[Kellie aka Ms. B]

per this thread. (http://abw.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=548608979&f=7776002001&m=4836004925&showpollresults=Y) I have been documenting 180Solutions software (n-case) engaging in a parasitic nature and what is worse other affiliates promoting their sites and aff links through n-case. I have found the software to be very aggressive delivering more pops than I have recieved through Gator or WhenU. It's the very first software that I've ever used where I got a Windows message the progam had performed a fatal error and been shut down, only to have it start delivering pop up ads (mostly porn) at double speed. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Some key points to note as far as the Networks definition of COC violations (holds breath) are first the software delivers pops without permission of the site they are popping on. I realize however, that's never been a part of the COC the Networks have seemed likely to uphold. However the software also ingnore the afsrc=1 coding in affiliate's links and is shown in some of the videos. I have not attempted to uninstall this program yet, but I've been told by others who have attempted that the software will reinstall itself. As can be seen by the videos, the software without question interferes with the clickstream and setting of cookies, in fact blatantly overwriting cookies with no action at all by the end user. In fact the end user has no control over the software except to try and uninstall it. There is no listing for it in Program Files (the exe filed is stored in the Program directoy of the bundled software it comes with and is not labeled as n-case nor 180Solutions).

I have heard from one than more person that there have been discussions going on whether or not n-case is parasitic. All I can say is that anyone who has seen it in action and still has questions, does not want to see what is staring them in the face and must have a vested interest in it not being considered parasitic.

IMO affiliates utilizing n-case should be held to the exact same conditions as anyone else utilizing 'software technology.' Additionally, merchants should react the same way.

I have a whole lot of info I've collected, so I will post it in multiple parts.

For privacy reasons, I am not revealing domains, names, or will I publicly publish videos unless the affiliate's site who originate a true click has given permission.

For each incident I've documented I've given it a number and provided the facts. The affiliate, merchants, and network involved can contact me by email or pm and I will turn over all information I have to them.

Where I have found the offending affiliate behind an overwrite and/or their ABW screen name I have indicated so. But unless I hear that it is acceptable to post such information publicly I will not do so. I will share it privately with the victimized affiliate, involved merchants, and involved networks. I have no idea what the policy is regarding aff ID's, but I'll err on the side of caution and those will not be published publicly either.

There are some affiliates who were overwriten or popped on that I am not sure what ABW member they belong to. Most are sites I followed from known members links pages. In those cases, I've asked the known member to contact them and let them know I have documentation of interference with their sites. If they contact me, I will forward them the info.

The next post will begin the info I've collected and sorted through so far.......

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

The first set of videos. I have over 30 more, some I'm still doing some sorting, verifyig and tracking on. I have to get some other stuff done right now, so it might be a bit before I post more specifics. But everyone should get the idea pretty well from these.

No 1
Affiliate: Guffy
Offender: Offender #1 Currently known by aff id only
Pop Occurred Where: EA site from Guffy’s click
Cookie Overwrite?: Offender #1’s cookie set
What Popped: Offender #1’s HanesOnePlace link over EA site
Info Available: Video, copy of all cookies generated during clickstream, Offender’s LS ID


No 2
Affiliate: Guffy
Offender: Offender #2. Identity known by domain. ABW member, user name known.
Pop Occurred Where: SFF site from Guffy’s click
Cookie Overwrite?: Yes
What Popped: SFF site with Offender #2’s tracking code on top of Guffy’s
Info Available: Video, copy of all cookies in clickstream, Offender’s identity, 2 CJ PID’s for Offender, 2 LS ID’s for Offender, 2 Domains for Offender.



No 3
Affiliate: Gordon
Offender:CandleMart.com
Pop Occurred Where: DiscountCandle Site from Gordon’s click
Cookie Overwrite?: Unsure
What Popped: CandleMart.com site on top of DiscountCandleShop
Info Available: Video only. Unsure if the pop by delivered by CandleMart themselves or an affiliate of CandleMart since at the time I wasn’t saving cookies. Does show unauthorized pop up however.


No 4
Affiliate: Cazzie
Offender: Offender #1
Pop Occurred Where: CWC Site from Cazzie’s link
Cookie Overwrite?:Yes NOTE: In this instance, Offender #1’s LS ID was the tracking in the cookie, not Cazzie’s. However, the LS cookie file did not show a (2) as you would expect if first a cookie for Cazzie then the Offender had occurred.
What Popped: CWC site with Offender #1’s affiliate tracking on top of Cazzie’s CWC browser window.
Info Available: Video, copies of all cookies in clickstream, LS ID


No 5
Affiliate: Cazzie
Offender: Offender #3. Known by aff ID only at this time.
Pop Occurred Where: FerretStore.com site from Cazzie’s click
Cookie Overwrite?:Yes
What Popped: FerretStore.com site with Offender #3’s CJ tracking URL in browser window. NOTE: Although all of the offenses weren’t captured on video, I saw several overwrites like this on for FerretStore.com links by this affiliate on several different affiliates links
Info Available: Video, Offender #3’s CJ PID


No 6
Affiliate: Cazzie
Offender:Orconsulting.com
Pop Occurred Where: Popunder on Cazzie’s site
Cookie Overwrite?:No
What Popped: Ad for taking survey (for spam of all things)
Info Available: Video, cookie for ad. Shows 180Solutions generating unauthorized pop ads on aff’s sites.


