User:Edsussman/sandbox

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  • NOTE: I have fixed various tense issues below without notation. e.g. Instead of "has" now says "had." But with any other significant proposed change, I've inserted a notation.

The Conduit toolbar was an online platform that allowed web publishers to create custom toolbars, web apps, and mobile apps at no cost.[1][2] It was developed by Conduit Inc. but in 2013 demerged to Perion Network, a NASDAQ public company.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[3][4] Web apps and pieces of content developed through Conduit's platform were distributed and exchanged online via the Conduit App Marketplace.[5][6] About 60 million users used apps from the marketplace on a daily basis.[7]

  • NOTE: The first part of the following sentence should be deleted because online forums ("self-published sources") should not be cited as sources. See WP:SOCIALMEDIA. The cited source, in fact, is a tech manual, not an online forum anyway, and does not even call the Conduit platform "malware." It simply gives instructions about deleting it. There are online forum citations elsewhere in the article that do call the program "malware" but self-published sources are never suitable under WP: RELIABLE
  • NOTE: The second part of the following sentence should be removed because it is not a "news outlet" as referred to in the sentence. It looks like a single author blog being used to promote the sale of software to remove programs from computers. As it has not editorial review process, it does not qualify as a suitable source, WP:RELIABLE especially for such a highly contentious allegation, disputed by the company. (It is also only one source -- not several as the plural "outlets" states.) It is not a "news organization" with a "reputation for fact-checking and accuracy" WP:NEWSORG and describing it as such (in the plural) is grossly inaccurate.

Conduit's toolbars have been described in online forums and news outlets as malware[8][9]

ARTICLE SHOULD PICK UP HERE:

Conduit's toolbars have been described as difficult to remove.[10]

  • NOTE: the following source should be removed because it 1) does not support any of the previous statements if you read it (it says the program is ""adware" and 2) it is an instruction manual for a piece of software, not a reliable source. WP:RELIABLE

[11]

  • NOTE: the following statement was unsourced. But there are sources lower in the article supporting make similar statements. I found two reliable sources for the first contention, but since it's phrasing is contentious, I placed it in quotation marks.

It was also described by several technology columnists as a "browser hijacker."[12] [13] [14]

  • NOTE:: The following part of the previous sentence should be removed because it is unsourced. Later in the article, an online discussion board is in used to support this assertion, but that's not a reliable source.

and rootkit capabilities.

Conduit began to shift away from this part of its business in late 2013 when it spun off its toolbar division into Perion Network through a reverse merger.[15] After the deal, Conduit shareholders owned 81% of Perion's existing shares, though both Perion and Conduit remain independent companies.[16]

History[edit]

  • NOTE The following sentence should be removed because it is superfluous to the subject of the software platform.

In 2010 Conduit then-president Adam Boyden was featured in Forbes magazine online, in which he discussed the link between successful social gaming and marketing principles.[17]

ARTICLE SHOULD PICK UP HERE:

In 2010 there were more than 100 million toolbars being powered by Conduit that were used at least once a month, which put Conduit at #29 on Google’s list of top 1,000 sites on the Internet that year.[18] In May 2011, Conduit completed the $45 million acquisition of Israeli startup Wibiya, an engagement platform that enabled publishers to integrate a variety of web applications on their site via the Wibiya Bar product.[19]

During this time Conduit moved away from the toolbar part of its business in order to focus on its mobile and browser engagement offerings. Ingrid Lunden of TechCrunch wrote that by spinning off the Client Connect business, the "split divided the company in two, with one part focusing on its mobile and engagement business and run by Shilo, and the other, Client Connect, merging with Perion". Lunden said further that, "Less than a month after browser-toolbar and mobile startup Conduit merged its Client Connect division with Perion, the company is making another change to its business. Conduit has announced that it will be discontinuing Wibiya, the social browser toolbar service that it acquired in 2011 for $45 million, as it shifts further away from its toolbar business."[20] In late 2013 Conduit was valued at $1.5 billion.[21]

Technology[edit]

Browser[edit]

  • NOTE: The following sentence should be deleted because the facts has already been stated twice before.

Until 2013, one of Conduit's main businesses revolved around downloadable toolbars.

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Conduit allowed publishers to create and distribute their own toolbars for web browsers.[18]

  • NOTE: The following sentence should be deleted because it supported only by two online discussion board ("self-published sources") that cannot be cited as sources. See WP:SOCIALMEDIA.

