Donna's SecurityFlash

Hi there, Melih

Maybe you need to correct first your EULA?  See 7.2 entry in your HopSurf EULA:

7.2.If you wish to remove and uninstall HopSurf from your computer, click on the "Start" button; then click on the "Settings" button, then click on the "Control Panel" button, then click on the "Add or Remove Programs" button, then look for "Ask Toolbar" and click on the "Change/Remove" button.

I'm not blogging false information.  That HopSurf Toolbar was made available to giveway with Ask.com search.  You don't earn a dollar when user opt for HopSurf Toolbar? If you don't... so why have Ask.com Search and hopsurf.com added?  Is it a coincidence that the presentation of Ask.com Toolbar installer is similar to HopSurf Toolbar?  Why not offer HopSurf without Ask.com search? Why the toolbar is the same as Ask? You see ... things are obvious to people who monitors or have seen this method of vendors like you who pushes unnecessary service/application in a security software.  The toolbar was developed, the toolbar or application was made available in partnership with Ask/IAC.  That's true, right? So why deny it's part of Ask/IAC partnership? Try offering it without Ask.com search and make sure no ID of it is Ask/IAC and maybe I will believe that I posted misleading information.

BTW, Melih... that method in developing a toolbar and adding Ask.com Search is the same method that Symantec and BitDefender have done.

It is disappointing to see security software vendors to spend time in developing a toolbar... just to have Ask on it.  Can't you provide security and privacy software without Ask?

Hi LaserWraith,

Mistake or not.  The Add/Remove Program shows HopSurf toolbar or not does not change the fact that this toolbar on Comodo products started to appear ever since they partnered with company that have questionable reputation because of spyware related software and it is flag by antivirus vendors as spyware/adware/PUPs.

Melih,

I did try your HopSurf and the feature of it.  It has Ask.com Search engine on it.  Why don't you release HopSurf without Ask. That will make me or others believe that you want people to enjoy your HopSurf and no third party involved?

Why not deal with you about Ask.com? You and other security vendors are pushing the so called new protection, feature because of Ask.  Is it necessary? No.  Is it a security feature? No.  What is it then? A feature that pushes your choice of search provider.  Do you hear that people do not want that search provider in a security software?

Few more things, Melih.

1.  People downloaded CIS because of the firewall and maybe the AV.  They did not download your CIS because of HopSurf or whatever toolbar you are pushing.  They can enjoy HopSurf without installing HopSurf but just install the bookmarklet or widget.  This method of including HopSurf in your CIS installer is an obvious push for a toolbar or unnecessary service.

2.  Your suddenly mistake EULA which you corrected or going to correct some more and the new EULA (in PDF) that you said the correct one should inform the people that before they will install CIS and HopSurf, they have to agree that you are using Ask/IAC search and that there is privacy issue in using Ask.com Search via your toolbar as IAC already said in their website: AskEraser will not work with any ask.com search done if Ask.com search is another toolbar.

Do not compare search provider in the browser because the browser is not a security software.  Try to sniff the connection while using Ask search and then sniff the connection while using others, do you see many third party servers that have the search info by people? You will see the privacy issue there.

3.  Why denying your partnership with IAC/Ask if you are pushing it via HopSurf? At least Symantec admit that they partnered with IAC and they admin that Norton Safe Web integrated IAC because of the partnership.  Admit it.  People decide whether to avoid HopSurf or not.  We, at Calendar of updates will not post updates for security software that includes unnecessary and unwanted add-on with Ask Toolbar, Ask search assistant, Ask engine due to security and privacy issues with their service.  All details in in www.calendarofupdates.com/.../index.php

4.  Stop saying that I or some others have no idea about certs.  You are not the only person born in this world to only know how certs work.  Stop educating me about certs because it's not about what is certs.  It's about who issued the cert to malware domains and if you continue to issue the cert.  Stop pointing fingers to other identity or service that is issuing certs because they know how to deal with reports.  They don't deny reports and they do not question the ethics of people who are voluntary reporting.  You want to blame MVP Mike for not reporting to you? As far as I know... he's been reporting to you since Winfixer days.  Your certs and Winfixer.  Your certs and other malware domains which until now happening.  