No 7
Affiliate: Cazzie
Offender:Offender #4. Known by BF TigerDirect ID only at this time
Pop Occurred Where: TigerDirect site from Cazzie’s Link
Cookie Overwrite?:Yes
What Popped: TigerDirect site with Offender #4’s affiliate tracking URL and BF Priority Code
Info Available: Video, Offender’s BF TD aff ID


No 8
Affiliate: Cazzie
Offender: Offender #1
Pop Occurred Where: Overstock site from Cazzie’s link
Cookie Overwrite?: Yes
What Popped: Oversite site with Offender #1’s affiliate tracking in URL over cazzie’s OS browser window
Info Available: Video, Offender’s LS ID


No 9
Affiliate: unknown abw name
Offender: Offender #3
Pop Occurred Where: Wonderfulbuys.com site from affiliate’s site
Cookie Overwrite?:Yes
What Popped: Wonderfulbuys.com site with Offender #3’s affiliate tracking URL over affiliate’s wonderfulbuys.com browser window.
Info Available: Video, copies of cookies of clickstream, Offender #3’s PID, Affiliate’s CJ PID


No 10
Affiliate: unknown abw name
Offender:Membershipme.com ads
Pop Occurred Where: Petco.com site from affiliates link
Cookie Overwrite?:No
What Popped: Membershipme.com ad for premierhealthplus
Info Available: Video


No 11
Affiliate: same affiliate as in No 10
Offender: Offender #5, domain known, don’t know if abw member
Pop Occurred Where: On Affiliates site. A page for Vanns.com
Cookie Overwrite?: No
What Popped: Full browser window of Offenders #5 site (home page) covering affiliate’s site. 180Solutions was triggered by finding the keywords ‘online coupone’ on the affiliates page
Info Available: Video, Offenders CJ PID and LS ID


No 12
Affiliate: Same Affiliate as in No 10
Offender:Either another aff or merchant
Pop Occurred Where: Vanns.com site from affiliate link
Cookie Overwrite?:Not sure
What Popped: Bargaincrazy.com web site on Vanns.com site
Info Available: Video


No 13
Affiliate: Same Affiliate as in No 10
Offender: Offender #6. Known by CJ PID only
Pop Occurred Where: Zappos.com site from affiliate link
Cookie Overwrite?:Yes
What Popped: Zappos site with Offender #6’s tracking url completely over zappos site for affiliate. In fact on this one I didn’t realize for a couple of seconds a new browser window and page had been placed under my cursor. I had to look at the windows opened in the task bar.
Info Available: Video, copies of cookies of clickstream, Offender #6’s CJ PID


No 14
Affiliate: amazing-bargains.com
Offender: Offender #8, domain known, well known ABW Member is connected with this site
Pop Occurred Where: Amazing-bargains home page
Cookie Overwrite?: No
What Popped: Full browser window of Offender #8’s site over Amazing-bargains site. I saw the same thing 2 times, but only recorded it once.
Info Available: Video, domain name, name of one person involved with site, CJ PID and LS ID of Offender #8


No 15
Affiliate: cditty/Linda
Offender:Offender #1
Pop Occurred Where: AKAGourmet site from cditty link
Cookie Overwrite?:Y
What Popped: first just an ad covering 80% of browser window. Then AKAGourmet with Offender #1’s tracking URL
Info Available: Video, Offender #1’s LS ID

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

I would also like to say a big thank-you from myself and the other members here also I'm sure to the folks who have been assisting me in the testing and collection of data in many different ways. TYVM!

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

Originally posted by BLFH (Ms. B):
I would also like to say a big thank-you from myself and the other members here also I'm sure to the folks who have been assisting me in the testing and collection of data in many different ways. TYVM!

Not to mention Akiva who booted an offender on one of his programs in under a minute for me providing him with the info. Let's hope other merchants will take his lead and do what the right thing is!

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[Trust]

"Offender: Offender #8, domain known, well known ABW Member is connected with this site"

"Offender: Offender #2. Identity known by domain. ABW member, user name known."

http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/nono.gif That ain't cool. Good job BLFH

I work in lounge pants http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[mousejockey]

Amazing work Mrs B,thank you so much

Wow this is scary http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
Hate to see us turning on each other by resorting to unethical or questionable methods.

