I have repeatedly observed Accoona receiving -- and from indications in tracking URLs, in all likelihood paying for -- traffic originating with advertising software installed on users' computers without their consent. (Most folks would call this spyware.)

The sequence of events: User is browsing the web, hits an exploit, and gets infected with spyware. Later, that spyware opens popups of the Accoona site (including its toolbar installation solicitations), and by all indication Accoona pays for this traffic.

One doesn't ever see Google buying traffic in this way -- nor Yahoo or MSN, for that matter. Yet this is a problem I've repeatedly observed for Accoona.
Ben Edelman | Homepage | 12.02.05 - 11:17 am | #