What is Gator? - Security Term

Gator was a computer program by Claria Corporation. Notorious as one of the first widespread spyware applications, Gator had inadvertently created a revolution in consumer backlash against irresponsible computer program design and malware proliferation. While various computer security vulnerabilities, such as viruses, had been familiar to security experts for years, Gator was the first program to cause widespread concern among nontechnical home computer users. Although most installations of Gator were performed with full disclosure regarding the nature of the program, many users who did not read it's EULA were unaware of the program's activity. While this fact had saved Claria Corporation from several lawsuits, unfortunately it had not stimulated an increase in consumer awareness regarding the need to read EULAs and to understand them. Additionally, Gator could not be removed via standard software removal procedures.