that "their work-around was to rip-off the entries from my HOSTS file and insert them into their own version of a HOSTS file".  Can you explain further? How can you tell that the URLs were from you HOSTS file?

Your comment about RightMedia is a good point, and I'm wondering what RightMedia would have to say about the situation if they knew.

I'm interested in any info you can provide about RightMedia - maybe we should start focusing on them as well, if they're the primary source of the winfixer malware advertisements, with Circle Distribution being a conduit.  You have my email address ;o)