Scumware
Client software, often bundled with other applications, that can affect a user's experience on the Web through such means as popping up advertisements over Web sites, embedding hyperlinks within a Web document and even rerouting users to unauthorized sites.
Scumware is often billed as a helpful utility to manage passwords, deliver personalized content or block cookies. But its makers' real intent is often to display ads that have been provided by paying advertisers, or route its users to the Web sites of sponsoring companies.
Creators say it's lawful, effective, targeted advertising.
Web site owners argue that such uninvited links and ads hurt their revenue opportunities, damage relationships with their official advertisers and imply endorsements that don't exist.
From Critics decry spread of 'scumware' on the Web, Network World, 08/19/02.
Additional resources
Scumware.com
Lists scumware and ways to defeat it.
From Gator's mouth
M.E. Kabay on the company, Network World on Security, 08/07/02.
Getting rid of spyware
Gibbs discusses anti-scumware tool Ad-Aware. Network World, 05/21/01.
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