Monday, January 07, 2008

Facebook Bans Adware from Zango

One million downloads too late, Facebook has banned a widget that distributes Zango's infamous adware. Unfortunately Facebook's rise along with the proliferation of widget made in inevitable that someone would create sneaky software.

After its software is installed, Zango tracks user movements around the web and interjects pop-up ads. Zango has paid fines to the FTC for its bad behavior, but apparently those were not a severe enough penalty to discourage further misdeeds.

Zango created the "Secret Crush" Facebook widget that included adware as part of the installation process, but it took a report from security firm Fortinet to point out the software's lack of transparency.

Applications that promise free things for nothing (such as ringtones) should always be suspect, so caveat emptor. Facebook and MySpace will become fertile ground for more companies to attempt to turn a profit from their popularity through dubious methods. These companies will have to step up and closely police the widgets and pages that are part of their universes.

Posted By John Gartner at 09:33 AM
Permanent Link: Facebook Bans Adware from Zango | Comments (0)

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