Pronto Fact Sheet
Adware Fact Sheet Index
Below are the test results for Pronto Shopping Comparison application.
Individual test criteria should be considered with each other to
gain a more complete understanding of how the application behaves
on the end user's computer. AffiliateFairPlay's testing focuses
on the behavior with regards to revenue generation for the adware.
There are other behaviors which may be of interest such as how the
adware is distributed and consumer privacy issues. We will leave
that reporting to others.
A positive test result indicates that the behavior occurred during
our testing. We do not report a positive result on solely an isolated
occurrence of the behavior. A negative test result indicates AFP
did not observe the behavior in our testing. While AFP makes every
attempt to structure our testing protocols in order to elicit the
behavior if present, it should be understood that adware may be
programmed to activate only when one or several conditions are met.
Such conditions can lead to behavior not being observed during our
testing.
Screen shots are provided to provide a general understanding of
how the adware appears on the end user's computer. They may not
reflect all possible behaviors of the application.
A full explanation of the testing criteria can be viewed
here.We
strongly recommend reviewing the test criteria definitions in order
to adequately understand our results.
| Test Date(s): January 2006 |
| Version: 9.00021 (Beta) |
| Application Type: Shopping Comparison |
| Allows 3rd Party Advertising |
 |
No |
General
Behavior |
| Displays Pop-up/Under/Behind, Slider or New Browser Window |
|
Yes |
| Alters the Content of the Original Web Site/Page |
No |
| Intercepts and/or Changes Web Navigation of the Original Web
Site/Page |
No |
Where
Does The Behavior Occur? |
| Merchant's Web Site |
|
Yes |
| Affiliate's Web Site |
No |
| Search Engine Return Page |
No |
| Desktop (e.g. No Web Browsing Occurring) |
No |
Ad Delivery
Behavior |
| Automatically Invokes Affiliate Tracking Code (No Physical
Click by End User) |
|
No |
| Displays a Prompt Which End User Must Click to Invoke Affiliate
Tracking Code |
Yes |
| Activates on Merchant's Non-Affiliate Traffic (e.g. Direct
Type-ins, Natural SERP's, Paid Advertising) |
Yes |
| Activates on Merchant's Affiliate Traffic |
Yes |
Delivers Hidden Ads (i.e. Ads or Merchant's Web Site Is Not
Viewable by End User)
|
No |
| Displays Ads On Competitor's Web Sites |
Yes |
Trademarks in the URL and/or Contents of Web Page Being Viewed
by End User Trigger Software
|
Yes |
| Ads For Merchant's Web Site May Display on Affiliate's Web
Site |
No |
| Ads For Affiliate's Web Site May Display on Merchant's Web
Site |
No |
Types
of Ads |
| Affiliate Marketing (Pay For Performance) |
|
Yes |
| Media Buy (CPC, CPM) |
No |
| PPCSE Listings |
No |
| Shopping Comparison Listings |
No |
Browser
Compatibility |
| FireFox |
|
No |
| Opera |
No |
| Pronto
is a stand alone software application (i.e. it is NOT a toolbar,
BHO, etc) for comparison shopping put out by
IAC/InterActive. The software provides an end user interface.
Part of this interface is a built-in browser where the price
comparison listings and navigation to the Merchant's web site
occur. While many adware applications tend to target the merchant's
domain, Pronto focuses on specific products and will provide
an 'alert' for price comparisons of the same or similar products.
The 'alert' is in the form of a slider on the desktop that occurs
when the end user is surfing on a Merchant's web site. |
Screen Shots
Below are screen shots depicting generally
how the software appears on the end user's computer: Click on the
image to view full-size image.
Main Pronto User Interface which is can be pulled
up from an icon in the systray
Desktop Slider Alert for price comparisons while
browsing a product on Merchant's web site
Price Comparison Listings in Pronto Interface when
"alert" is clicked
|
