Google Toolbar, Safe Browsing, or McAfee SiteAdvisor?

[JRCATES]

I've been reading a bit about each of these here lately, and I'm curious which one others believe to be the "best" of these options: The Google Toolbar for Firefox (with Safe Browsing included and other features), the Google Safe Browsing extension for Firefox, or the McAfee SiteAdvisor.

OK, here's what I'm primarily looking for: I'll accept the Google "Toolbar", but would rather not have more of my browser window area occupied if possible. Also, I'd like to add one of these options for Internet Explorer as well, but not sure which can be. And lastly, are these "downloads", per se, that are browser specific, or can be used with different browsers (Firefox, IE, Opera, etc.)?

Thanks

[WSFuser]

both google toolbar and siteadvisor have separate versions (downloads) for IE and Firefox.

also SiteAdvisor (for Firefox) does not use a toolbar, rather it has a button in the status bar. The IE version tho, does use a toolbar iirc.

[JRCATES]

Thanks for that info, WSFuser. So in order to use McAfee SiteAdvisor for IE and Firefox, I'd HAVE TO "download" a version for Firefox...AND a seperate version for IE? :-\ And does it show in the "Add/Remove Programs" list, and if so, as two seperate entries (one for FF and one for IE)?

Also, which do you prefer or like the most? Seems that SiteAdvisor covers much more than Google (either the Toolbar OR the Safe Browisng extension)....but I'm wondering if the "Safe Browsing" exptension is similar to SiteAdvisor in that it doesn't "install a toolbar"?

[WSFuser]

{QUOTE-> So in order to use McAfee SiteAdvisor for IE and Firefox, I'd HAVE TO "download" a version for Firefox...AND a seperate version for IE? <-QUOTE}
yes
{QUOTE-> And does it show in the "Add/Remove Programs" list, and if so, as two seperate entries (one for FF and one for IE)? <-QUOTE}
iirc, teh IE version will have an entry in add/remove programs, but the Firefox version is an extension. you know how to uninstall extensions right?
{QUOTE-> Also, which do you prefer or like the most? <-QUOTE}
siteadvisor. i simply dont like toolbars.
{QUOTE-> but I'm wondering if the "Safe Browsing" exptension is similar to SiteAdvisor in that it doesn't "install a toolbar"? <-QUOTE}
i dont remember. all i know is that Google Safe Browsing is no longer available as a separate product, u have to use the Google toolabr now.

[dog]

JR -- I just installed Site Advisor to give you a few screenshots. :)

[dog]

& Highlighted Google results

[aigle]

Another option is firetrust SiteHound toolbar( it has free version) but I like SiteAdvisor most along with SnoopFree.

[JRCATES]

Hey, thanks for the screenies, Steve, and for that info as well, WSFuser and aigle.

Hmmm....well, it sounds pretty interesting and all. I'm a little confused about something that WSFuser wrote, though. Fuser....first, you said this:

{QUOTE-> The IE version tho, does use a toolbar iirc. <-QUOTE}

but then followed up with this:

{QUOTE-> siteadvisor. i simply dont like toolbars. <-QUOTE}

So were you referring strictly to Firefox, or do you know if the IE version uses /installs a toolbar as well?

As for the FF extensions, yep, I've got one currently installed at the moment (one, that's it ;D ). I may add the NoScript extension at some point, but it seems that I've heard just as much bad about it recently from practically as many users that praise it, so I'm still on the fence about it ATM.

I know that Google also has a toolbar for IE as well, but I'm thinking that if SiteAdvisor is NOT a toolbar (for both IE and Firefox), that may be the way I go initially. I may then add the Google toolbar later (if SiteAdvisor doesn't add one of it's own, that is). Sorry, Steve, thanks for the pics and everything, but I couldn't tell if that was a toolbar or not from that particular screenshot. Doesn't LOOK like it, but I couldn't tell for sure. :-\

BTW - anybody know if SiteAdvisor will or plans to stay free, or is it just a "trial period" type thing where they're gonna want cash afterwards ???

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> Hey, thanks for the screenies, Steve, and for that info as well, WSFuser and aigle.

Hmmm....well, it sounds pretty interesting and all. I'm a little confused about something that WSFuser wrote, though. Fuser....first, you said this:



but then followed up with this:

{QUOTE-> siteadvisor. i simply dont like toolbars. <-QUOTE}


<-QUOTE}
I think he means Google toolbar( not siteadvisor). Me too.

