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Seems with the new toolbar going from beta to final they decided to push it onto all desktops.
Don't do this Google! Huge no-no! Can't you see all the flak Microsoft is taking for their automatic system update proposal? Don't touch my system without a warning and the ability to opt-out!
I was so surprised a company like Google would do an action like that. Very un-Google like.
I liked the old toolbar and I don't need any features in the new one. The old toolbar had a more compact layout since the search web button was integrated.
Now I have to rip out the v2 and reinstall the old one while blocking the auto-update.
It works by first assessing one's current mental processes ("Must boost Google rankings!") and remapping them with more sound and sustainable processes (e.g., "Must remember to wash behind ears daily!" and "Must communicate with son F2F instead of just over IM" and "Must turn off computer and seek out natural light" and "Must consume something other than Coke(tm) and Snickers(tm)")
Over time, Google will have slowly cultivated a cult of more productive citizens!
De-install your toolbar while you still can :O
It's easy to criticize people who voice out against the majority or in this case against a popular search engine(for the moment) a.k.a. Google.
The issue of this thread is not about 'if you don't like it then don't install it'.
Just some points to remember;
1. When users downloaded and installed the Google Toolbar, are they aware of this auto-update?
-a. It's in the FAQ - see msg #99 why that is not remotely possible before download.
-b. It's in the Toolbar Privacy Policy - let me quote it for you...
Periodically, the Google Toolbar contacts our servers to see if you are running the most current version. If necessary, we will automatically provide you with the latest update to the Google Toolbar.
If necessary, we will automatically provide you with the latest update to the Google Toolbar.
-c. Automatic update of 'other features' - version is not a feature.
2. Did the users have agreed to auto-update according to Google Toolbar Terms of Use?
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This is not about 'the software'. It's about security. It's about trust. It's about how Google treat you...us.
The big questions is...Why is Google doing this?
Because it cares about you or me? If that's what you think, fine. I thought, I was the naive one.
ActiveX control ID{8EDAD21C-3584-4E66-A8AB-EB0E5584767D}
codebase:http://toolbar.google.com/data/GoogleActivate.cab
which is dependent on 2 other components,
activate.dll
activate.inf
located in my C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files folder.
I wonder what are they for? Any idea? :)
I just pulled a copy of the cabnit file there. It contains the dll and the inf files you mentioned. The dll doesn't look unusual, except it imports one function (WinVerifyTrust) from wintrust.dll. Haven't seen that one before. All of the other imports look pretty run of the mill.
If I had to guess I would say it is the core of the toolbar (InternetCloseHandle, InternetOpenA, InternetOpenUrlA, InternetReadFile are imported from wininet.dll). Just a guess though.
Jordan
1. Download the non-activex 1.1.70 full installer
[b]win2K/winXP[/b]
http://toolbar.google.com/data/en/big/1.1.70-big/GoogleToolbarInstaller.exe
[b]win9x/winME[/b]
http://toolbar.google.com/data/en/deleon/1.1.70-deleon/GoogleToolbarInstaller.exe
2. In your firewall, for "[b]toolbar.google.com[/b]" block the phrase "[b]/version[/b]"
if you do not have a firewall, you can instead add this to your HOSTS file
[b]toolbar.google.com 127.0.0.1[/b]
however this is not as flexible and may block other desired features with the toolbar
3. Install the 1.1.70 version you downloaded and fine tune your options.
/claus
Directional vectors for the black helicopters.
Yeah, some even suggest that it can turn your Monitor into one giant video cam.
That would be great, only if Google would care to share how you look Steve ;)
