Web marketing company 180solutions has acquired Hotbar.com, a company that distributes free tools and programs to users along with targeted advertising, the two companies said Wednesday.180solutions also announced a name change to Zango, the same as its software product.Terms of the deal were not released. The companies said in a statement the merger will increase the audience for their advertising software.Twenty of Hotbar’s employees in its New York and Israel offices were laid off, and the remaining 83 will work for Zango, based in Bellevue, Wash. Zango will continue to offer Hotbar’s e-mail and browser toolbars, it said. Hotbar’s program also allows for customizable skins for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser and Outlook and Outlook Express e-mail programs, while serving up targeted pop-up ads based on user browsing habits.The functions of the software offered by companies such as Zango and Hotbar have been under consistent scrutiny. Hotbar and security vendor Symantec reached an out-of-court settlement in February after the two sparred over how the Hotbar should be classified. Symantec continues to classify Hotbar’s program as low-risk adware and offers a tool to remove it.Zango’s software delivers what it calls time-shifted advertising based on user searches in exchange for free games, videos and other downloads, such as the pervasive smiley-face “emoticons.”If someone searches for a washing machine, an ad relating to appliances could appear in a new browser window two hours later. The software is referred to by security experts as adware or spyware, and can in certain configurations slow down a computer’s performance.In January, the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a Washington, D.C., nonprofit group, filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission against the company, then called 180solutions.The CDT alleged the company used deceptive practices to get users to download software. Complaints centered on whether users were properly asked their consent before the software was installed. Zango said that over the past 18 months it has cleaned up its distribution network in light of concerns that the software was spreading through networks of hacked computers. Zango said the software now asks users twice for their consent before it is installed. Last year, Zango launched a technology called Safe and Secure Search Assistant that the company says enables quicker detection of unauthorized installations of its software.-Jeremy Kirk, IDG News ServiceCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content opinion Cisco debuts bold portfolio of network, security, and observability solutions and previews generative AI capabilities for Webex and Security Cloud Cisco’s innovative technologies help connect the dots of its network- and cloud-based ecosystem. By Pete Bartolik Jun 07, 2023 4 mins Cloud Security brandpost A guide to hybrid cloud deployment for innovation without disruption How do organizations balance their on-premises preferences and requisites with the crucial need to innovate? By Ahmed Helmy, Global Vice President, Avaya Experience Platform Product Management Jun 07, 2023 3 mins Hybrid Cloud brandpost Bringing AI to your organization? Better bring the right database Why Apache Cassandra offers the scalability, reliability, and speed required for building artificial intelligence applications. By Patrick McFadin Jun 07, 2023 7 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence feature 7 ways to spot hidden IT talent within your ranks Your organization has hidden IT superstars in the making — both within and outside IT. Here’s how to find and elevate them for maximum impact. By John Edwards Jun 07, 2023 8 mins Staff Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe