Via the excellent TamperData plugin I just noticed that my Firefox browser was sending a HTTP request (with a cookie!) to http://toolbarqueries.google.com for every page my browser loaded, even when the toolbar is not visible.
It is bad enough that a user interface component would remain active even when not visible, but even worse that it is silently doing so. And what’s that cookie for?
Isn’t it diffucult to trust a software vendor that produces a component like this, no matter how they justify what it is doing? Bad, invasive, sneaky, dishonest software. Uninstall the Google Toolbar (if you have it installed) by making it visible (briefly!), clicking on the Google logo on the toolbar, choosing Help and then Uninstall…
on 18 Oct 2006 at 12:19 am # Johnny K
That sucks alright. Here’s one though that is even worse. EA’s Battlefield 2142 is going to track your web usage so they can stick targeted ads into the gameplay.
Kotaku - Battlefield 2142 With a Dash of Spyware
on 31 Oct 2006 at 5:54 am # R. Mullen
Also, make sure that you uncheck automatic updates and exceptions that allow Google toolbar to update itself in add-ons, and check it again before you update any extensions, because it keeps checking itself even after being repeatedly told to uninstall.
“Don’t be evil…like Google.”
on 17 Apr 2007 at 3:59 pm # Simon
Your just being paranoid, yes I agree that a toolbar shouldn’t be active when deactivated. However what ever it does send is most likely important to providing you AND others the service.
Google is one of the best companies I have had to analyse, now if you want to bitch about someone write an article about the american telcos! Not only are they spying on you, they are sending that info to the government. At least google wont grass you up to the feds!