Typically the toolbars were installed with another software product on which the toolbar was a piggyback program,[22] [23]

  • NOTE: The following statements are unsourced and should be removed.

with users given the option to not install the toolbar. Browsers that initially supported the toolbars included Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari. Google Chrome was added as a supported browser in 2011.

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Examples of toolbars included a Zynga-designed toolbar that helped Farmville enthusiasts keep up-to-date with the status of their game; another was a toolbar from eBay that provided auction updates. The content was customized to the individual toolbar rather than generalized for all users. The toolbar was also be used for general information distribution, which was used by companies to engage in marketing campaigns.[18] Other companies that developed Conduit toolbars include Major League Baseball, Greenpeace, and Lufthansa.[24] Some of the companies and brands that used Conduit's platform were Major League Baseball, Time Warner Cable, Fox News, Zynga,[25] Chelsea Football Club, Groupon, Travelocity, µTorrent, and The Weather Channel.[4][7][26]

  • NOTE: The first part of the following sentence ("online forums") should be deleted because online forums ("self-published sources") should not be cited as sources. See WP:SOCIALMEDIA. The cited source, in fact, is a tech manual, not an online forum anyway, and does not even call the Conduit platform "malware." It simply gives instructions about deleting it. There are online forum citations elsewhere in the article that do call the program "malware" but self-published sources are never suitable under WP: RELIABLE
  • NOTE: The second part of the following sentence ("news outlets") should be deleted because the citation is to a first-person opinion column, not the news section of the website, and therefore should not be represented as a "news outlet." As per WP:NEWSORG "Editorial commentary, analysis and opinion pieces, whether written by the editors of the publication (editorials) or outside authors (op-eds) are reliable primary sources for statements attributed to that editor or author, but are rarely reliable for statements of fact." Even if it were cite, which is not allowed, the opinion column does not call the program a "browser hijaker" - it says it "may" or may not be "spyware or adware".
  • NOTE: The entire following sentence is a repeat of a sentence already in the first section of the article. It should be removed as repetition. Or, the previous mention should be removed and this one kept. It comes off as an attack piece if the same negative contention is repeated in multiple parts of the article.

The toolbars have been described in online forums and news outlets as a browser hijack[22][23]

  • NOTE: The following source should be deleted as supporting this sentence because it is a book that only offers a quote from one online forum - but even that quote does not call the program a "browser hijaker." Even when quoted in a book, an online forum discussion, with no further backing, is still an unreliable source. Here that source doesn't even say what is represented in the sentence.

[27]

  • NOTE: The following source should be deleted because as support for this statement because it is a first person opinion column, not a news outlet as represented, and nowhere calls the program a "browser hijaker."

[28]

  • NOTE: The following source should be deleted because as support for this statement because it is a first-peron column, not a "news outlet" as represented, and nowhere calls the program a "browser hijaker."

[29]

  • NOTE: The following source is a small website in India. Since this claim is already made in the introduction, with better sourcing, I moved the source to the statement in the introduction. I think it should be removed here along with the entire repetitive sentence.

[14]

  • NOTE: The following sentence is a repeat of a sentence already in the first section of the article. It should be removed as repetition. Or, the previous mention should be removed and this one kept. It comes off as an attack piece if the same negative contention is repeated in multiple parts of the article.

The toolbar has been described by some reviewers as difficult to remove. [30]

  • NOTE: The following source should be deleted because it is an online forum.

[31]

SOURCING SHOULD PICK UP HERE IF THE SENTENCE IS KEPT:'

[32]

[12]

[33]

ARTICLE SHOULD PICK UP HERE:

Most of Conduit's revenue comes from paid referrals from its search engine.[34]

  • NOTE: The following sentence is unsourced and should be removed.

Conduit toolbars are automatically downloaded alongside the download of free software, in order to help sites that provide software for free with a form of monetization.

  • NOTE: The following sentence should be removed because the sole source is a book directly quoting a single online discussion board.

Conduit toolbars have rootkit capabilities that hook the toolbar deep into operating systems and can perform browser hijacking.

ARTICLE SHOULD PICK UP HERE:

  • NOTE: Source says "some" not "many" removal tools are considered to be malware.

