New Jersey United States
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May 31, 2000
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Quote: Originally posted by truecritic on Sep 28, 2009
The only thing about using any Google software is the tracking Google does. I like to search with Google but that is the limit I accept because of their tracking.
It may not bother some to be tracked because it is not something visible. As it is, I see more and more targeted ads appearing on websites I visit. I don't like giving up what little anonymity remains on the Internet.
Ad companies mainly target by your IP address, not by anything "tracked". That is how they personalize the ads -- your LOCATION.
Installing Chrome or Chrome Frame does not add any tracking whatsoever.
I hate that I have to write this, because it makes me sound like I'm a spokesperson Google, but I can't say nothing because based on all the stuff out there people will believe what you're saying.
In other words, it is statements like yours that get non-technical people very concerned for no reason.
If you want to eliminate Google's ability to "track" anything, then stop using their search engine, because search engines are the main culprits in" tracking, and ALL search engines do it, not just Google.
New Jersey United States
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May 31, 2000
27,938 Posts Online
Quote: Originally posted by joker17 on Sep 26, 2009
I have IE 7 and was prompted to download an update but it wants to download a service pack 2. I'm a little reluctuant because I don't want a bundle of other things.
Is the svc pk 2 IE 8?
Also, do I have to have google chrome first in order to get Chrome frame?
No, IE8 is a different version, not a service pack.
It sounds like you haven't run Windows Update in a long time. You really should set it to run every night.
Sometimes if it has been a long time and more than one update to a product has happened since the last time, it shows both updates. If you select the IE8 update (highly recommended) then after it's done the IE7 update will be gone from the list.
If you set Windows Update to run automatically, you won't ever have to worry about that stuff.
United States
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Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 28, 2009
No, IE8 is a different version, not a service pack.
It sounds like you haven't run Windows Update in a long time. You really should set it to run every night.
Sometimes if it has been a long time and more than one update to a product has happened since the last time, it shows both updates. If you select the IE8 update (highly recommended) then after it's done the IE7 update will be gone from the list.
If you set Windows Update to run automatically, you won't ever have to worry about that stuff.
Thanks Todd,
Well I went ahead and downloaded whatever it was...
But the update was successfull. I now have the windows malicious software removal tool and a whole host of other security updates.
I've set the automatic updates for 3 am everyday, but I don't like to leave the pc ON all night because I'm afraid the heating will cause wear and tear over the years increasing the possibility of damage to the power supply or the mother board. I know there is an exhaust fan that keeps things cool. It's a brand new laptop but I think of it as preventative measures. I have 2 used laptops in my closet. One died from the mother board frying, and the other was probably a power supply issue. They were both old laptops. Over 5 years old.
I recently found a cool free program called "Glary Utilities". It basically does the job in the "Tools" "Options" section where you can delete the browsing history, cleans cookies, and other tid bits. But Glary has a few extra features like registry cleaner and antivirus scans, internet tracking eraser, among others all built into one for a quick clean up. I have registry mechanic from PC tools but this finds stuff that Registry mecahnic doesn't and vice versa. I highly recommend it. I got it from Kim Kommando's site so it's trustworthy.
New Jersey United States
Member #1
May 31, 2000
27,938 Posts Online
Quote: Originally posted by joker17 on Sep 28, 2009
Thanks Todd,
Well I went ahead and downloaded whatever it was...
But the update was successfull. I now have the windows malicious software removal tool and a whole host of other security updates.
I've set the automatic updates for 3 am everyday, but I don't like to leave the pc ON all night because I'm afraid the heating will cause wear and tear over the years increasing the possibility of damage to the power supply or the mother board. I know there is an exhaust fan that keeps things cool. It's a brand new laptop but I think of it as preventative measures. I have 2 used laptops in my closet. One died from the mother board frying, and the other was probably a power supply issue. They were both old laptops. Over 5 years old.
I recently found a cool free program called "Glary Utilities". It basically does the job in the "Tools" "Options" section where you can delete the browsing history, cleans cookies, and other tid bits. But Glary has a few extra features like registry cleaner and antivirus scans, internet tracking eraser, among others all built into one for a quick clean up. I have registry mechanic from PC tools but this finds stuff that Registry mecahnic doesn't and vice versa. I highly recommend it. I got it from Kim Kommando's site so it's trustworthy.
I agree with you, as far as laptops are concerned. With a desktop PC, conventional wisdom is to leave it on all the time, but with the changes in power consumption the rule of thumb on that is not certain. With a laptop it is definitely less "fixable" if something goes wrong, so you could go either way on it.
If you're going to turn it off (or put it to sleep) over night, just pick a time when it will be on during the day. Any time of day is fine.
The Malicious Software tool that you downloaded is a one-shot deal. Every month Microsoft adds a new version to the windows update package, and it runs once and then deletes itself. It's a one-time sweep of your PC using the most common virus definitions, and it gets updated every month.
All the other security patches that it downloads are the type that stay on your PC and guard against newly-discovered security breaches. The only computers that I do not set to "Automatic download and install" are servers, just because I like to control when they will reboot.
United States
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Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 28, 2009
I agree with you, as far as laptops are concerned. With a desktop PC, conventional wisdom is to leave it on all the time, but with the changes in power consumption the rule of thumb on that is not certain. With a laptop it is definitely less "fixable" if something goes wrong, so you could go either way on it.
If you're going to turn it off (or put it to sleep) over night, just pick a time when it will be on during the day. Any time of day is fine.
The Malicious Software tool that you downloaded is a one-shot deal. Every month Microsoft adds a new version to the windows update package, and it runs once and then deletes itself. It's a one-time sweep of your PC using the most common virus definitions, and it gets updated every month.
All the other security patches that it downloads are the type that stay on your PC and guard against newly-discovered security breaches. The only computers that I do not set to "Automatic download and install" are servers, just because I like to control when they will reboot.
I didn't know about the one time sweep and delete with the malicious software tool. Very cool and interesting.
Michigan United States
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September 24, 2005
1,583 Posts
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Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 28, 2009
Ad companies mainly target by your IP address, not by anything "tracked". That is how they personalize the ads -- your LOCATION.
Installing Chrome or Chrome Frame does not add any tracking whatsoever.
I hate that I have to write this, because it makes me sound like I'm a spokesperson Google, but I can't say nothing because based on all the stuff out there people will believe what you're saying.
In other words, it is statements like yours that get non-technical people very concerned for no reason.
If you want to eliminate Google's ability to "track" anything, then stop using their search engine, because search engines are the main culprits in" tracking, and ALL search engines do it, not just Google.
There is no reason to trust Google software based on what they do with data from their search engine and other information available on the net.
Yes, all search engines are now required to keep data for a period of time. Since the net isn't much good without a search engine, I said I was willing to accept Google's search policy. People should be concerned, non-technical or otherwise. I think anyone that isn't concerned about the spying that goes with the internet is naive.
6. Google's toolbar is spyware:
With the advanced features enabled, Google's free toolbar for Explorer phones home with every page you surf, and yes, it reads your cookie too. Their privacy policy confesses this, but that's only because Alexa lost a class-action lawsuit when their toolbar did the same thing, and their privacy policy failed to explain this. Worse yet, Google's toolbar updates to new versions quietly, and without asking. This means that if you have the toolbar installed, Google essentially has complete access to your hard disk every time you connect to Google (which is many times a day). Most software vendors, and even Microsoft, ask if you'd like an updated version. But not Google. Any software that updates automatically presents a massive security risk.