[Acadia]

I don't know about everyone else, but I absolutely love this McAfee SiteAdvisor. Finally, McAfee has done something right, ok, actually this was technology was developed at MIT and purchased by McAfee. By going into Settings you can have it scan Google, MSN, or Yahoo searches, like someone about posted an image of. This is the first time that I've ever known beforehand, that where I was going was reasonably safe. McAfee claims to have checked 95% of the sites on the Internet which at first I did not believe, but then I read somewhere, I don't remember where, how the "scanning bots" developed by MIT, are constantly combing the entire Internet, looking for the "bad guys". So far, very impressed, now McAfee, a word for you: YOU PURCHASED A GREAT PROGRAM, NOW DON'T MESS IT UP, ala Norton. :-\

Acadia

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> I don't know about everyone else, but I absolutely love this McAfee SiteAdvisor. Finally, McAfee has done something right, ok, actually this was technology was developed at MIT and purchased by McAfee. By going into Settings you can have it scan Google, MSN, or Yahoo searches, like someone about posted an image of. This is the first time that I've ever known beforehand, that where I was going was reasonably safe. McAfee claims to have checked 95% of the sites on the Internet which at first I did not believe, but then I read somewhere, I don't remember where, how the "scanning bots" developed by MIT, are constantly combing the entire Internet, looking for the "bad guys". So far, very impressed, now McAfee, a word for you: YOU PURCHASED A GREAT PROGRAM, NOW DON'T MESS IT UP, ala Norton. :-\

Acadia <-QUOTE}

Yeah, Acadia, I agree....BUT:

{QUOTE->
BTW - anybody know if SiteAdvisor will or plans to stay free, or is it just a "trial period" type thing where they're gonna want cash afterwards ??? <-QUOTE}

[dog]

{QUOTE-> Sorry, Steve, thanks for the pics and everything, but I couldn't tell if that was a toolbar or not from that particular screenshot. Doesn't LOOK like it, but I couldn't tell for sure. :-\ <-QUOTE}No toolbar just the status bar icon. ;)

From their IE Screenshot attached below - it seems the same for IE - No toolbar just the status icon. :)

I'd assume it'd remain free. :)

[Acadia]

No, McAfee will not remain free, eventually, you'll have to pay for it, and I for one, IF it continues to work this well, will glady pay to know beforehand whether or not a Google search link is safe or not. 8)

Acadia

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> No, McAfee will not remain free, eventually, you'll have to pay for it, and I for one, IF it continues to work this well, will glady pay to know beforehand whether or not a Google search link is safe or not. 8)

Acadia <-QUOTE}

I don't think that it would sell as a standalone. They're probably planning to incorporate it into a "Suite" of sorts, but for a standalone product, I just don't know that it has the merits to be worthy of much cash at all....especially considering that Google and other companies are innovating similar products for free! But I guess it's at least worthy of a try now, as long as it's free. ;)

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> No toolbar just the status bar icon. ;)

From their IE Screenshot attached below - it seems the same for IE - No toolbar just the status icon. :) <-QUOTE}

Thanks, DOG!!!*puppy* *puppy* *puppy*

{QUOTE-> I'd assume it'd remain free. :) <-QUOTE}

I hope you're right!!!:P

[dog]

{QUOTE-> I hope you're right!!!:P <-QUOTE}Nope - My assumption was wrong :( --- Acadia is right. ;) :)

{QUOTE-> 8. How do you make money? What's your business model?

We're developing premium versions of our software to be sold on a subscription basis. The current trial version of our software is available free of charge. Since Web sites can't pay for ratings, you can be sure that our ratings are objective and uniformly applied. <-QUOTE}From the FAQ (http://www.siteadvisor.com/press/faqs.html#q7) :(

[Acadia]

{QUOTE-> ....especially considering that Google and other companies are innovating similar products for free! <-QUOTE}
Zowieee, neat, do you have any links for these products, especially the Google one, thanks. 8)

Acadia

[WSFuser]

{QUOTE-> So were you referring strictly to Firefox, or do you know if the IE version uses /installs a toolbar as well? <-QUOTE}
yes i was referring to the firefox version. i rarely open up IE, so i dont pay much attention to software made for it.

siteadvisor does use a toolbar for IE but its very short. also IE lets u put the toolbar next to the address bar.

[JRCATES]

Well, I installed the Google Toolbar for both IE and Firefox. One thing, though.....during installation, WinPatrol alerted me to a new "Startup" program: GoogleToolbarNotifier. I allowed it, because it can be disabled or removed via WinPatrol....but I'm curious if this is really necessary to have as a "Startup Program"! ???

