Enhanced by Google ?

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by CloneRanger, Feb 15, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. CloneRanger

    CloneRanger Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2006
    Posts:
    4,978
    I know Scroogle are continually having problems scraping Google, so how is SP able to do so without the same/similar issues ?
     

    Attached Files:

    • g.gif
      g.gif
      File size:
      29.8 KB
      Views:
      907
  2. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2004
    Posts:
    7,076
    Good question! :) Maybe they pay/are a partner? Maybe it just means they have a bot doing searches on Google and ripping/using those results to add/improve their database?
     
  3. Function

    Function Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    Posts:
    76
    Location:
    UK
    I have no clue what scraping is. Could someone explain to it to me please?

    I do use Start Page and I am able to search what I normally search on a day to day basis. I don't see any issues with it so far. I have been using it for around 2 weeks.
     
  4. Carver

    Carver Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2006
    Posts:
    1,910
    Location:
    USA
    I don't know what EBG means, I don't think I would use Google as a Start page through.
     
  5. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    European Union
    You could check the "Details" link just below "Enhanced by Google"... :)

    Later edit: if you don't have scripts enabled for the startpage.com, you will not see the Details link.
     
  6. CasperFace

    CasperFace Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2010
    Posts:
    200
    Basically, it means using an automated process to fetch/gather data (in this case, search results) from another web page.
     
  7. inka

    inka Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2009
    Posts:
    426
    scroogle intends to scrape/harvest data in bulk, as an automated process
    (which clearly violates Google's stted TOS)

    ixquick, et al, do not interact with Google in an "automated" way.
    Their interaction is the result of a live user entering a search query.
    Still, I'm inclined to believe that Google must be granting a "favor" to ixquick ~~ allowing a continual bulk volume of queries from the ixquick server(s).

    L'il old me, by visually skimming through Google search results pages
    (attempting to figure out how to more accurately phrase my query)
    (perhaps -negated words/phrases will lower the irrelevent noise)
    ... I've been "slapped" and the page displays a warning like "You are searching too fast. We think you might be a bot. Try again later." Geez, I'm not even presented with an opportunity to jump through a reCAPTCHA hoop.

    So, if Google is giving ixquick a bye, leads me to wonder why?
    How the heck do we KNOW that ixquick preserves our privacy?
    Ah, because they say so. Yep, must be true -- I read it on the internet.

    Has any group ever audited ixquick to certify the ixquick representation?

    Honeypot?
    Hey, if you're concerned about what we might find in your baggage...
    ...you should use the "special" (wink) security checkpoint, over yonder.
     
  8. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    European Union
    Actually it doesn't matter too much. I know Google tries to track me (it's their business to do so, and my intention to stop them), but I don't know for sure Ixquick will track me. So I have to choose between someone who tracks me and someone who might track me - guess who I will choose :)
     
  9. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Posts:
    3,430
    Location:
    Surrey, England.
    http://searchengineland.com/scroogles-gone-heres-who-still-offers-private-searching-112275
     
  10. JimboW

    JimboW Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2010
    Posts:
    280
    Both European Privacy Seal and Certified Secure. Scroll down to Ixquick Warranties. https://www.ixquick.com/eng/protect-privacy.html
     
  11. inka

    inka Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2009
    Posts:
    426
    Took a while for me to find my way back to this thread.
    Jimbo, thank you for the heads-up!
     
  12. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    European Union
    I was using Startpage.com a lot lately, and I found out that it is giving me some search results personalized to my language. Ixquick.com doesn't do that. While I don't think that this a big privacy risk, I wanted to point out that Startpage.com probably sends geographical info to Google. Again, this is not necessarily bad, but if you want "generic" results, you should use ixquick.com (same company behind both).
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.