Zango?

[xxxjay]

A lot of people seem to be pissed about these guys...I really don't know anything about them (other than they are some kind of spyware).

Can someone get me up to speed, so I can find out a way to deal with these fuckers?

[MrYum]

You've probably read the same threads I did at the zoo.

Zanga is indeed spyware/adware/malware. From what I gleaned...

It's an 'install' frequently packaged with something else a surfer might actually want...like porn movies. There are quite a number of really foolish webmasters peddling this crap...either not realizing what it does, or saying fuck it and taking the quick buck.

Upon installation, a db is downloaded to the users computer and linked to their browser. Every page that's loaded into the browser is scanned and crosschecked with that db. Keyterms that show up on the webpage are then linked to an zanga affiliate code. Surfer clicks and buys...zanga affiliate gets the sale. Now, if that's not bad enough...links being effectively loaded on your pages...it gets worse.

If a surfer clicks on one of your links and something in that link (like a paysite name) matches the db, a popunder is launched seconds after the click...thereby overwriting your affiliate code with the sponsor (since it's the second code received by the affiliate tracking system.) If the surfer buys, the zanga affiate gets the sale...not you.

There was a big stink on myspace about something they pulled recently...I don't know the details...other than a lot of computers were infected. From what I read, there are currently millions of computers infected with this crap. Kinda starts to make sense why sales have dropped off and continue to drop |angry|

[Maj. Stress]

Now, if that's not bad enough...links being effectively loaded on your pages...it gets worse.

If a surfer clicks on one of your links and something in that link (like a paysite name) matches the db, a popunder is launched seconds after the click...thereby overwriting your affiliate code with the sponsor (since it's the second code received by the affiliate tracking system.) If the surfer buys, the zanga affiate gets the sale...not you.


One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

[Licker4U]

One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

Write a tutorial on that :D

[jayeff]

One more reason for using php redirects for linking to sponsors.

You might want to load a spare computer with some of this scumware and check whether you are as secure as you apparently believe. Much of this scumware is not triggered solely by the URL read upon the initial click: it monitors all requests and can therefore intercept post-redirect calls too.

There are dozens of scumware providers who collectively are making millions. They are not generating a single new sale, thus every cent is being stolen from sponsors who are not their clients and from affiliates (even when the diverted traffic ends up at the same destination as it was originally intended for, but does so with a different "affiliate" being credited with the sale).

Epithets like "the zoo" are not undeserved, but once in a while serious things turn up there too. This is one of those things. It's not a new issue, but because it has been ignored it is gathering momentum and scumware is definitely not something about which anyone can afford to be complacent.

[MrYum]

You might want to load a spare computer with some of this scumware and check whether you are as secure as you apparently believe. Much of this scumware is not triggered solely by the URL read upon the initial click: it monitors all requests and can therefore intercept post-redirect calls too.

There are dozens of scumware providers who collectively are making millions. They are not generating a single new sale, thus every cent is being stolen from sponsors who are not their clients and from affiliates (even when the diverted traffic ends up at the same destination as it was originally intended for, but does so with a different "affiliate" being credited with the sale).

Epithets like "the zoo" are not undeserved, but once in a while serious things turn up there too. This is one of those things. It's not a new issue, but because it has been ignored it is gathering momentum and scumware is definitely not something about which anyone can afford to be complacent.
Damn sorry to hear the php redirects won't stop it either |banghead|

I agree completely Jay...the "zoo" comment is something I picked up from another member here and seemed appropriate. While I almost never post over there, I do monitor that board for exactly reasons like this situation. Once one filters through the silly stuff, there are sometimes important issues like this that arise.

[babymaker]

i still say go to the source :D they are in manhattan in soho there are 3 companies that use various names it was in business week. if you have a big site that really gets affected, go get your money...they are in a loft office not some big towers :)

p.s. lawsuits are public docs that have addresses lol.....shhhh

[pornhitzman]

xxxjay, Zango in action at your site:

http://www.teamclickcash.com/tmp/jayxxxlinks.html

this test was made by a guy at another board. I hope this company can be put to sleep for good.

And this is how they "deliver" the traffic to their advertisers:
http://www.metricsdirect.com/whatwedo/deliveringyourads.aspx

"Interested in information about mortgages, a person types in the URL to a well-known online mortgage services company. MetricsDirect recognizes the targeted URL, and while the original page is loading, delivers a competitive advertiser’s landing page. This occurs only when the competing mortgage firm has targeted its competitor’s URL. This offers the consumer a comparative shopping opportunity."

In other words, you will have to buy your own keyword back from competitors or let them get YOUR sale and of course you will loose your affiliate sales when your cookie gets overwritten or if another paysite of the same kind pops up.

Zango and 180solutions |angry|

[pornhitzman]

I just installed zango on my computer and made a test on my own site and it pops up another dating sponsor over AFF when I click one of my AFF links. Same thing happens when I click on any cams.com link.

this is just so wrong.

[MrYum]

I just installed zango on my computer and made a test on my own site and it pops up another dating sponsor over AFF when I click one of my AFF links. Same thing happens when I click on any cams.com link.

this is just so wrong.
I know this has been going on for a while now, but it does seem as though there's a 'ramping up' taking place right now |angry|

Hats off to ya for installing the fucker and testing it |bow|

[neticule]

So what can be done about this?
If the affiliate code stealing thing is true, then they are basically taking money out of our pockets that is rightfully ours, since we sent the click that made the sale...

Cant anything be done? Isnt this against the law? Are they based in the USA? You think sales are down now, this shit hasnt even started :( It is just going to be spread and spread until something is done about it, I sure dont want half of my surfers to be infected with this, which is where it could be within a year or two. Not cool.

[TopbucksTrixxxi]

I know this has been going on for a while now, but it does seem as though there's a 'ramping up' taking place right now |angry|

Hats off to ya for installing the fucker and testing it |bow|

Well if you consider that gambling became officially illegal in the last month or so, they need to replace that income with something else. Porn is the perfect victim - there are so many people that can't see a foot past them that they will be willing to infect as many as they can in hopes of making that .40 per install or whatever it is that these companies pay.

What those people that help facilitate the installs aren't realizing is that their incomes, with every other sponsor they work on in the future will now diminish. This disease of an install will chew up on your income for the next few years or until it's cleaned off the computers of infected surfers.

Everything from SEO, Galleries, TGP, MGP, LinkLists, Free sites, hubs......whatever you build from now on, remember that if nothing is done to stop this, you are basically giving a certain % to some invisible income chomper.


**Also, it's not only the company that owns the scumware that is 'taking' from you - it could be your competitor, other affiliates, one of your sponsors. The other folks are bidding on the keywords from another of their services as PPC. So you worked HARD on finding and building great text on your pages - and they basically takeover your text, links, hardwork and credit for all the surfers that are infected with this stuff**

[virgohippy]

So what can be done about this?
If the affiliate code stealing thing is true, then they are basically taking money out of our pockets that is rightfully ours, since we sent the click that made the sale...

Cant anything be done? Isnt this against the law? Are they based in the USA? You think sales are down now, this shit hasnt even started :( It is just going to be spread and spread until something is done about it, I sure dont want half of my surfers to be infected with this, which is where it could be within a year or two. Not cool.

I know a guy who has a baseball bat! |club|

Seriously... what can us little guys do?

[jayeff]

I know a guy who has a baseball bat! |club|

Seriously... what can us little guys do?

Stop promoting sponsors who are not actively opposed to scumware. Treat anyone, whatever their role in this business, like a leper if they promote scumware.

It is depressing how many people have been working in online porn for years, yet still act as if they are only here to make a quick fortune and retire. It gets very old waiting for more to recognize that our business environment can have more impact on our incomes than most of the minutiae we concern ourselves with on the boards.

[BishopWeber]

CRACK the program and develope some kind of antidote, then all sites may promote the antidote to rewrite the database to turn it against everyone that is involved with scumware |raygun|

[MrYum]

Well if you consider that gambling became officially illegal in the last month or so, they need to replace that income with something else. Porn is the perfect victim - there are so many people that can't see a foot past them that they will be willing to infect as many as they can in hopes of making that .40 per install or whatever it is that these companies pay.

What those people that help facilitate the installs aren't realizing is that their incomes, with every other sponsor they work on in the future will now diminish. This disease of an install will chew up on your income for the next few years or until it's cleaned off the computers of infected surfers.

Everything from SEO, Galleries, TGP, MGP, LinkLists, Free sites, hubs......whatever you build from now on, remember that if nothing is done to stop this, you are basically giving a certain % to some invisible income chomper.


**Also, it's not only the company that owns the scumware that is 'taking' from you - it could be your competitor, other affiliates, one of your sponsors. The other folks are bidding on the keywords from another of their services as PPC. So you worked HARD on finding and building great text on your pages - and they basically takeover your text, links, hardwork and credit for all the surfers that are infected with this stuff**
Very well put and absolutely true Trixxxi |thumb

Frankly, it was more than a bit disconcerting that some folks who stated openly they'd continue to promote this for the quick buck. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot |banghead|

[TopbucksTrixxxi]

Very well put and absolutely true Trixxxi |thumb

Frankly, it was more than a bit disconcerting that some folks who stated openly they'd continue to promote this for the quick buck. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot |banghead|

Exactly - See I can expect some funky stuff from a newb in the biz - but people that have already been here for awhile, I wonder what would inspire them to want to lose a potential customer for a few years for a measily $ 0.40.

Think of the poor smuck that has it installed, now if I have a hard time removing mine, the neighbour's and everyone in my family & I can basically skate well on a computer - imagine what some fresh surfer has to go through?**BTW I've gotten these crap things auto-installed many times - now who's installing them, I'm not going to point a finger BUT it has been auto-installed & it's a bitch to remove** Do you think he'd want to spend $ 50 - $100 to have someone efficiently remove it or format his drive? Do you think he will be happy-go-lucky surfing in the future? The answer is no & the other answer is the more you do it, the more you are conditioning your surfer to become skeptical and cautious rather than be a spur-of-the-moment emotional buyer.