[WSFuser]

see this page (http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2006/07/google-is-your-default-search.html)

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> see this page (http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2006/07/google-is-your-default-search.html) <-QUOTE}

Thanks. That's interesting, Fuser....but what's your take on if it is "necessary"? I wasn't sure what to make of this statement in that article:

{QUOTE-> GoogleToolbarNotifier is a companion to the Google Toolbar. This executable is necessary to enable the Search Settings Notifier feature of the Toolbar. This feature lets you keep Google as your default search engine and prevents this setting (and others as we add new features) from being changed without your consent. <-QUOTE}

So is it basically a startup program that runs contantly in memory just to prevent the search engine from being changed from Google to MSN or another SE? ???

[JRCATES]

ALRIGHT...

This probably deserves a thread OF IT'S OWN.....

But I just installed the McAfee SiteAdvisor for Firefox....

AND NOW FIREFOX WON'T OPEN!!!

After seeing the extension listed and getting the message that the browser "must be restarted", blah, blah, blah.....the browser was closed - and I haven't been able to open it since!!! Either through the Start menu, or through Programs > trying both normal and "Safe Mode"!!! ???

Any idea what went wrong? Or what might be blocking Firefox from opening? Any suggestions???

P.S. - I'm using IE now to type this, since Firefox won't open....

[VikingStorm]

{QUOTE-> ALRIGHT...

This probably deserves a thread OF IT'S OWN.....

But I just installed the McAfee SiteAdvisor for Firefox....

AND NOW FIREFOX WON'T OPEN!!!

After seeing the extension listed and getting the message that the browser "must be restarted", blah, blah, blah.....the browser was closed - and I haven't been able to open it since!!! Either through the Start menu, or through Programs > trying both normal and "Safe Mode"!!! ???

Any idea what went wrong? Or what might be blocking Firefox from opening? Any suggestions???

P.S. - I'm using IE now to type this, since Firefox won't open.... <-QUOTE}
Is Firefox still running in the background silently? After McAfee SiteAdvisor restarted FF, some things were screwed up settings-wise, but closing and starting FF was normal after that all.

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> Is Firefox still running in the background silently? After McAfee SiteAdvisor restarted FF, some things were screwed up settings-wise, but closing and starting FF was normal after that all. <-QUOTE}

Hi VS,

No, actually SiteAdvisor did NOT restart FF. Firefox would not open!!! And I also checked the active processes during this problem, and Firefox was not one of them. I even rebooted the PC a couple of times to see if that would do any good, but it didn't....I still couldn't open Firefox in either normal OR Safe Mode. Since I didn't know what to do and am a bit impatient, I ended up doing a system restore which wiped out the Google Toolbar and McAfee SiteAdvisor, but corrected the problem. Firefox is now working like it did before all this mess (using it now to type this).

I don't know what got screwed up, but thought I'd just try a system restore and see if that would work to correct the problem, and apparently it did. I guess if I decide to try it again (downloading and installing the McAfee SiteAdvisor) I can or may. But for now, a working browser is more important than the SiteAdvisor extension :P

Think there would or could be ANY conflict with the Google Toolbar and McAfee SiteAdvisor???

[WSFuser]

only one way to find out: disable or remove the google toolbar and install siteadvisor. remember to backup your profile (folder) just in case.

u can also make a new profile and install siteadvisor then google toolbar. if they dont conflict then maybe its another extension.

[dog]

JR - Does this help at all? http://support.siteadvisor.com/support-center/index.php?mod_id=2&id=168&kb_rating=yes

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> JR - Does this help at all? http://support.siteadvisor.com/support-center/index.php?mod_id=2&id=168&kb_rating=yes <-QUOTE}

Hi Steve,

YES....I really appreciate that link. It definitely helped shine some light on the fact that this IS a "known" problem that is common for other users and is not specific to me.

I'm sure I'm gonna give SiteAdvisor a try again sometime, but first, I'm gonna reinstall the Google toolbar since it doesn't seem to cause any problems. I'm still not so sure about that "GoogleToolbarNotifier" STARTUP program, though! I'm thinking that it doesn't need to startup with the PC and run resident....since it isn't that big of a deal (to ME, anyway) if the search engine is changed to MSN. I've used Yahoo search in IE for years now without any problem like that!. Besides, WinPatrol will alert me to any changes to my IE home and search page. But I'm just not sure if this "ToolbarNotifier" is used EXCLUSIVELY for that purpose! What do you think ???

