Spyware/Malware/Adware graph. Courtesy Wall Street Journal The New York Times' Steve Lohr and Gary Rivlin report that Microsoft is in talks with spyware / malware / adware purveyor and developer Claria (Gator) for $500 million. Claria was formerly named Gator until an image makeover and re-branding effort in advance of an aborted IPO in 2004. The name Gator had become synonymous with unethical practices, intrusive spyware and aggressive pop-up ads -- a notorious reputation that just wouldn't do for the dog and pony show that precedes IPOs.

The Wall Street Journal's Mylene Mangalindan and Robert A. Guth attempt to explain Why Microsoft May Wade Into 'Adware' ...   more »