The other thing is think of the power you are giving these companies!!!!! Not only are they taking over your traffic, in some cases, they are also charging per click for YOUR work!!! it's a win-win situation. You are inadvertently giving them total control of YOUR clients - remember that. It's a client that will never come back to you - even if he loves your site, any purchase he will make will be credited to someone else. Keep that in mind when you're all gun-ho about installing for a measily $ .40.

**Mr. Yum - I'm sure you understood it - but just in case - when I refer to 'YOU' I mean anyone who's all 'YAH MAN!! WOOHOO $0.40 per install baby - I'm making bank!' :)

[nekrom]

That's the one bit which struck me as odd. Selling the junk for 0.40 per install. I'm pretty sure you could make the same if not x10 more by sending traffic to legit sponsors that have either free joins, $1 joins or dialer access.

-N

[tickler]

That's the one bit which struck me as odd. Selling the junk for 0.40 per install. I'm pretty sure you could make the same if not x10 more by sending traffic to legit sponsors that have either free joins, $1 joins or dialer access.

-N

Sorta strange number, with PPC I generally calculate earning about 40¢/click as a working ROI.

I agree that sending Big Tony around for a visit first |club| would be more satisfying, and then calling in the uniforms after to haul away the trash.

[MrYum]

Exactly - See I can expect some funky stuff from a newb in the biz - but people that have already been here for awhile, I wonder what would inspire them to want to lose a potential customer for a few years for a measily $ 0.40.

Think of the poor smuck that has it installed, now if I have a hard time removing mine, the neighbour's and everyone in my family & I can basically skate well on a computer - imagine what some fresh surfer has to go through?**BTW I've gotten these crap things auto-installed many times - now who's installing them, I'm not going to point a finger BUT it has been auto-installed & it's a bitch to remove** Do you think he'd want to spend $ 50 - $100 to have someone efficiently remove it or format his drive? Do you think he will be happy-go-lucky surfing in the future? The answer is no & the other answer is the more you do it, the more you are conditioning your surfer to become skeptical and cautious rather than be a spur-of-the-moment emotional buyer.

The other thing is think of the power you are giving these companies!!!!! Not only are they taking over your traffic, in some cases, they are also charging per click for YOUR work!!! it's a win-win situation. You are inadvertently giving them total control of YOUR clients - remember that. It's a client that will never come back to you - even if he loves your site, any purchase he will make will be credited to someone else. Keep that in mind when you're all gun-ho about installing for a measily $ .40.

**Mr. Yum - I'm sure you understood it - but just in case - when I refer to 'YOU' I mean anyone who's all 'YAH MAN!! WOOHOO $0.40 per install baby - I'm making bank!' :)
Yup, understood it completely :)

And agree totally, some of the people in this business are so short sighted it's staggering. Like yourself, I could see a newbie making this kind of mistake. And frankly, it wouldn't be as detrimental to the industry if it were someone with little to no traffic to speak of. But, some of the people pushing this crap actually have traffic. They're not only fucking themselves...they're fucking all of us in the ass too. And for a long time to come as surfers become convinced it's that damn porn business fucking up their computers again |banghead|

That said, I'm going to start doing some sideline work as a geek on the go. These fuckers are costing me money...no doubt about that...stats have been horrible since this shit really hit the fan a few weeks ago. Unlike some who say, 'if ya can't beat em, join em'...I'll make up my lost revenue by helping surfers remove this crap and educating them on how to keep it clean :)

Frankly, even if/when zango is taken down...there will be others...there will always be others. So fuck it, I've decided to do the right thing and help the end users who are being screwed. Makes me feel good...and will most likely be fairly lucrative too :D

[virgohippy]

Stop promoting sponsors who are not actively opposed to scumware. Treat anyone, whatever their role in this business, like a leper if they promote scumware.

Washing my hands of the idiots is easy enough, but how would I know which sponsors work with these demons?

Frankly, even if/when zango is taken down...there will be others...there will always be others. So fuck it, I've decided to do the right thing and help the end users who are being screwed.

You got a PM MrYum. |thumb

[iMan]

wow... I had no idea that I'm working for others.. |angry| |banghead|

I'd also like to know how to spot the good/bad sponsors... or anything else that can be done.

[GoodTimesPorn]

GammaCash is no better... they run 5 toolbar installs as well...

[plateman]

kinda a dumb question

the unique gets stolen before a hit can count in our sponsor stats? or its masked to show a hit and they steal a sale?

I am very worried about this we 4 year old webmasters that came into this biz have a hard enough time trying to make enough to make it worth while and now this shit comes about, we all need to band toghter, webmasters and sponsors and try and put a stop to this, before we all or working for next to nothing while these thieves get fat on our traffic and hard work...

I have seen a small gradual decline in click throughs, maybe its this shit in action...

[TopbucksTrixxxi]

kinda a dumb question

the unique gets stolen before a hit can count in our sponsor stats? or its masked to show a hit and they steal a sale?


Depends the case - it's not always the same - not all of those companies work the same way.

The software will actually convert your 'text' into linkable 'text (http://www.textlinking/)'
Others will leave your text intact - but when anchor text to your sponsor says something like 'HOT TEENS' and that link is clicked - it sparks a pop-over. So if your sponsor's tour came up they pop-over with one of their client's sites. **Your sponsor disappeared under the window so basically, you don't get 'A' sale**
The other scenario is when they have a 'client' that actually bids on that same sponsor - they basically bump you out of the sale by sending to the other affiliate's code.

