What is Alexa?

What is Alexa, it's in my adware in the ignorelist?
Alexa is a Gator software?
It's in my ignore list in Ad-ware. What should I do? Check it and remove or leave it as is, unchecked?

Should this be in the virus section?

 

http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=faq#msalexa

 

Okay, I read it but --

It seems that Alexa is an IE program? that collects information about your computer?

I don't want it to collect information about my computer. In Adware, do I 'ignore' it; or remove it? I'm confused about what to do about it.

I suspect that Gator has polluted my files.

 

Another thought

When I run Netscape, and then with Adware, I don't see as many 'components' found as I do when I run IE.
When I access IE immediately I get popup ads -- is that Alexa working?

Some sites only want IE used, I suspect that's why, to collect info about our computers?

 

Did you read the discussion?

Clicking on IE's "Related" button initiates a search through Alexa which results in the following information being gathered:-

The above information is only "transmitted" if you use the "Related" button - so, if the above makes you uncomfortable, don’t use this feature!

If you would prefer to delete the key completely, you can do so without any ill effects. The key will, however, be re-created each time you update or repair IE.

 

Use this.

 

Only a Comment

When did computers that are personal property become co-owned by software companies that they can attached files & spyware? I have so many utilities on my computer now that are protective against spyware, ads, viruses that they utilities are taking up half the computer space!!

Just a comment.

 

Firstly, the information collected by IE's integrated Alexa "web search" feature is really no different to that which is collected by the majority of the sites which you visit on a daily basis. Here's an extract of the WindowsBBS PP:-

It's not that much different to the Alexa PP concerning the "Related" feature, is it? And it's all perfectly harmless. This type of "tracking" allows webmasters to judge whether advertising funds are being well spent and to tailor site content (which bits of the site are popular and which are not, etc, etc).

Sad, isn't it? It's equally sad that you need to lock your front door to keep out thieves!

That said, configure your browser correctly and be careful about what you install and you'll keep 99% of the junk off your computer without the need for any third party utilities.

 

Components found on Adware

Each and every time I run Adware there are 'components' found.

 

Alexa components? Besides the one that is in your exclude list?

 

Adware

I'm running Adware.
When I check the ignorelist, a file named "Alexa" is listed. It's unchecked. My question is should I check it? Should I remove it?

I don't want to crash the computer, so I don't know how important Alexa is.

 

Yes.........check it.....get rid of it. Though it may very well come back. So check it..and get rid of it again.

As Ramona would say..........

 

It remains undeleted because it's in your Exclude (or Ignore) list and, therefore, it's excluded from (or ignored by) the Ad-aware scan.

It's harmless, but if deleting it will bring a smile to your face then go ahead, you won't do any damage by doing so!

Daizy - small things ...

 

Okay, I checked and deleted Alexa

Let me recap: From what you're telling me this is a file that IE automatically installs that basically captures information about our surfing habits. Like where we go, what ads we look at things like that.

So everytime I use IE to surf the web, Alexa (which I deleted from Adware) spies on my computer and sends the information -- where? Who gets the information?

I just ran Adware again, and before I had 4-6 components found; now since I deleted Alexa, I have 1 component found.

 

No! The "Related" button on your toolbar is like a link to a web page. Click on the button and you'll be taken to that page (although it only shows in a little window on the right - like History and Favourites do). Now, whilst you're on this page, it will gather the information mentioned above. The page that you're reading at this very moment has gathered similar information (as outlined above!). It's all perfectly normal, happens on (probably) the majority of pages which you visit and is nothing to worry about.

If you read the information I have posted so far, you'll see that this information is gathered if - and ONLY IF - you press the related button. So, if you are really unhappy about this situation, don't use the "Related" button!

 

http://pages.alexa.com/company/index.html

alexa and alexa toolbar, are they the same? Spyware

 

Nope; they're very different animals. IE's Alexa component (if used) gathers no more information than an average web site whereas the Toolbar gathers (or may gather) the following (which is an extract from Alexa's PP):-

The full text is here.

I certainly would never use the Toolbar; it's far too intrusive for my liking.