Sunbeltblog comments
Well, one things for sure, whoever is running the affiliate program for Ask toolbar is either getting huge bonus or getting fired.
But they're on a roll. Wish they'd turn their attention to other things that the sec comm complain about, but that won't make them any money by fixing those things, right?
Just what does the Ask toolbar do?
well well well...
can't say I'm surprised with Stopzilla. They hardly qualify as a security program. It's already such a piece of crap why not make it worse? Their ads make me laugh as do their online employees who pose as customers and say stuff like, "My PC is so CLEAN nOw! I NEVER get malware and I feel SO secure! Thanks Stopzilla!" XD What a load.
I have a 3-1 bet on the next target. Take your pick of software that will have Ask bundled with it. It shows the time of change in the way vendors will work. They cannot get the target income so go elsewhere to make the difference up.
It's a shame and I hope any common sense security vendors know our view on this. And use the common sense.
For the record, this is NOT an Ask toolbar. Ask provides the search results for users who choose to enter searches into the search box provided.
-K
I understand the distinction -- it's still a private-branded version of the Ask Toolbar.
What harm comes from the Ask toolbar?
It's not really harmful, but it seems the only reason that software vendors include the Ask search functionality is for money -- they probably get paid affiliate commissions either every time someone installs a toolbar, or every time somebody makes a search using the toolbar.
Also Ask's history...(since much improved)
Mr. Eckelberry,
I read your blog often, as do many decision-makers in our industry. I've been both delighted and informed reading your posts, especially the recent entry on the TSA and airport security. However, as the communications director for iS3, makers of STOPzilla, I must rebut your posting about STOPzilla and Ask.com. It is indisputably incorrect, and in the interest of fairness, I would ask you to help me to stem the fallout.
Our toolbar is not a “private-branded version” of the Ask.com toolbar. The STOPzilla Toolbar was built in-house, solely by iS3 developers. It is an integral part of our product, enabling our customers to configure and use STOPzilla directly from their browsers. With STOPzilla Toolbar buttons, the user can enable or disable Spyware, Pop-up and SITEguard protection, report unsafe sites, clear browser histories, and manage definition updates. The STOPzilla Toolbar is not a separate installation. It is an integral component of the STOPzilla application, similar to the IE add-ons provided by products offered by Symantec, McAfee and other highly respected software vendors.
Yes; the STOPzilla Toolbar features an Ask.com search box, but this feature is provided so that users who prefer only one toolbar in their browsers need not clutter up their browsers with two toolbars, or switch between the two while browsing. Many other legitimate applications provide similar functionality. (e.g., RoboForm)
During the STOPzilla installation, we give the user the option of enabling the STOPzilla Toolbar. We believe strongly that any application that could modify the configuration of a browser requires the user’s informed consent. Please note that there is another feature which is described on that dialog which is Home Page Protection. The same logic applies to this feature as well; enabling the Home Page Protection prompts the user to configure a specific home page.
What we are doing is in fact different from what other security vendors are doing by installing the Google toolbar. These groups install a third party application, and are therefore “bundling”. We are not including any third party applications. Although the STOPzilla Toolbar includes an additional revenue opportunity with the search box, we present that revenue opportunity in a way that also provides our customers with a functionality specifically integrated into our product. If you sincerely believe that no security product should be allowed any revenue opportunity other than selling a subscription, even if that opportunity provides useful functionality to the user, then we will just have to agree to disagree.
We believe that we are using best practices: We very clearly explain to our customers what they will be getting, and give them the ability to opt-out of any undesired configuration changes easily. Our goal with the STOPzilla Toolbar is to provide a functional extension of our application that our customers can use when they are most vulnerable to outside attacks: while they are surfing.
As I stated at the beginning of this letter, your voice is heard by influential people in our business. When speaking as an authority, the responsibility for correctness is implicit. My purpose in contacting you is to have the opportunity to prove to you our contentions. Once you have seen the facts, I respectfully ask you to correct this error, which is needlessly defamatory, thus damaging to our good name.
Sincerely,
Jess Kalish
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