Spyware "features" and affiliate sales

[MamaDawg]

Earlier today, I installed an update to a certain Popular PC Firewall - within minutes to my surprise, it popped up a brand new "feature" - a spyware scanner which "helpfully" deleted all those "evil tracking cookies" from my computer! A close look revealed that the default configuration would run one of these scans weekly.

Here's the kicker: the company runs an affiliate program through CJ ... with a 45 day tracking cookie!

(I guess it technically wouldn't affect THEIR affiliates because if someone already HAS the software they wouldn't be BUYING the software, BUT ...)

Does this make anyone else angry or am I just crabby today?

[ronin]

I'm sure CJ would be interested to hear about it.

[MamaDawg]

I sent CJ a note about it ...

Hypocrites - they know darned well that what they're removing doesn't pose a viable threat, but it sure impresses the uninformed JQP when their brand new software finds and delete a big fistful of "spyware".

[zivkovicp]

Does this make anyone else angry or am I just crabby today?

I'm with you on this one! I hate how these software companies make it look like cookies are the root of all evil and the reason your computer is being infected... it sucks.

[Catalyst]

I'm with you MamaDawg. The whole cookie eating fiasco has me seeing RED. I keep blogging about it, hoping it will help somehow and have tried to rally the troups in our industry to try to do SOMETHING! A new backup tracking method? Consumer education - something. The IAB and others on the pure advertising side have "talked" about initiatives - haven't seen much action yet. But no one I know of except me is talking much about taking action on the affiliate front.

I think a lot more affiliate cookies are being eaten and blocked than people realize. I want all our affiliates from all our programs to make every penny they have coming to them.

I wish fire wall programs & anti-spyware apps would do a better job curbing malware and leave our precious cookies alone!

Linda

[MamaDawg]

FYI, I got a response from CJ saying that they were aware of the situation and are working with the "appropriate people" to resolve it.

[thomas349]

Affiliate program use cookies to track and pay you. If the cookies are removed by anti-spyware programs, there goes yr commission.
I dont think any affiliate program owners or advertisers are serious about this problem, waiting for their solution.......just wait...

[Perfiliate]

Hi

Those who show apathy with this issue are fools to themselves as there will always be someone who will make sure they are unaffected and market share will exchange hands.

Mal