Some Conduit removal tools are considered to be malware themselves. While not a virus, the program is referred to as a "potentially unwanted program" by some in the computer industry.[27]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wonham, Linc (February 24, 2011). "Conduit's Web App Network Goes Mobile". Website Magazine. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  2. ^ Fried, Ina (February 7, 2011). "Exclusive: Web App Publisher Conduit Expands Into Mobile". All Things Digital. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  3. ^ Nakano, Chelsi (July 16, 2010). "Conduit Network Boosts Browser-Based Apps in a Big Way". CMS Wire. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Dunaway, Gavin (May 13, 2011). "Big Names Grace Conduit's App Platform". ADOTAS. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  5. ^ Knight, Kristina (May 4, 2010). "Conduit's App Marketplace pushes past 100 million users". BizReport. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  6. ^ Hardawar, Devindra (June 4, 2010). "Conduit announces Google Chrome support for its massive app platform". VentureBeat. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Wauters, Robin (July 13, 2010). "Conduit Reports Big Numbers: 250,000 App Publishers, 170 Million Users". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  8. ^ "How do I uninstall Search Protect by Conduit from my computer?". Norton. 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  9. ^ "PUP.Optional.Conduit removal instructions". Malware Removal Guides. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  10. ^ Griffith, Erin (September 14, 2012). "Conduit Turns Toolbar Riches Into Massive Dividend". PandoDaily. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  11. ^ ', Kapersky Labs support pages, December 19, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Tung, Liam (September 9, 2014). "Malicious 'Kyle and Stan' ad network uses Amazon, YouTube to target Windows and Mac users". ZDNet. Retrieved September 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Virgillito, Dan (September 11, 2014). "Kyle and Stan Malvertising Infects Thousands of Computers". VPN Creative. Retrieved September 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b Payal Dhar (21 October 2013). "A browser hijack is no joyride". Financial Chronicle. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  15. ^ Feldman, Yaniv (July 10, 2013). "Israeli toolbar giant Conduit expected to split and acquire Perion". Geektime.
  16. ^ Matthew Kanterman and Elliott Gotkine (September 17, 2013). "Perion With Conduit Seen Besting AOL in U.S. Searches". Bloomberg News. Retrieved December 16, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Discussion of the Week: Adam Boyden". Forbes. August 27, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c Jon Fortt (June 3, 2010). "Browser toolbars are back". CNN. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  19. ^ Gannes, Liz (May 23, 2011). "Conduit Buys Wibiya for $45M". All Things Digital. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  20. ^ Ingrid Lunden (October 7, 2013). "After Buying Wibiya For $45M, Conduit Discontinues Product As It Shifts Away From Toolbars". TechCrunch. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Orr Hirschauge and Inbal Orpaz (September 16, 2013). "$800 million company formed by Perion-Conduit merger". Haaretz. Retrieved February 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ a b "How to Remove Conduit Search Toolbar and search.conduit.com redirect?". Anvisoft. 2013-06-07. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  23. ^ a b Govind, Rajesh (19 February 2013). "How to uninstall Conduit Toolbar and change the IE10 homepage from "search.conduit.com" to the original one". Microsoft Community. Microsoft. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  24. ^ Steve Strauss (June 28, 2009). "To get ahead in this e-world: Create and market content". USA Today. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Wauters, Robin (April 2, 2011). "Conduit Acquires Web Application Platform Wibiya For $45 Million: Sources". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  26. ^ "Israeli Startup Wibiya Will Be Acquired By Conduit For Whopping 45$ Million". Technology Noise. April 3, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  27. ^ a b Keenan, Thomas P. (August 1, 2014). Technocreep: The Surrender of Privacy and the Capitalization of Intimacy. Greystone Books. ISBN 9781771641227.
  28. ^ Nobels, Ethan C. (2010-12-15). "So long, uTorrent". First Arkansas News. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  29. ^ "Uninstalling Toolbars, 'Free Trials'". U-T San Diego. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  30. ^ Kessler, Topher (7 January 2011). "How to remove the Conduit 'Community Toolbar' in OS X". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  31. ^ Pilici, Stelian (January 21, 2013). "Remove Conduit Toolbar and search.conduit.com (Uninstall Guide)". Malware tips. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  32. ^ Honorof, Marshall (February 11, 2014). "How to Remove Conduit Search Adware". Tom's Guide. Retrieved September 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Virgillito, Dan (September 11, 2014). "Kyle and Stan Malvertising Infects Thousands of Computers". VPN Creative. Retrieved September 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Orpaz, Inbal; Hirschauge, Orr (23 August 2013). "Game over in Download Valley?". Haaretz Daily Newspaper. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  • NOTE: The following external link section should be removed because the software is no longer offered by this company. It is defunct.

External links[edit]

Category:Electronic publishing Category:Adware

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