"Intellitext" text link ads: spy/adware?

[Fred Forsythe]

Recently, a number of pages I have visited, especially several pc forums (including this one on one occasion) have had numerous words double underlined in the page text. Mouse-overing these words opens a window which displays a link to an advertisement (e.g., on the page http://sillydog.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8343 the word "Microsoft's" in a forum post is double underlined, mousing over it opens a window displaying the link www.microsoft.sql.bigdata, along with the text "See how the Mediterranean shipping company processes 5 terabytes of data with SQL server 2005. Learn more.). I have not clicked any of the links, since this all seems a little "underhanded" Again, I saw several of these on this page last weekend (in my post here http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=47230), including one purporting to take the user to a link displaying BP's take on global warming (yeah, like I'm gonna read THAT :rolleyes: ) When I visited here later that day, the links were gone. SO, I'm wondering if these are paid links placed there by the site (e.g., pc guide... please say it ain't so... ), if they're placed there without the site's consent, OR if it's some ad/spyware on MY MACHINE (Dell Pentium 4 running XP home sp1). Webroot Spy Sweeper, Adaware Pro & Norton AV all come up clean on my end. Running FireFox 1.5.0.4 on the machine displaying the links.

TIA

Fred

[Fred Forsythe]

OK I just checked the page http://sillydog.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8343 mentioned above on my wife's mac running Safari, same connection as my machine (via a router). No ad links appear in this page on her machine. :confused:

Fred

[Budfred]

You shouldn't be seeing them if you are logged in... They are ads that PCGuide contracted for to help cover the costs of keeping the forums open... They are not visible to people who are logged in, but they are a PITA to those who are not... Unfortunately, economics dictate compromises...

If you look around a bit, there are several other threads about them, starting about the same time that they started...

[Fred Forsythe]

You shouldn't be seeing them if you are logged in... They are ads that PCGuide contracted for to help cover the costs of keeping the forums open... They are not visible to people who are logged in, but they are a PITA to those who are not... Unfortunately, economics dictate compromises...

If you look around a bit, there are several other threads about them, starting about the same time that they started...

Thanks for the reply. I did search here when I 1st saw them and came up with nothing, but since they didn't reappear on my next visit (I guess the logging in thing was the deciding factor) and since I have been seeing them on other sites, I was thinking they were a problem on my mcahine & I didn't search here prior to posting today. Thanks for the reply.

Fred

[mjc]

Actually, they are one of the less intrusive means of advertising. A simple highlighted word is much less annoying than a screaming banner...or <heaven forbid> pop ups.

[Fred Forsythe]

If you look around a bit, there are several other threads about them, starting about the same time that they started...

BudFred-Out of curiosity, I have tried to find the posts you're referring to. I've searched "Contentlink" (the name on the ads), ads, advertisement, etc. & come up with nothing. Can you direct me to the post(s) in question?

Thanks,

Fred

[Budfred]

Sorry, I don't remember where they were posted, I just remember the question being asked... I was one of those asking at first... We will continue to let people know when they ask, so it isn't that crucial to find the old ones... :)

[PrntRhd]

The ads on this site are Kontera based.
Edit: Note they should only be active for users not signed in.

Some members complained about the intrusive nature:
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37557

[ErnieK]

Have a look through this forum search result where you will find what you are looking for (hopefully) IXL's (Charles's) thread about the ads is about 5th from the bottom)

http://www.google.com/custom?sa=Search&domains=www.PCGuide.com&q=adverts&sitesearch=www.PCGuide.com&client=pub-7336295634598623&forid=1&channel=4794982004&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3B VLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3 AFFFFFF%3BALC%3A000000%0D%0A%0D%0A%3BLC%3A000000%3 BT%3A0000FF%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3 A50%3BLW%3A140%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com% 2Flogo.gif%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com%2F%0 D%0A%0D%0A%3BFORID%3A1%3B&hl=en

[Fred Forsythe]

Thanks for the replies, looks like this has been going on longer than I realized. Answer seems to be to stay logged in. I do seem to be seeing these things on more & more sites, especially discussion forums.

Fred