Spreading Spyware: It's a Living
Spyware and adware peddling can be profitable. Take the case of the three Dutch firms fined 1 million euros for there part in a adware distribution scheme. The Register reports:
In 2005, the two unnamed businessmen distributed software called DollarRevenue among millions of internet users. Approximately 450 million software files were installed on 22 million computers in the Netherlands and abroad.
And they were paid well for their efforts:
DollarRevenue was popular for its high payouts to affiliates on a pay per install basis. It paid 30 cents per install in the USA, 20 cents per install in Canada, 10 cents in the UK, one cent in China, and .02 cents in other countries. OPTA estimates that the trio of companies grossed more than €1m.
What's up with the 33% difference in payment for US and Canadian infections? I think it was Jon Stewart that once said of Canadians, "they're just like us ... only nicer." and for that they don't get respect from the malware crowd?
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