[happypoon]

Thank you Ms B for all your efforts and dedication and to Akiva and hopefully others that will take quick steps to boot affiliates utilizing this software.

AM's on a side note, you may need to consider updating your terms regarding this practice and I'd like for yall also to consider possibly lobying to networks that affiliates that violate merchant terms be subject to disbarment from the network as well.

A slap on the hand and removal from "one program" for someone who blatently violates a merchants terms of agreements seems much less than adequate as far as I'm concerned. I'm hopeful that the AM's here will get together and discuss / pursue this as repetitive interference from the same affiliates on merchant after merchant seems very likely if this is not addressed. There has to be a bigger penalty for people willing to blatently violate merchant terms of agreements.

Only when the stakes are raised to a level where the risks has real penalties will any real progress be made in regards to this and the other copycats that will be sure to follow.

** Have you asked for change? **

[Andy]

Thanks for the information, Ms. B.

To the ABW members involved in pulling this sh!t:

You are a prime example of what is wrong with the world today. You take advantage of others because you can, with little or no thought of the consequences. This is wrong, and you WILL NOT get away with it. Someday you will have to answer to a higher power for what you have done.

Andy

_______________
<font color="red">Call the Exterminators! We've Got PARASITES! (http://www.parasiteware.com)</font>

[cditty]

http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/yelclap.gif Good job B. http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/yelclap.gif

http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/nono.gif Shame on the ABW people involved http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/nono.gif

Chris

----------------------------
<FONT SIZE=1>ezDatafeed.com (http://www.ezDatafeed.com) - Merchants - Give your affiliates your datafeed outside the networks, without cost to the affiliate. Check out ezDatafeed.com for more information.
Scriptsforyoursite.com (http://www.scripts4yoursite.com) - Featuring datafeed import scripts for Backcountry Store, Coldwater Creek, Mondera.com and many more.....</font>

[Buddha]

Thanks Ms B and the others who helped. http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/yelclap.gif

------------------------------
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." -- Mahatma Gandhi

[flamingoworld]

I would sure hope that Haiko would give the boot to whom ever is doing this.
We don't need people like that here.
I think they shoud be outted. If they are doing something like this they are as bad as the parasites and should have it made public.
Way to go Ms. B - if you need any help testing let me know!

[Chet_B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>hopefully others that will take quick steps to boot affiliates utilizing this software.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Is there a way to get a list of affiliates doing this so other AM's can check to see if they are in their programs?

To Good Health & Wellbeing,

Chet Brzezinski
eVitamins Affiliate Manager
http://www.eVitamins.com
affiliates@evitamins.com

[Guffy]

Thanks for you hard work Bster.

I'm pretty http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif that other affiliates, especially those who frequent the ABW forums and have knowledge of parasitic behavior are stooping this low.

I'll not comment further until I have collected my thoughts, except to say, ditto what Andy and Chris said.

Are you able to PM me the video footage concerning my sites please B.

Thanks

Mad Doctor Gfufy

Parasiteware™ Support The Fight (http://www.cafeshops.com/ParasiteWare)

[DianeHeather]

Thank you so much for doing this. That is just so wrong and downright scary.

<P class=sig align=left><FONT face="Comic Sans MS,Sans-Serif" color=red size=4>Diane
</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman,Times,Serif"><FONT color=purple>Interested in Philosophy? Visit my forum: </FONT><FONT color=purple>Philosophy, Spirituality &amp; Kabbalah</FONT> (http://forums.delphiforums.com/kabbalists/start)</FONT></P>

[chetf]

Thanks so much for the hard work, and i also fall in the camp of- if there is video proof, name names and have them banished.

Chet

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

Here's a couple of vidoes that are ok to post so you can see what the pops are like. These particular pops do not invovle affiliate overwrites however.

NetFlip on FatWallet (http://www.affiliatefairplay.com/fatwallet.zip)
WeatherBug Pop on ABW (http://www.affiliatefairplay.com/abw_weabug.zip) http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
Ebates Pop on DealCatcher (http://www.affiliatefairplay.com/ebatespopdealcatcher.zip)

Ahem Poon! I appreciate everyone's thanks..but we need to be raising the roof on the house with the networks and merchants over this. The heat should be turned on full throttle. These guys (180Solutions and the affs) are doing just anything and everything they please! Ask Cazzie how she felt about soft porn pops on her site. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

It's been said that the networks and some major companies have known about this and have been 'discussing' it. IMO what is to discuss? Three minutes of running the software and I knew how I felt about it and what right and what was wrong. I don't expect the Networks and merchants to have to discuss and think on this for months. They had all of last year and then some to think on this practice in general. Supposedly they reached a decision with the COC and Addendum. Enforce it now and don't drag your feet! You've already gotten your grace period of knowing about it without the community as a whole knowing it was going on. It's time to act now.

Thanks for your offer Connie. I think I've done all the testing I plan on doing. Still have around 35 more vidoes to post that I've taken. If that isn't enough for folks, nothing will be. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I'll wait and see how requests the information from me.

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[cazzie]

Thanks Ms. B
I know how much time you invested into this project and to all the others who assisted.

I applaud Akiva for jumping on this so swiftly and hope more managers will do the same.
I am hoping that all the AM's here on ABW get together on this.

Poon
You are right on target!
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> AM's on a side note, you may need to consider updating your terms regarding this practice and I'd like for yall also to consider possibly lobying to networks that affiliates that violate merchant terms be subject to disbarment from the network as well.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> This is a must!
These types of programs should be stopped in their tracks. A slap on the hand is nothing, they should be kicked out of the networks.

Now what concerns me is the fact with all Ms. B found so far I wonder what she didn't find. The way this program is popping we all may have to download the program and police our own sites constantly to find offenders. There is no way Ms. B could or would have checked all our links.
To the ABW member or anyone else who is popping on my site you are one POS! I hope the AM's and the networks get you good! What your are doing is theft plain and simple and I hope you pay for it!
The networks have to get on this ASAP!
Cazzie http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/livid.gif

Join the Fight! Parasite Free In 2003!

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

Oh..the other thing I would like to add is this. Yes, it is an extra kick in the gut if it's an ABW'er doing it. But I don't care WHO it is that is doing it. ABW'er, nonABW'er, small affiliate, large affiliate...all are equally as wrong and should be handled in the same manner and swiftly.

Chet (vitamin Chet), pm me what you want.

Guffy, I'll upload your stuff and will pm you a link to download it. Give me a bit. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

It's Your Money. You earned it. What are you going to do to make sure you get to keep it?

[Ebudae]

http://abestweb.com/smilies/banghead.gif For any Merchant or Network who doesn't think this application is a parasite - I can verify it is. My son NEVER installed it on his PC - it was a drive by download. And it is durn near impossible to get off your PC as it just keeps reinstalling itself. I have run numerous programs trying to get rid of it to no avail. They are parasites and so are the affiliates and merchants who use this kind of application. Hopefully you will do the right thing about this problem!

http://abestweb.com/smilies/censored.gif To the affiliates who are doing this - you are no better than pond scum.

http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/curse.gif I would like to see the offending affiliates names and ABW identities announced. I think we have a right to know who the thieves among us are.


http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/thumbup2.gif Good work Mrs. B! You are a credit to this community!!

Ebudae

If you understand, things are just as they are...
if you do not understand, things are just as they are.

[cazzie]

Both Nortons and Spybot list them as parasites
Cazzie

Join the Fight! Parasite Free In 2003!

[Nova]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I would like to see the offending affiliates names and ABW identities announced. I think we have a right to know who the thieves among us are. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I Second that for sure!

Thank you Miss B. and others that working hard to correct what is should've been the Networks and Merchants JOB!!!

But of course they are all blinded by money and greed!

Shame on you ABW member that scumming others! You outha to be hang and be feed with fire ants!
http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/smash.gif

What does the COC http://abw.infopop.cc/greamlins/deal.gifstand for? Crooks Overwriting Commissions.
Don't worry! Tracking is infected!
Love Life to the fullest. we only get ONE chance! :-)

[flamingoworld]

Ms. B...maybe you can let Haiko know who the affiliate is and he can decide whether to post the name or not..

[happypoon]

Quick Flashback with 180 solutions (http://abw.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=548608979&f=8916013434&m=4066006724&r=3456086634#3456086634)

Is it surprising that this scenaro just keeps getting worse and worse? How many affiliates even complained or made a comment about this, how many affiliates responded in the open letter to networks thread?

What is surprising is Ms B's dedication as well as others on the front line fighting parasites when they get so little support from the rest of the affiliates here.

Make a commitment this new year and get involved so that hopefully change can "really begin to happen".

** Have you asked for change? **

[cazzie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Ms. B...maybe you can let Haiko know who the affiliate is and he can decide whether to post the name or not.. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am sitting here wondering why we should not out this person or any other person we find overwriting our links? Why should they be protected?
Cazie

Join the Fight! Parasite Free In 2003!

[flamingoworld]

True Cazzie. We openly talk about parasites here, listing their urls.

Those involved in this case are parasites so I don't think they should really have any protection.

I don't really understand this no posting of ABW members sites if they are found to be doing unethical things.
I think anyone found to be doing questionable things should have it openly posted and if they wish to respond and defend themselves, fine.