[tobacco]

Siteadvisor is known to cause issues with firefox. Had to completely remove it for Firefox to work for me again.

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> Siteadvisor is known to cause issues with firefox. Had to completely remove it for Firefox to work for me again. <-QUOTE}

How were you able to do that, tobacco? I couldn't even get Firefox to open once SiteAdvisor was installed...either by trying in normal OR "Safe" mode. So I couldn't go to "Tools > Extensions" and remove it! And I didn't see or recognize anything in the extensions file to remove, delete or uninstall the extension...that's why I did a system restore (which worked). But if you've got a simpler or more effective way, then I'd sure like to hear it....because I may give it a shot again at some point (which means I'll probably encounter this problem again at some point :P )

[tobacco]

In my case, i could open firefox for a few minutes before it would freeze up and stall which gave me time to uninstall that extension.

[tobacco]

Here's one from 'Comodo'. Still seems to be adding to their list but seems to check any site when it comes time to enter info such as Banking, Paypal sites.

http://www.vengine.com/

[bigc73542]

So far siteadvisor has been working well with my firefox 1.5.0.6 I haven't noticed any problems at all.

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> So far siteadvisor has been working well with my firefox 1.5.0.6 I haven't noticed any problems at all. <-QUOTE}

Hi BigC,

I'm running 1.5.0.6 as well, and while I'm glad to hear that you're not having any problems with it....I think your post may fall more into that "thanks for rubbing it in" category :P ;D

@tobacco - thanks for the link, I'll check it out :thumb:

[bigc73542]

Nope it is not a rub it in post at all. It was simply to state that siteadvisor doesn't have issues with all installs of firefox.

[WSFuser]

i cannot confirm that google toolbar conflicts with siteadvisor.

google, netcraft and siteadvisor are all working fine w/o problem.

its probably a different extension thats conflicting, JRCATES.

[JRCATES]

{QUOTE-> Nope it is not a rub it in post at all. It was simply to state that siteadvisor doesn't have issues with all installs of firefox. <-QUOTE}

Yeah, I know...I was just messin' wit ya. ;) From the link that Steve provided earlier, it sounded like it was simply an "unexplained and random phenomina/occurence".....::)

Hopefully they'll find out what causes it, and it will be fixed by either Mozilla or McAfee soon.....

[Acadia]

FF works fine for me to with SA.

Here is an article that explains what to do if having a conflict between the two:
http://support.siteadvisor.com/support-center/index.php?mod_id=2&id=168&kb_rating=yes

Acadia

[tobacco]

Here's a screenshot of 'Comodo's' Verification Engine. I like it.

[JRCATES]

There is talk that Comodo "MAY" change the way that VerificationEngine works/installs. Currently, it's a seperate startup program....but many people seem to be pushing for it to be more like SiteAdvisor, and install as an "extension" for browsers.

Speaking of McAfee's SiteAdvisor...they've got some pretty big problems that need to be worked out.

Remember how I downloaded the FIREFOX extension for SiteAdvisor, and Firefox wouldn't open? Well, last night, I tried downloading the INTERNET EXPLORER SiteAdvisor version.....and guess what? I COULD NOT OPEN FIREFOX! :blink: With NO Firefox SA extension installed, only the one for IE (which worked well, BTW). Really a shame, though, because I did like it quite a bit for the whole 10 minutes or so that I tried it....:-\

[JRCATES]

UPDATE:

OK, I've successfully installed SIteAdvisor for Firefox, and it's working now. For anyone who reads this thread and has been or does experience the same problem, here is the solution/workaround (courtesy of support.siteadvisor). I've added a little more detail, since their instructions were short, sweet and simple...but without very much detail:

If Firefox will not start after installing or updating McAfee SiteAdvisor...

Problem
I install or update SiteAdvisor then, when I try to restart Firefox, it will not start. I press Ctrl+Alt+Del and see that the "firefox.exe" process is running, but Firefox itself never appears. How can I get Firefox to start?

Solution
There is currently a conflict between SiteAdvisor and automatic proxy configuration scripts in Firefox. To get SiteAdvisor installed you need to temporarily disable your automatic proxy configuration script.

First, if you have already installed SiteAdvisor and Firefox will not start/open.....make sure there is no active process for Firefox listed in Windows Task Manager. If there is, kill it. Then open Firefox in safe mode and navigate to "Tools > Extensions"....highlight McAfee SiteAdvisor and Uninstall to remove the SiteAdvisor extension.

