Aureate DLL
The Aureate DLL, from Radiate.com (formerly Aureate Media), is installed with hundreds of freeware and shareware programs; it displays banner ads while the program is running. It downloads advertisements from its home site and reports which ads have been shown and clicked on. The program's author is paid based on the advertising views and click-throughs. In the case of a freeware program, this is the only money the author gets. The Aureate DLL includes an optional survey that may appear some time after the initial installation. Uninstalling the host program does not remove the DLL; it can continue to operate independently.
Worst of all, according to Steve Gibson of Gibson Research, the Aureate DLL introduces a serious security hole. A malicious hacker could redirect the Aureate DLL to phone the hacker's server. That server could then take control of the Aureate dll, instructing it to download further malicious code onto the user's machine and execute that code. According to Gib son, the Aureate DLL's ability to download new programs has been confirmed, though there is no evidence that this has yet been used for nefarious purposes. Gibson also notes that browser problems, including complete browser crashes, have been traced to the Aureate DLL.
Radiate states that its DLL does not gather or report any personal information, does not track your Web-surfing habits, and does not monitor what you do on your computer. The dll does, however, associate the information it gathers with a unique id, so as to tailor the ad offerings to your interests. For those who wish to remove the program, Radiate offers an uninstall utility here. Naturally, removing the Aureate DLL will disable any freeware or shareware programs associated with it. You can check Radiate's privacy policy on their website.
What can you do?
The distinction between marketing demographic analysis and invasion of privacy was already blurred long before the invention of spyware. Right now, you're targeted for specific direct-mail advertisements based solely on your zip code. Every time you enter a contest, fill out a survey, or send in box tops for a free trinket, you're adding to the vendor's database of demographic data. Marketers would love to know every little thing about you, so they could deliver advertisements that would pique your interest. Some people think this is just fine; they love getting mailings and catalogs that cater to their hobbies and interests. If that's not your style, you'll need to stay alert.
Check your browser's security settings to make sure ActiveX controls can't be installed without your knowledge. In Internet Explorer 5, choose Options from the Tools menu and click the Security tab. By default, the Internet zone is set for the Medium security level. At this level, you'll be prompted before downloading ActiveX controls but not before running or scripting them. If you want to change the security options, click the Custom Level... button. Make sure the Prompt box is checked under Download signed Active X controls, so you'll be prompted before any such installation. Select Prompt under Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins and Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting, at least temporarily. If the frequent prompts generated by the second two settings prove too annoying, you can change them back to Enabled.
Every time you install a new program or utility, read the license agreement. If it mentions integrated advertising, background use of your Internet connection, or anything that suggests spyware, you may want to abort the installation and investigate. And if, despite these precautions, your newest game or utility sports ever-changing banner ads, check with the vendor to find out where they're coming from.
You can learn a lot by visiting a spyware vendor's Web site. You'll usually find links with information for advertisers and developers. Follow those links and carefully peruse them. Chances are good you'll find phrases like "...significantly improve online advertising e-performance by integrating actual online identity with off-line demographics and behavior." This will appeal to an advertiser but may appall the consumer whose "demographics and behavior" are under scrutiny.
I have now removed this annoying and intrusive program from my system twice. I know this is "old news" but it is trully annoying and given it looks like I purchased a piece of software (0n cd, in a reputable store) that has this stinker on it! I'll be contacting that vendor for confimation of my suspicions and if they prove so, there goes my business to someone else.