links in posts indirect?

[cochrane]

We’ve had threads on it before. A quick search reveals:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=636875&highlight=vigilink

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=608769&highlight=vigilink

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=614950&highlight=vigilink

Viglink isn’t malware. As Ed Zotti explains it,

@Ed_Zotti

Viglink is indeed a partner of ours; we get a small commission every time you click on a link to one of their clients. The process is supposed to be more or less invisible and doesn’t load any software on your computer. We’ve had scattered reports of malware from clicking on a link, e.g., the infamous phony virus scan popup. This isn’t supposed to be happening. If you see it, save a screen shot before bailing (Alt-Print Screen) and let us know; we’ll investigate.

Vendors pay Viglink a commission if anybody buys something after clicking on a link on the SDMB, and Viglink pays the SDMB a portion of that commission.