Now, to reinstall it:

1. Install SiteAdvisor from: http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ff_preinstall.html
2. Upon completion of installation, exit the extensions list window and Firefox
3. Start Firefox in Safe Mode (Start, All Programs, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode)) and change the connection setting (Tools, Options, General tab, "Connection Settings") to "Direct connection to the Internet"
4. Exit and restart Firefox (in Safe Mode); you should be prompted to accept SiteAdvisor's license agreement.

Now, just for good measure, I'll add and recommend this, since this is what I experienced. It may be different for others, but if anyone else encounters this:

{QUOTE->
Exit and restart Firefox in Safe Mode once again....because I did not the first time (at this point in the process), and ended up experiencing something a bit odd. When I first opened Firefox after installing SiteAdvisor, I was greeted with this little pop-up window alert:

Security Alert: Domain Name Mismatch

You have attempted to establish a connection with "dss2.siteadvisor.com". However, the security certificate presented belongs to "dss1.siteadvisor.com". It is possible, though unlikely, that someone may be trying to intercept your communication with this web site.

If you suspect the certificate shown does not belong to "dss2.siteadvisor.com", please cancel the connection and notify the site administrator"

I've discovered through some research discovered by others encountering this same alert (via Google) that according to the TrustDefender website, both dss1... and dss2... are rated as being trustworthy. I believe that they ARE, in fact, the same.

I then clicked "OK", and each time I've opened Firefox since then it's opened without any problems. <-QUOTE}

5. With Firefox still in Safe Mode, return your connection setting to your automatic proxy configuration, then restart Firefox in normal mode.

All should be good now, and in fact it's working for me fine now....but there was a little trial and error, as well as some uneccessary drama involved ::)

Here is the link that provided the details that I followed on how to install SA for FF....albeit they are the most desciptive (that's why I added the parts about making sure that Firefox wasn't an active process via Task Manager, the part about opening again in Safe Mode, or the "Security alerts"....):

http://support.siteadvisor.com/support-center/index.php?mod_id=2&id=168&kb_rating=yes

[PaulBB]

Ok, maybe i'm not such a expert but i don't understand one only thing:

- Why a lot of security pros recommend the Google crappy Toolbar ? It's a part of some kind of a conspiracy or what ??

- Let's take a look at the Google Toolbar features:

* Popup blocking - IE6 block popups, Firefox & Maxthon too...
* Enhanced Search Box - a enhanced search box ?? use Whonu (http://www.whonu.com/)
* Google Safe Browsing - what's safe in the web ? nothing, everything, ex: Softpedia is ''safe'' but you can download a ''Mega Booster Kazaa Accelerator'' from Softpedia and get some bad spyware. Safe browsing ? use your brain.
* Subscribe to Feed - Woawuu! I can subscribe to a feed! We are in 2007 and i can subscribe to a feed only using GT!
* WordTranslator - use Google Language Tools (http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en) or BabelFish (http://world.altavista.com/)

and more useless stuff..............Without talking about the privacy:

{QUOTE-> Google respects and protects our users' privacy. Periodically, the Google Toolbar's auto-update feature will contact our servers to see if you're running the most current version. <-QUOTE}

- How's called this ''feature'' in our poor people language ? We say about the X program that IS CALLING HOME

{QUOTE-> In addition, Google may collect information about web pages that you view when you use advanced features such as PageRank, SpellCheck, AutoLink, and WordTranslator <-QUOTE}

- May collect or does actually COLLECT where i go ?8)

{QUOTE-> Except for information sent through Toolbar for use with a separate Google Account-based service such as Blogger, we do not associate any of the information that Toolbar sends with other personal information about you. However, it is possible that a URL or other page information sent to Google may itself contain personal information. <-QUOTE}

- Another ''May'' ? We are in August, Google Toolbar Privacy....;D

{QUOTE-> We process your requests in order to operate the Google Toolbar. For example, by knowing which web page you are viewing, the PageRank feature of Google Toolbar can show you Google's ranking of that web page <-QUOTE}

- So, Google Toolbar DOES collect information about web pages that i visit.:wacko:

So i ask again the security pros why recommend GT? Want to know what exactly is the Google Toolbar ? Take a look (http://www.besttoolbars.net/examples.php), is a just a great way to get visitors back to your site, to advertise your site, to see which product the X user is looking for so next time Google can display a nice banner.. :gack: