NS6 gives AOL trusted access via IE

Date: 14 Mar 02 14:43

I found this thread on the netscape6.windows Newsgroup:
snews://secnews.netscape.com/netscape.netscape6.windows

The information is, that by installing Netscape 6.2.1, the install places free.aol.com in IE's Trust Zone. If you wish to read the thread:
What Bologna... NS6 gives AOL trusted access via IE.
If this link doesn't work for you, the thread is dated MON, 3/11/02, Poster is BAJ

My Version is from SillyDog701, so I'm sure Antony was not aware of this anomaly in the install. I just wanted to get the information out, so that you can remove the above from your IE trusted zone.... i.e. if you wish to do so.

Personally, this is unacceptible. Even though I do not use IE, this is an infringement on my privacy. It is my PC, and what is placed thereon will be my choice, and not that of MS, AOL, or any other software concern. (Now stepping down from my soapbox.)

Am I missing something here, or is this contradictory to my earlier thread: AOL and Mozilla's Gecko - So Long IE? Guess AOL needs to get its act together!

Ramona

 

So are you saying you don't trust AOL?

I don't believe the superior Mozilla exhibits such behavior...


tranquilo

 

So are you saying you don't trust AOL?

Moi?

I don't believe the superior Mozilla exhibits such behavior...

 

Well I did note this in the "AOL dumps IE" article you left Ramona... let's hope this is an... eeerrrmm, "temporary" thing...

Also it's about the AOL browser or whatever you call that thing using Mozilla... Netscape does too, but I suppose they'll always be separate entities...

I still think it's a good sign that AOL is at least interested in using the browser they own... more or less...

I gotta tell ya... I sure wouldn't miss all those "ya gotta have IE or forget looking at this place!" sites...

 

More on this issue from a Netscape Champion

snews://secnews.netscape.com/3C96A4A1.2000508@BugOff.net

Subject: <<< The Search "Spyware" Issue >>>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 20:38:25 -0600
From: Jay Garcia
Organization: Netscape Champions
Newsgroups: netscape.netscape6.windows

Ok, folks, here is my "take" on the subject of the Search "Spyware" issue. My opinion is based on facts gathered from informed sources both inside and outside the system.

It's one of those stupid marketing things where they go ahead and do what engineering has told them not to and it comes back to bite 'em in the butt.

From an outside sniffer's point of view the data flows into Netscape. Netscape does not keep it or store it, but they certainly could and there's no real way they can prove they don't. You have to trust them, and people are far less willing to trust AOL than they were the old Netscape.

Still, it *is* something that could be abused if people don't trust Netscape not to abuse it.

The basic issue is that search engines have made deals to be included in N6, and apparently Netscape needs to track the amount of traffic for each as part of those deals. By routing them through a redirect on the NS site they can count the traffic. Another tack could have been to add query terms or hit a redirect on the *search engine* site and trust them to tell Netscape the number. Or simply not make deals based on traffic.

Should you worry about it? No.

Are you going to be able to convince people of that? No.

Marketing is looking into:

1) Short term updating the license/privacy policy to explicitly say they don't track this

2) Longer term seeing if Netscape can re-work their deals to avoid having to do this.

--
Jay Garcia - Netscape Champion
Novell MCNE-5/CNI-Networking Technologies-OSI
UFAQ - http://www.UFAQ.org


Ramona

 

Ramona,

There is something to be said for communication. If it's simply a glorified counter, then just say that from the outset, rather than allow the rampant speculation that happened.

Anyway, its up to each person to decide whether they trust AOL, and what can be done in their own situation if they don't trust them, such as avoiding the integrated search...


tranquilo

 

There is always more than one way to skin a cat. . .

tranquilo,

You are so on target!

I have a Search folder on my Netscape Personal Toolbar, in which resides several Bookmarks for search engines. I'm certain other experienced users could list other ways to avoid this issue.

Ramona

 

You're most welcome!

Well heck, Tony, who would have thought to look in IE? Surely it didn't dawn to me to check there, especially as I rarely open the browser. I think that we will have to be on the alert 100% of the time.


Ramona

 

Yes, who would think to look in IE for altered security settings after installing Netscape. Yet another reason to log all installs with Incontrol 5 or something similar, to avoid such unwanted behavior.

tranquilo

 

Yes, who would think to look in your trusted security zone after installing Netscape. We all know that favorites are one thing, and the trusted zone is another. AOL is not trusted by me, and it shouldn't be there unless I put it there.

Of course, I haven't had much trouble with IE since I removed it some time ago...lol. Strangely enough, IE works perfectly now!

 

Tranquilo

*groan**...
I bet it does!!

For myself... I never hit the NS search button... I use www.37.com

Access to every search engine I could want...