I read this very interesting article earlier today and I decided that I should share it…

A pioneer of software that delivers pop-up ads based on websites that Internet users browse said Tuesday it will exit that business by June following persistent criticism from online publishers, consumer groups and privacy advocates.

Claria Corp. had said last summer it was phasing out its adware business in favour of new personalization services, but it did not commit to a timeline or promise to drop such ads entirely. Tuesday’s announcement is the first such commitment.

The Redwood City company said it has hired Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. to help sell its adware assets.

Critics say adware has emerged as one of the top scourges of Internet use because it often degrades computer performance, tracks a user’s browsing habits and is installed without permission.