Think before you install the latest version of the Ask.com toolbar. Many of us will be used to search toolbars, in fact studies suggest that a little under half of us will prefer to use them rather than a search engine.
Add to this that Ask.com is actually part of IAC, a large online media company, with other online properties such as downloadable cursors, and you have to wonder if the toolbar is just a way to get their software onto our machines.
But before you install the latest version of the Ask.com search toolbar, ask yourself what information you are giving away. IAC was sued by eTrust about its toolbars which is part of a larged business ethics organization, and giving the recent debacle regarding the Ask.com eraser tool, things dont look good.
14 comments:
I dont see why anyone would bother with Ask.com. Google is the only search engine that matters!
Some of the points raised are good ones. It is a little worrying that they are not certified by anyone, but there is no legal requirement.
Often toolbars are a way for a company to get their software on your machine.
Google does it via the Installer and then uses it to send you other software or updates.
Ive never used the ask toolbar, only ever the google one, but i know that a while ago there were plenty of "rogue" toolbars.
I use the toolbar and havent had any problems. The google toolbar used to make my machine crash
Why does anyone need a toolbar anyway? Too much hassle to type w w w . a s k . c o m?
LOL
This post has a huge inaccuracy. IAC was NEVER sued by eTrust. In fact, eTrust is part of the international charter, which gave IAC the safe download seal in 1999.
CHECK YOUR FACTS.
I dont see any information suggesting that eTrust has endorsed IAC. Whats your source?
This is without a doubt my favorite pic;
http://shogun.shafted.com.au/temp/too_many_toolbars.jpg
Ask.com is one of the best search engines around. Now they got rid of that stupid butler man.
I liked Jeeves. He was the best thing about it.
But seriously, I didnt know they were owned by IAC. IAC are just a chop shop for spam and the likes. Wouldnt suprise me if the toolbar had all kinds of wholes and privacy back loops in it.
In this day and age privacy is a priviledge. Companies have more information on you than ever before.
Yes IAC probably monitor the search toolbars, but what did you expect? They have to maximize revenue, and that means learning as much about you as possible, so their advertisers can target things.
This is a commercial world we live in, deal with it.
Who invented the first toolbar? I think it was hotbot, wasnt it?
Nah, hotbot came up with the first desktop search, which Google stole (along with all the headlines)
As far as I know, eTrust and IAC have never sued eachother. I am very curious to know the source of this misinformation.
The parent company to eTrust (the International Charter) last year provided one of IAC's toolbars with a "Spyware Free" certification having independently tested it. See certification here. It is not the Ask.com toolbar per se, but does provide Ask search results.
-Kirk
(IAC employee)
Thats very interesting. I think the problem I have is that while many toolbars, including Googles, may not be classed as spyware, they are in fact a lever to getting on my pc.
If it wasnt for the pagerank tool, Id never use a toolbar.
What really pisses me off is when they install themselves as part of Adobe PDF reader or something. That really boils my blood.
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