I never see any ads because I use FlyerTalk Adremove in conjunction with Mozilla Firefox and Greasemonkey. ^

See also here.

The undesirable ads should be stopped now. We have identified the ad network from which they came, and we have been in direct communication with them to block the inappropriate ads. We're watching them, and if anyone else sees an objectionable ad going forward, please contact me (PM, email, etc., whatever is most convenient) and we'll get it taken care of. Thanks!

IB sent an email yesterday to TalkMail recipients regarding some available travel deals. While this seemed relevant and potentially of value, based on feedback we received we will not send any additional such mailings. We do endeavor to make FlyerTalk as valuable and positive an online community in which to participate, and we apologize for any frustration which might have been caused over the past week. As always, IB will never release user email addresses to third parties.

-- John

Have you found the offender for the hijacked computers and trojans?

This is alot worse than feeding us porn ads.

Thanks, John. I guess it is a learning curve for all of us.

Learning curve is one thing. Screwing up someone's computer w/ trojans & malware is totally another!

AFAIK my computer is ok, but I'll have someone re-check it to confirm.

And if others use their computers for bizness as I do, they probably would not take kindly to IB/FT potentially screwing up their computers & bizness, and would be getting more contact than some complaints on FT (if you understand my meaning).

PS - I think the IB Travel thing went into my spam folder & since the title either didn't interest me or I didn't catch it before delete all, it got deleted w/ the rest of the SPAM.

And getting back to koko's argument that now that IB has bought FT & thus ads/emails are part of the new bizness model, I get that. But it should be opt-in, not opt-out, especially when the opt-out doesn't work.

Cheers.

The main reason the email worked out so poorly is that there was no obvious tie-in with FlyerTalk. Very few people on FlyerTalk know anything about Internet Brands.

The first person to call me regarding the email thought that the new owners of FlyerTalk had sold his email address to some third party. There was nothing within the actual message that appeared to have any relation whatsoever to FlyerTalk. Additionally, I am fairly certain that this person does not subscribe to TalkMail so if it was sent only to TalkMail recipients I am not sure why this person received it.

The fact that the unsubscribe address was broken only served to make matters worse. Had the message been a TalkMail special edition, or something like that, things may have gone quite differently.

Excellent point.

The e-mail was ill-advised, but nothing to cause extreme consternation.

Getting a trojan on the computer (as some did) as a parting gift for visiting www.flyertalk.com, on the other hand . . .

I don't know how to do the link to one particular post, so here's my input from ORP (expanded from this thread above so not totally violating FT rules)...

I've been following the various threads in both ORP & Tech issues.

I get that those of us (like me) have the 'Premium' issue don't get the ads - haven't seen anyone's private parts yet . So that part is working. But I also don't think it's fair to others by other Premium members on this thread who have paid the $12 to avoid vagina shots to say 'ante up or quit your b*tch'in'. Come on folks. Porn? They should not have to ante up $12 to avoid that.

And yes it was only FT that promised your info is safe but IB took it over, so either they abide by it or they don't. Which now that IB has gotten their input (and it's not been good), seems like they'll do in the future.

Heck I would not have minded getting a 1-time SPAM (and I think others are the same, although I'm projecting) - IF it said it was 1-time only, it provided an opt-in, not just an opt-out & even if it was an opt-out, an opt-out that worked (which I'm assuming they've done by now given the potential for the CAN-SPAM against them).

And if they had done a message at the top of the forums, 'we're thinking of offering travel related emails (such as was received by everyone) & would you like to get them, click here for yes/click here for no', that would have basically solved all the complaint issues (at least for the travel stuff - not re: the porn). Those who were interested would say yes/the rest no, and everyone's email would be safe. They blew that one.

What I will NOT give IB a pass on is from what I've read on this forum & in tech issues is where FTers are getting malware & trojans which are infecting their computers - and no, not all those people are luddites w/ no protection at all. AFAIK my computer is ok, but now I'm bringing someone in to check it out. And I use my computer primarily for bizness (although obviously I surf FT). If malware/trojans from FT/IB had damaged it, they'd be hearing from me in a more direct fashion than posting on FT. Granted I think I'm ok, but if not a 'we're checking into it' post on FT would not suffice. And given IB's offices are about 2 miles from my place I'd demand a tech visit to sort it all out. Others geography might not work so well.

OVMV. Cheers.

PS - Can someone teach me how to do the single post thing?

Sharon, I'd be happy to.

In each post there is a post number.

The post where you asked this question was #38.

Click on the 38 in the right corner of the post.

That'll bring up the single post in a pop-up screen.

Copy the URL from that single post and set up a link.

Thank you! I actually have one more question but so as not to derail the thread will PM you. And look forward to meeting you next week! Cheers.

And herein lies the rub. IB has not said a single word about their ads infecting our computers. Nada. I suspect if they do, they would make themselves liable for at least having our computers cleaned.

I haven't turned my home machine on since the weekend because I don't want to spend the time running more stuff on it to ensure it's clean.

This is totally inexcusable. Never in a million years did I think I would have to worry about a trojan hitting my computer when I visited FT - and that was the only window open on my machine so it couldn't be anything else.

I guess our fears about IB getting the keys have started to come to fruition.

I think it's pretty darn soon for all this wailing and gnashing of teeth.

ONE email, folks. One. I just looked at my SPAM folder and there are 107 emails in there SINCE MIDNIGHT (when the thing auto-dumps). Let's put things back in perspective, shall we? Mark it as spam and get on with points and miles.

As for the malware, trojans, etc., I agree that that's pretty unacceptable from a 'trusted' site. But if you are on the Internet you pretty much better be prepared for that kind of stuff these days. As well may have been the case here, you may be able to control who YOU choose to partner with but you cant always control who your PARTNER has chosen to partner with. So it's always advisable to have your prophylactic on whether you are in a monogamous relationship or not.

Roll with the changes, folks! I for one am excited about the economies of scale that IB will hopefully bring to FT and am willing to deal with the less personal touch that is attendant to that evolution.

Who's not protected? 2 layers of anti spyware and 1 anti-virus updated on a schedule.

The malware was impossible to get off the screen without going to task manager. Usually these types of pop ups can be closed, and again, when visiting FT I would never think of getting a trojan. FT had been feedinig us all kinds of pop ups, including those who take over the center of your screen and had to be manually closed. I took it as just another new FT popup.

While I agree with your general premise. One has to wonder about who IB partners with.

One expects SPAM from SPAMMers. One does not expect SPAM from what one considers a trusted site. I agree that this is a single incident. Coupled with porn ads and malicious ads, one is permitted to wonder, IMO, if this is just the tip of the "bought by big, impersonal corporation" iceberg.

Cheers.


Be interesting to see what these "economies of scale" are. I hope we haven't been seeing some of them so far.

Cheers.