Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Beware Web Ads in Disguise

Ian Paul writes on PC World:

"Buyer beware" may be a cliché, but any regular Web user knows you have to watch your back when clicking display ads on Websites. However, noted antispyware researcher Ben Edelman has had enough of the misleading ads and is taking action. In a blog post today, Edelman blasted Yahoo-owned Right Media for shady ad practices that are specifically designed to deceive you. He also plans to take things a step further by filing complaints against Right Media with the Better Business Bureau.

Edelman calls Right Media a ‘remnant' advertising marketplace -- basically a bargain basement ad network where companies can place their ads on Websites for a relatively cheap price. You've likely seen these types of ads before: mysterious windows that look like a system message from Windows XP or an ad that camouflages itself perfectly by blending in with the surrounding Website's design. Edelman contends these types of ads and many others are illegal and violate longstanding rules of conduct from the Federal Trade Commission as well as the Better Business Bureau.

More here.

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