Alexa Rankings to the rescue
Handy toolbar I recommend
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: Internet
I regularly get emails sent to me from websites that want free products to run as part of a "contest" or other promotion. We often do this kind of thing. But the first thing I do is make sure I'm on a computer that has Alexa toolbar installed and hop on over there.
The reason I do that is that Alexa's toolbar will actually display the numerical ranking of a given website. If it's ranked in the top 100,000 websites, it's very popular. So with it, I can quickly find out the relative ranking of a given website.
Now, spyware programs report this program as Spyware. That's because, technically, it is. The way it works is that it tells a master server what domains its millions of users have visited and that's how it compiles its rankings. But it's not Spyware in the negative sense, it's providing a valuable service to the net.
Give it a try for yourself. It has a serach bar in it too. It also displays related websites which is also very invaulable. So when I go to WinCustomize.com, it has links to Stardock, WindowBlinds, Deskmod, Skinbase, Deskmod, etc. all as part of the toolbar automatically because those are other sites that visitors here go to according to its user base.
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Reply #22 Thursday, January 20, 2005 2:45 AM
| It has a TAC (Threat Assesment) rating of "5" on LavaSoft's home page, which is up there. It mentions the reason it's classified as "spyware" is that it operates in stealth and that Internet Explorer "related links" feature does not disclose the use of Alexa.Link |
I think this is the link you were trying for.
I looked at LavaSoft and I am unimpressed. 3 of those 5 points against Alexa come under this:
| Malware is given three points automatically regardless of the stated behaviors listed below. All other intentional behaviors are given three points Determining factors Virus / Trojan Horse Connects to perform or aid in a DDoS (Dedicated Denial of Service) attack. Program masks as doing one thing, but does another. Use or creation of Tracking Cookies. Changes browsing results (browser hijack/redirect, replace text/graphics, opens random websites) Operates in stealth (Runs hidden from the user). Opens web sites not initiated by the user/unsolicited popups and/or requests to join a different site. Auto-updates without user permission and/or knowledge. Dials an unprompted or unauthorized Internet connection. Opens or Exploits a System Vulnerability. |
I have trouble with a ranking that makes no distinction between something being a virus or something using cookies. I have anti-virus software that would get that 3-point hit just for "Auto-updates without user permission and/or knowledge." The Google toolbar also auto-updates without warning, by the way. JoeUser uses cookies. Run! Purge your cache! Don't come back to this evil Mal-Ware Web App!
Sorry, I find that laughable.
Also...
| Operates in stealth (Internet Explorer "Related Links" feature does not disclose use of Alexa) |
...relates to Internet Explorer not the Alexa toolbar. I guess IE is spyware. Everybody better uninstall it!
And that's even more laughable. Hence, I find LavaSoft's rankings and advice laughable.
As for the other 2 point hit (that gets the negative ranking up to 5) -- they still refer to things you personally have to initiate. It's not something sinister that is being done to you. It's something you choose to take part in. Alexa goes out of their way to warn and get permission.
Frankly, Google should get at least the same Threat Assessment rating of 5, but I don't see them taking heat like Alexa. (Actually, for the truly paranoid, I think I could make a case for hitting Google in all the categories, both their toolbar and their website.)
Here's the thing -- LavaSoft as well as clwoods's software have an interest in selling you on the concept of spyware and what a huge problem it is. They are biased. They make money off scare tactics.
I'll repeat, in my opinion the Alexa toolbar is not spyware because it is not doing anything against your knowledge. It is not spying on you. You are sharing information with them because you choose to take part in their sampling program, the same way people choose to become a Nielsen Family.
| Third responds in a tired voice..."well, actually all we can discern from this is that at LEAST one of the Sheep in Scotland is black on at least ONE of its sides." |
How dare they quote me without permission.
Reply #23 Thursday, January 20, 2005 12:10 PM
| I guess IE is spyware |
It is!!! Thier own software removed the program from the system!!!
LOL
That reminds me, I have to re-install Alexa.
Reply #24 Thursday, January 20, 2005 3:39 PM
Reply #26 Friday, January 28, 2005 8:01 PM
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Reply #21 Thursday, January 20, 2005 12:38 AM
3 statisticians on a train from England to Scotland. They cross the border into Scotland...and in the field they see a black sheep.
First statistician exclaims...."All sheep in Scotland are black"
Second replies smugly...."No, all we can say is that at least ONE sheep in Scotland is black"
Third responds in a tired voice..."well, actually all we can discern from this is that at LEAST one of the Sheep in Scotland is black on at least ONE of its sides."