PDF XChangeViewer with Tracker ASK Toolbar

If I understand this correctly, this is a separate issue from the Ask Toolbar already under discussion. This appears to refer to the web search capability built into PDF-XChange itself, not a toolbar added to a browser.

This is fully user controllable within the Edit|Preferences section. See the attached photo for clarification.

 

Solves that issue I believe

 

Yes HAN, thanks, I hadn't realised this had been there before latest version.
Anyhow, their connection to Ask puts me right off this software. I only want
a plain and simple(for me!!) PDF reader. Back to Adobe............!!
Thanks again.

 

Wrong. If you uncheck the two Ask boxes, nothing Ask Toolbar related is installed. I installed it using Sandboxie and monitored the installation with SandboxDiff and none Ask about was installed.

It isn't an issue indeed: it's the Search feature in X-Change Viewer; with that it allows to search words in the pdf document and to search in the web. It's a welcomed feature - not a bad thing. In fact there aren't any spyware on it. BTW, Adobe install Yahoo searcher (and toolbar) also... It seems that isn't a problem - only with Tracker...

 

Hi majoMo,
If you read the thread linked to post#9 you will see the problems (as some see
it) with Ask. I admitted I made a mistake in not seeing the search feature in
previous versions. We all make mistakes?
I have been happy with XChange viewer until this, and I wish it was offered
perhaps with different search providers.
The Adobe reader I installed earlier does not seem to have a Yahoo search,
and it wasn't offered during installation.
There is no issue with Tracker per-se, just Tracker+Ask.

 

Just downloaded the msi, installed and there was no ask toolbar bundled with it.

 

Same here, no Ask toolbar on the x64 msi.

 

Even if unchecked:
It tries to call home.
It installs two ASK toolbar registry keys.
A scan with jv16 found Ask.com installed / registered itself in software list.

To some, perhaps, but there is a thread on the Tracker forum discussing this issue where it has received nothing but contempt.

 

If anyone wants an older portable version (version 1.0 - build 31, december 28, 2007), let me know.

Been using that version for years, no problems.

 

Can't reproduce that here definitively. Monitored with ZSoft Uninstaller and the sandboxed installation with SandboxDiff.

I don't see the point. Search Provider feature can be disable easily: user can add customized search provider, remove or switch off this feature. See picture in HAN'post #26. BTW I read some posts in their forum (Search Provider feature about) and they follow-up many users suggestions.

 

My JV16 Power Tools also showed as BobD described.
For me the main issue of concern is the (IMHO) doubtful reputation of Ask.com
and the (for me) disappointment that Tracker has started bundling their toolbar
in, with the likelihood of snaring some inexperienced/unaware users.

 

More on the Ask.com toolbar, search engine invasiveness here, Note this list has been exhausted but shows how bad it has become

 

so any other choice for pdf reader without the risk of a toolbar?

 

I use Foxit. There is two way to avoid ask toolbar, either use a hips and block ask setup or during installation go to temp folder and delete ask setups. I think this will work for xchange and others.

 

Will using an outbound firewall to block it be enough to mitigate the threat or do the registry keys compromise the system in other ways?

 

Are you refering to the x86 or x64 installer? Does the x86 installer come with the toolbar? Thanks.

 

x86 msi

 

I grabbed the portable version. 1/3 the size of the install and no Ask toolbar.

 

wonder if there is any program that only extract the executable.
foxit and the others should release a slim version-without the ask toolbar
like ccleaner does.

 

Try the zip version here:
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/index.php

 

Thanks bman!

 

The portable version can also be installed on a pc right?

 

I prefer to install portable programs on my pc.

Means you can just delete the folder to remove the program, and copy and paste the program wherever you like.

 

they got this offer on download page
Note:For Enterprise customers who do not want the Foxit Toolbar and eBay icon by default, please contact Foxit at sales@foxitsoftware.com for a modified installation package of its free Foxit Reader.

 

Hmmm, portable programs really sound like the way to go. If I were to install a portable program in my admin account will it also appear in my standard account?