[KG Gary]

Can sponsors tell whether or not a sale has come from a zango/180 solutions affiliate?

I'm starting to get REALLY worried about this as my sales are at a lower level than when I first started making freesites back in March.
I'm aware that it's very easy to get sucked into blaming lack of sales the first suspicious thing you can think of, but the way my sales have plummeted is very worrying, especially since I'm sending more & more unique visitors to sponsors every day, but getting less and less sales.
This month, apart from some good bought webcam traffic, I've had three signups. Count 'em - three!
I was expecting to be at just over one sale per day by now, and my figures from the last six months showed me I was there, but things have just dropped off. in the last couple of weeks.
Sorry to moan, but it's scary to think my little sale-per-day could be being stolen.
|huh

[pornhitzman]

Can sponsors tell whether or not a sale has come from a zango/180 solutions affiliate?

I'm starting to get REALLY worried about this as my sales are at a lower level than when I first started making freesites back in March.
I'm aware that it's very easy to get sucked into blaming lack of sales the first suspicious thing you can think of, but the way my sales have plummeted is very worrying, especially since I'm sending more & more unique visitors to sponsors every day, but getting less and less sales.
This month, apart from some good bought webcam traffic, I've had three signups. Count 'em - three!
I was expecting to be at just over one sale per day by now, and my figures from the last six months showed me I was there, but things have just dropped off. in the last couple of weeks.
Sorry to moan, but it's scary to think my little sale-per-day could be being stolen.
|huh

I tried to click a couple of smaller sponsor links on my site (non-cam non-dating) and nothing happened. I saw no popups, so I guess we are just having a bad month and sales will pick up soon. It should get back to normal as long as you got traffic and clicks. And of course pray that people won´t start stealing more paysite clicks.

[TopbucksTrixxxi]

I tried to click a couple of smaller sponsor links on my site (non-cam non-dating) and nothing happened. I saw no popups, so I guess we are just having a bad month and sales will pick up soon. It should get back to normal as long as you got traffic and clicks. And of course pray that people won´t start stealing more paysite clicks.

Do you have an infected computer? If not, your clicking is 'normal'. You have to have it installed on a computer in order to see the effects of it.

**Also, some folks are reporting that it's 'calmed' down now and not hijacking links with all the heat they are getting across a lot of boards - same pattern as earlier in the year.**

[pornhitzman]

Do you have an infected computer? If not, your clicking is 'normal'. You have to have it installed on a computer in order to see the effects of it.

**Also, some folks are reporting that it's 'calmed' down now and not hijacking links with all the heat they are getting across a lot of boards - same pattern as earlier in the year.**

I installed it to try my links. I just hope it doesn´t get worse now.

[virgohippy]

**Also, some folks are reporting that it's 'calmed' down now and not hijacking links with all the heat they are getting across a lot of boards - same pattern as earlier in the year.**

Considering the sneaky practices they've already proven themselves capable of doing, it must be difficult not to succumb to using absolute power. |shocking|

[MrYum]

Considering the sneaky practices they've already proven themselves capable of doing, it must be difficult not to succumb to using absolute power. |shocking|
Oddly enough...sales have picked up slightly in the past 48 hours or so too. Things that make ya go hmmm...

They'll wait for the dust to settle a bit, but the technology is out there. I'd suspect they won't stop for long |club|

[xxxjay]

I've been busy reading these treads. I am working with a few REALLY BIG webmasters and we are about to take the fight to them.

[iMan]

Zango Under Fire From Adult Webmasters (http://it.slashdot.org/it/06/10/14/1952229.shtml)

Some interesting posts there... aparently many people feel that it's ok to steal in some cases. |bigfuckin

[virgohippy]

Reminds me of the way so many people turned a blind eye when some passionate new power monger proposed eliminating the weaker members of society so everyone else could flourish... by the time the rest of the world was ready to cry out in protest, too many had already been killed... |sad|

...

Nother thread about Zango, in case anyone missed it:

http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/showthread.php?t=35146

[iMan]

Nother thread about Zango, in case anyone missed it:

http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/showthread.php?t=35146

Yeah, sorry. I should have posted in that thread... didn't think about it. This shit's got me worked up like nothing else |catfight|

Everything about this crap should be kept up on top for everyone to get pissed off about every day IMO. |banghead| |banghead|

I started building and submitting sites very recently but I've been planing to get into this for a long time, and I've invested a LOT of time for virtually nothing so far!
But that's fine... I have no problems with working for nothin' as long as I believe that it'll EVENTUALLY pay off... and I suspect that many, if not most,
people who're getting into this feel the same way.

However, If I would have had the slightest idea of what these mother fucking Zango
kind of leaches are doing, I probably wouldn't have bothered with any of it... MY bad!!!

And why the hell would some SPONSORS be on board with this??
That's GOT to be counterproductive in the long run... starving your affiliates like this, no?
But maybe they're not in it for the long run.. huh?

What I can't believe is that it's been going on somewhat since 2004 and it's getting lots of attention just now?.. or is it? How could I have missed it? I've been reading boards for a long time!
There should be riots i every city and village of every nation on our dear globe by now! :)

Like you said virgohippy:

Reminds me of the way so many people turned a blind eye when some passionate new power monger proposed eliminating the weaker members of society so everyone else could flourish... by the time the rest of the world was ready to cry out in protest, too many had already been killed...

It's been 2+ years, too many have been killed and it's time to stand up and cry out!! |cry|

So for all you vets with greater power and bigger brains, let me know where to sign up for the rally and I'm there... I'll even bring my own pitchfork!

Btw, I found a post by SmokeyTheBear over at gfy.com with an idea of how to beat Zango.
I've been doing some experimenting with it since last night but as I don't have a whole hell of a lot of traffic, I can't really say if it'll make a difference so far..
Did anyone else with some substantial amount of traffic see and try this solution yet?

http://www.gfy.com/showthread.php?t=665894&highlight=zango

|attention |angry| |huh |club| |chainsaw|



Am I overreacting?

[virgohippy]

Interesting idea... but if tactics like this are used wide scale then ultimately it'll just become a pissing match between coders as Zango adapts to webmaster tactics, and webmasters adapt to Zango adaptations... and the surfers still potentially suffer from yet even slower load times, more security holes, and non-loading pages. |sad|

Another thing too: as a matter of principle, Zango shouldn't be able to grab one dime the way they do, but it seems like a lot of webmasters who indicated this is the first time they've become fully aware of the issue almost immediately implied Zango is the reason.

Let me go on record saying that I blame my lack of recent productivity on my far too long interlude from the fresh freesite crafting game. |thumb

And no, I don't think you're overreacting. You're venting your frustration on a public forum... that's healthy. If you bought a gun and a plane ticket then I'd say you might be overracting. |loony|

[shaman]

We are not so big masters, but if we can do something with this shit post here our actions, please. This is a real EVIL for all webmasters and we have to fight together everywhere at any time, i think.

[KG Gary]

Another thing too: as a matter of principle, Zango shouldn't be able to grab one dime the way they do, but it seems like a lot of webmasters who indicated this is the first time they've become fully aware of the issue almost immediately implied Zango is the reason.

Let me go on record saying that I blame my lack of recent productivity on my far too long interlude from the fresh freesite crafting game.
My sales problems are probably due to a combination of things, not least promoting new sponsors and new niches and spreading those hits out etc etc.
I doubt that Zango affiliates have stolen any of my sales, but it's hard not to point the finger when your numbers look so bad compared to previous months.
The idea that another webmaster can simply muscle in on a sale that I'd generated is enough to make my blood boil, but the first person I'm looking at regarding bad ratios is me.
:(

Interesting reading on GFY, and I see that Legendary Lars has made a statement and has taken some stick about it.

[mb]

The best thing that could have happened was this getting the attention it's now getting. Some things will change. Most likely the sponsors that have been secretly using Zango will probably decrease from the heat they are now receiving.

marc

[crackerseb]

hello i'm new there (not US or UK so forgive about my bad english)
although i work in X biz for over 4 years now

i just saw my sales were ... slow and traffic higher so i went on one of my sponsor's board and saw a link to there

i realized i was affiliate at LOUDCASH two years ago ( just tried it like two months and stopped it, it sucked and in fact i did not like te whole process, anyway ....) and now i see that LOUDCASH became ZANGO CASH ...

so by reading this thread i had a versy special feeling down my spine ...
tried to go to loudcash and get in my "used-to-be-loudcash" account but "userd id is disabled"

don't know if i'm really in trouble with this i mean : i don't run a freesite, i just post gals to TGPs, do you think these guys can suck my traffic and links ?

anyway these kind of methods really piss me off, i hope they' ll be taken down in any possible way

[eman]

The best thing that could have happened was this getting the attention it's now getting. Some things will change. Most likely the sponsors that have been secretly using Zango will probably decrease from the heat they are now receiving.

marc

It's your choice but I'm wondering why you're still promoting AFF. Are they now "clean"?

I know they're not the only ones involved - but your site is something of a litmus paper.

[GonZo]

LARS WAS FORCED!!!

FREE LEGENDARY LARS!!!!

[eman]

LARS WAS FORCED!!!

FREE LEGENDARY LARS!!!!

Haha :D

[Analgetic]

Zanga stupid bitch. I fuck his moyher in the ass.

[Analgetic]

mistake, "mother"

[eman]

Hmmm
crackerseb = berserk cac
analgetic = anal getic (it doesn't get any better)

[Analgetic]

*** I AM RUSSIAN CHEATER, FUCKING SHIT ***

[Analgetic]

Sorry for my brocken english :)

[Silver Knight]

Analgetic and eman - your posts are offtopic, please stop it.

I think that some of these methods can work:

1) Contact all antispyware software creators and ask them to make an update to delete this shit.
It would be good to make Microsoft to delete Zango too in their windows updates, but I'm afraid it's impossible.

2) Ask big adverts like myspace do not promote Zango.

3) Ask sponsors do not pay Zango.

[tickler]

Ask all SEs to not link to sites that install this garbage.
Ask all hosting companies to auto-delete the malware.

[shaman]

Use warning messages on our resources like: ZangaToolbar spying for you or Zanga steals money or Zanga eats you traffic or anything else The surfers must afraids to install or to have this ware

[tickler]

Since these thiefs bring no new traffic to the sponsor:
It would only take one thief buying out a sponsors links, to cause a massive decline in traffic for the sponsor, as affiliates move to greener pastures.

[ChiTown]

GammaCash is no better... they run 5 toolbar installs as well...

I used to post that all the time when they came out with the XXXtoolbar and CoolWebSearch.

Even SlickCash uses spyware..
SlickCash is a tracking cookie that monitors your Internet activity
and gathers your personal information as you surf the web.
This information may be retrieved by the parent company,
without your consent.
SlickCash.com



And Porn Spammers, here's a list of them.
adultc.com has address 209.51.174.131
allbooties.com has address 209.51.174.221
allbrutal.com has address 209.51.174.220
angel2slut.com has address 38.113.141.79
argentinalove.com has address 38.113.128.2
avipornxxx.com has address 209.51.174.219
bestpicsteens.com has address 209.51.174.217
betsimple.com has address 209.51.174.216
braincash.com has address 66.152.83.128
buttspankingmovies.com has address 209.51.174.215
deedevelopments.com has address 66.254.98.68
domymom.com has address 64.237.40.174
freakycumshots.com has address 66.115.173.52
fuckingdrunks.com has address 66.115.173.58
gammae.com has address 216.127.33.92
gapinggirls.com has address 66.235.134.246
kinkylesbo.com has address 216.127.33.92
liveinteractive.net has address 66.115.176.29
momsaslut.com has address 66.235.134.245
orgyfactory.com has address 66.115.173.52
porndollar.com has address 198.65.160.219
slickcash.com has address 66.235.134.243
sluthq.com has address 209.51.174.137
whatwouldyou.com has address 209.51.174.222
younglatina.com has address 216.127.33.92

[Chop Smith]

http://xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=17751

[virgohippy]

http://xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=17751

Thanks for posting Chop.

"Zango serves ads based on a consumer’s Internet use and search activity from browsing, including keywords from the websites a consumer visits."

So first you read my page and deliver an ad based on what sponsors/ads I have on my pages...

"Bruzzese claims Zango does not in any way overwrite cookies that are tagged with affiliate ID codes."

But there's no cookie to overwrite because the surfer never went through my link because you read my page and sent the surfer to my sponsor first but with your id instead of mine...

Bruzzese, was this response supposed to reassure me, as an affiliate, that you're not stealing from me? Because all I see is that you've confirmed exactly how you go about doing it. |sad|

[iMan]

http://xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=17751

|banghead|

wow, I feel so much better now that he explained it all............

So he's totally ignoring webmasters concerns and is thus pretty much saying that, yeah, we're screwing sponsor affiliates deep and hard... but consumers are happy cos they're getting all the fucking ads they were so hoping and expecting to get.. |angry|

[Linkster]

After seeing this and reading the article I see that we need a three pronged approach
First - naming any sponsor that supports this or benefits in any way from this activity - and I believe we should start a thread right here to do it.
Second - and I will take the lead on this one - delete any sponsor that is confirmed to support this from all sites
Third - and again I will try to take the lead here on this - work with a programmer to defeat this the same way we did with the MSN problem that did the same thing - if anyone wants to work with me on this one I will try to make sure there is some sort of compensation involved

[Linkster]

Also noted that there are advertisers on this board that do take part in this venture so it will be up to the board mods to decide whether to pull any posts that may be made involving those sponsors

[DangerDave]

|thumb - I am 100% with Linkster on this one... and will also kill any sponsor confirmed on the list.

In my opinion we should also "out" the sponsors that support SE spammers and the webmasters that use install/codec program like VideosCash

.. but Zango is a good place to start...

DD

[Greenguy]

Also noted that there are advertisers on this board that do take part in this venture so it will be up to the board mods to decide whether to pull any posts that may be made involving those sponsorsJim & I will be addressing this issue on Monday.

[SheepGuy]

[QUOTE=Linkster;307630]
First - naming any sponsor that supports this or benefits in any way from this activity - and I believe we should start a thread right here to do it.
Second - and I will take the lead on this one - delete any sponsor that is confirmed to support this from all sites
/QUOTE]

My knowledge of programming is limited to say the most, but I will definitely dump any sponsors using this crap, and will post on my submit page saying that I will not allow submissions for sites promoting sponsors who use this crap.
But where can I find a list of sponsors using Zango or similar?

[plateman]

if zango keeps growing users, eventually there will no longer be a need for the webmaster or any webmaster boards...

I bust my ass trying to hit the right SEO on my LL, and the spammers and scammers walk there way right through google and knock all my listing out, and it dont take a genius to see they are flat out robbing us...

And its certain sponsors who knowingly take there traffic, even after they been reported, if they would close there accounts down, a lot less would spam as there's no one to pay them...

I been reading other boards about zango and from what I read a whole shit load of site owners are ready to fight, tgp LL owners and so on...

when this list is shown and confirmed any sites with sponsor content on them, I hope I can leave them and never ever promote them again and delete all links on my LL's and drop all trades to other LL's When they know that program is a zango cheater...

also I would never post on any boards that advertise any zango sponsors or click on any ads or sign up to any other programs on there board....

I am barely scrapping by and to hear what zango and some sponsors do is mind boggling, a lot I talk to mostly say how bad sales are and click throughs are to for them...

I am not no king producing traffic god but put a few 1000s of webmasters who think like me and others and the message may get accross

[plateman]

here is some more info on zango

http://www.1source4.info/0504-hb2-netflix/netflix.html

here is the best data I found on zango http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/180-affiliates/ its a good read and a lot of info

[tickler]

Don't miss this page there either:
http://www.benedelman.org/cookiestuffing/match-110404.html


<IMG border='0' width='1' height='1' src='http://www.qksrv.net/click-1515738-8066398'>

Looks like you can stuff cookies across domains by burying the link in a 1x1 pixel.

[Jel]

Count me in. I'll gladly state on my submission pages that sites with sponsor xyz will not be accepted if it's proved they support this zango fiasco, and will yank any links down of my own, and swap freesites including content if necessary.

|thumb - I am 100% with Linkster on this one... and will also kill any sponsor confirmed on the list.

In my opinion we should also "out" the sponsors that support SE spammers and the webmasters that use install/codec program like VideosCash

.. but Zango is a good place to start...

DD

Agreed also - I recently had a bunch of shit from a large sponsor when I pointed out an affiliate was scraping my sites to rank for phrases (including my domainname.tld) and redirecting straight to them, and was given the usual BS we'll warn the affiliate yadda yadda yadda. Unsurprisingly after a few days new domains cropped up from the same aff, same technique, same BS answer. Anyway, geting off track slightly so I'll shut up, but again, count me in to do whatever is necessary :thumb

[iMan]

I'm thrilled to see that you big beards (or experienced small stubs) are doing something about this :)
I'm just a peeon pissing my pants of excitement to see that the zango daemon might, by the power of ALL, be brought to his crusefiction... and that in the span of MY porno lifetime :) |bananna|

I've got 'bout 10-20 sponsors (a bunch on the same CCBill account so I'm not sure if those counts as a separate ones..)
But Linkster, How can I know if the sponsors I promote is on the long and impressive list of zango sponsors?
I've looked everywhere on zangcash's site and I can't find any list what so ever... do I need to sign up with this vermin to be able to access all this info?
Is there any chance that I could somehow get this list anyway?
I'd HATE to be building sites for dirty ass sponsors without knowing!

Thanks!

[EzRyder]

After seeing this and reading the article I see that we need a three pronged approach
First - naming any sponsor that supports this or benefits in any way from this activity - and I believe we should start a thread right here to do it.
Second - and I will take the lead on this one - delete any sponsor that is confirmed to support this from all sites
Third - and again I will try to take the lead here on this - work with a programmer to defeat this the same way we did with the MSN problem that did the same thing - if anyone wants to work with me on this one I will try to make sure there is some sort of compensation involved

I'm in also!

My traffic is up but clicks are way, way down to sponsors and signups, well, in 8 years this is the worst period I have ever had saleswise.

[eman]

As far as I can tell my sites are now clean of any direct links to AFF/LL. FWIW I've never promoted sexsearch.

I'll gladly remove links to any other sponsors as and when they are implicated in the zango bid-fest.

I have a very loyal base of surfers and I will not knowingly betray their trust.

[Jim]

here is some more info on zango

http://www.1source4.info/0504-hb2-netflix/netflix.html

here is the best data I found on zango http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/180-affiliates/ its a good read and a lot of info

I love this movie
http://www.1source4.info/0504-hb2-netflix/netflix1.wmv

[Simon]

Jim, that movie won't play for me but I poked around the 1source4.info site and found this page talking about Netflix and BestBuy...

http://www.1source4.info/0504-hb2-netflix/netflix.html

--
(edit: ... which I now realize was already posted in this thread but since I can't delete this post I'll just make it longer.)
--

Maybe the .wmv file shows something else, but the html page talks about how both BestBuy and Netflix are both being stolen from in their example.

[Platinum Dave]

Great thread, where do I get an install to test if this company is stealing any traffic from my sites.

I have heard stuff about a dozen spy ware companies stealing traffic,
I always never believed it until I saw that link.

http://www.teamclickcash.com/tmp/jayxxxlinks.html

Now I need to start serious investigations Monday morning.

[GonZo]

Great thread, where do I get an install to test if this company is stealing any traffic from my sites.

I have heard stuff about a dozen spy ware companies stealing traffic,
I always never believed it until I saw that link.

http://www.teamclickcash.com/tmp/jayxxxlinks.html

Now I need to start serious investigations Monday morning.

Dave....

Not sure if youve seen this or not but I figured Id make you aware of it.


http://www.platinumdork.com

[Platinum Dave]

Dave....

Not sure if youve seen this or not but I figured Id make you aware of it.


http://www.platinumdork.com

Yes I saw that, it was Mayor who created that site.

[Platinum Dave]

Don't forget the other site http://www.platinumdave.com

some people have to much time on their hands.

[GonZo]

Yes I saw that, it was Mayor who created that site.

Sure has been a lot of strange marketing coming out of this industry as of late. Lawsuits...defamatory web pages... it often makes me wonder what sponsors go around saying about each other.

I guess we have a good example with this Melissa Midwest lawsuit from those guys.

Poor marketing...almost as poor as the "leaked" Jordan Capri Honeymoon video.

[Papa]

CRACK the program and develope some kind of antidote, then all sites may promote the antidote to rewrite the database to turn it against everyone that is involved with scumware |raygun|

Hummm that would be so cool

[Sexvilly]

do you know you can actually check if your site has Zango infected users or not?

go to your WebAlizer / AwStat and watch Browsers, Zango infected users look like this Mozilla5.0;ZangoTlbr

this from russian forum, one guy had out of 9000 visitors 2000 (or was it 2%?) infected with Zango. I know many russians have CJ traffic where differen spyware is popular. they trade traffic between each other so all get infected surfers. check your stat if you have any. if you don't trade with CJ or TGP where this also popular no reason to worry then?

[eman]

do you know you can actually check if your site has Zango infected users or not?

go to your WebAlizer / AwStat and watch Browsers, Zango infected users look like this Mozilla5.0;ZangoTlbr

this from russian forum, one guy had out of 9000 visitors 2000 (or was it 2%?) infected with Zango. I know many russians have CJ traffic where differen spyware is popular. they trade traffic between each other so all get infected surfers. check your stat if you have any. if you don't trade with CJ or TGP where this also popular no reason to worry then?

Good tip|thumb

I've never paid too much attention to that section of my stats.

My stats list just the top 15 browsers and there's no sign of Zango but over 5% of the browers are infected with Fun Web Products stuff.

If zango does feature at all it will represent less than 1% of my surfers.

[kenny]

Good tip|thumb

I've never paid too much attention to that section of my stats.

My stats list just the top 15 browsers and there's no sign of Zango but over 5% of the browers are infected with Fun Web Products stuff.

If zango does feature at all it will represent less than 1% of my surfers.

I got the funweb problem too.

What the hell is that?

[EzRyder]

According to Fun Web Products web site:

http://help.funwebproducts.com/webmaster.html

Fun Web Products:

Does NOT "spider" websites
Does NOT contain any malicious software
Does NOT collect any personal information
Does NOT monitor the sites visited
Does NOT monitor behavior on the Internet
Does NOT log or track keystrokes
Does NOT "hijack" home pages
Does NOT serve or facilitate ads

I see a ton of references to them in my stats so who knows?

[Platinum Dave]

I got the funweb problem too.

What the hell is that?

Fun web products is Smiley Central, maybe they changed their policy because they decided it's time to make money.

[Linkster]

If I remember correctly funwebproducts is distributed by ask(ask jeeves) and most spyware programs treat it as spyware - it also installs 13 other applications when it loads including specific search toolbars that pop ads, although they claim that none of it is "malware". Thye are covered by their TOS but just a smost toolbar installs - its what comes with it that hurts the most

[Linkster]

IN answer of how to get rid of all traces of funwebproducts I just looked at my spysweeper and it will do itAlso if you happen to buy a Dell computer it will come with that already installed for you - as mywebsearch - nice of them to preinstall spyware for you

[juggernaut]

Sorry have not been around much. Busy as hell and just got to reading this thread which should make my 430am wake up fun. But for those of you who want to help your members on stopping alot of this crap. I have seen GG put up a page to help. If people are going to do the same remind or let your surfers know how to set up their browsers.
a few settings that have always helped me. in IE 6

1) go to tools, internet options, and make sure install on demand is UNCHECKED. this is MS little way of make some old side cash by allowing 3rd party companies they do business with to install some of their shit on your system. Most of the time it's harmless but "install other" and not knowing what it is, is bad.

2) go to tools, internet options, privacy, advanced. Place a check mark in "Override Automatic cookie handling" Accept first party cookies, Block 3rd party cookies, and always allow the session cookie.

I don't know if this will stop this, I know I have never ever gotten a toolbar or anything else installed on my system other then what I want. If you want to play and see how much shit is really out their, set the privacy to prompt for 3rd party. You will be surpised how many people try to sneek shit in your system. Also just on a note of those of you who are concerned how these settings would affect your bottomline. They will not! If you are a legit wm and not trying to pullshit over on someone, your cookie will stay in their system. Try this on some of your test systems by removing your mouseovers and you will see the cookie tracks you just fine to the sponser. Anyway hopes this helps some of you..

[shaman]

Zango is distributed via ClickZs.com script! Read this thread (Removed ("") fro more information (in russian)

[Jim]

shaman
I went to the url you posted and there was something trying to install software on my pc. I have removed the url.

[shaman]

It's strange 4 me because i put link on Master-X forum (Kit from Penisbot is owner of it) and when i read it thera are no any installations.

[Silver Knight]

go to your WebAlizer / AwStat and watch Browsers, Zango infected users look like this Mozilla5.0;ZangoTlbr

Useful info, thanks |thumb

I've found an interesting article about Zango and otheres, did anybody try something from there?
http://www.affiliatebeginnersguide.com/articles/spyware_affiliates.html