"AdBoost is an extension for Chromium-based web browsers that adds more ads to websites, something of a departure from the many ad blocking extensions that exist. Generally, when extensions inject ads, that's the result of malware, or to use Google's prior litigation-shy language, "unwanted software," a term that has since evolved into the even more timid phrase "potentially unwanted programs.""
""We need more ads because advertisers desperately need our attention and money," he quipped in an email to The Register. "If we don't feed the advertisers, then we'll be forced to pay artists for their creative work." AdBoost won't get anyone paid. It's apparent from AdBoost's code that the extension's ad supply is not fetched from an ad server. The ads are hardcoded and are clearly intended for provocation rather than promotion. With ad copy like "Insurance Insurance. Protect yourself against loss of insurance for $35""
AdBoost adds additional advertisements to Chromium-based browsers instead of blocking them. The extension must be downloaded from a GitHub repository and installed in developer mode because it is not distributed through the Chrome Web Store. The injected ads come from hardcoded content in the extension rather than from an ad server and appear designed to provoke rather than to promote legitimate offers. AdBoost does not funnel revenue to content creators. Ad injectors have generated large numbers of user complaints, and many such programs have historically been classified as unwanted or potentially unwanted software.
Read at Theregister
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