People check certs to make sure they are not phished or victimized by fraud/fake and malware domains.  If you issue certs to malware domains without checking, you are allowing malware/fraudesters to continue to victimized people.  Giving those bad guys the chance to use https:// protocol is under your responsibility.  Sure you revoke but only when it was brought up to you.  Imagine, since winfixer days... MVP Mike Burgess been reporting to you until he get fed up because you continues to issue cert to malware sites!  There is a phrase or saying "Once is enough, two is too much and so on."

5.  Stop saying in your forum that only Comodo is being grilled. Completely untrue.  We name others too if we something to mention.  

6.  You are spending too much time about how to push a toolbar and ask.com search.  You might want to focus or spend time in making your AV to hit AV-Comparatives.org test so you have more to show off.  

7.  When Microsoft plan to buy Clara, people is mad about the plan.  They were grilled too.  They listened. Did you?

Donna

Oh BTW, Melih. Tell your representative Katherine Hadow to stop spamming websites by spreading your press release about Comodo in many languages now.  Ms. Hadow sent me email via my website's calendarofupdates.com contact form.  Don't your company don't know where to publish the press releases of your company?

Your representative is sending your press release to other sites also: freewarearena.com

1. Right? that's why some people in forums has no idea why they have the toolbar.  You are talking about people in your forums only.  Look at other forums where people say they did not know that the toolbar have Ask on it!

2.  Of course, you got to update now because it was 'mentioned'.  Releasing a product before help files or EULA is released is an example of no push on toolbar, no?

3.  So you admit that you have partnership with Ask which is why you developed this toolbar for Ask.  Again, I would like to ask you:  Why not offer HopSurf toolbar without Ask?

4.  Let me repeat: It's not about what is certs and DVs.  It's about who issues to malware domains since winfixer days until now.  Don't talk about what are certs.  Stop issuing cert to malware domains and you will NOT see MVP Mike Burgess and others to mention your certs on malware domains.

(edit to add the word "not")

5.  Wow! witch hunt.  I'm involved in sharing and blogging what people need to know before they install software.  I voiced here in my blog what my members mentioned in my forum.  What's wrong with that? If something cool, free and nice, I blog.  If something bad, questionable, I blog. Is that witch hunting for you.  Melih, just say it's because your product is on the stove, you think it's always about your product which is not.  You happened to have service and product that have issue.  Clear the issue and you won't see any blog entry of mine about your products/services.

6.  Whatever testing you want to use but focus on your security software instead of pushing toolbar that is unnecessary and completely unwanted.

7.  You only immitated the strategy done by Symantec and BitDefender.  Create toolbar>integrate Ask because you want to push Ask search.  Developers are so flexible when it coems to ask.  Let me ask you again: why not offer HopSurf without search engine?

Yes users are at risk in installing toolbar with Ask.com Search or Ask toolbar.  See the details in that page on why they are at risk.  Security and Privacy details in using Ask.com search and/or Ask Toolbar.

Remember, that page in the calendar started when you guys are pushing Ask toolbar.  Now that you are pushing Ask.com search... that still covers it.

So nice to know though that you come here. Thanks for talking to me.  I'm happy though that there are many security vendors that continue to provide software that do not have unnecessary toolbar.

Donna

Vendors that do not offer Ask.com Search Assistant, Ask Search and/or Ask Toolbar:

1.  WinPatrol http://www.winpatrol.com

2.  VIPRE Antivirus + AntiSpyware, CounterSpy and Sunbelt Personal Firewall www.sunbeltsoftware.com

3.  Microsoft Security Essentials BETA and Windows Defender http://www.microsoft.com

4.  Outpost Firewall Pro, Suite, Free, AV http://www.agnitum.com

5.  Online Armor Free and Paid editions http://www.tallemu.com

6.  ESET NOD32 and ESS http://www.eset.com

7.  Kaspersky AV and Security Suite http://www.kaspersky.com

8.  AntiVir Free and paid edition http://www.avira.com

9.  Avast Free and Pro edition http://www.avast.com

10.  A-squared Free, Paid editions and Mamutu http://www.emsisoft.com

11.  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

12.  SUPERAntispyware www.superantispyware.com

13.  Spybot - S&D http://www.spybot.info

And many more which means people have great number of choices to have a software with clean installer.  No third party services.  Focused in improving their products and service instead of developing and pushing unwanted component with unwanted search provider.

Those type of security vendors, Melih are not being grilled because they do not have the unwanted third party search or any toolbar.

They understand that people want their software and not the search engine.  They know that most browser have built-in search provider already which people can remove or add if they like more search providers.  Can't you do what they do?  

Your HopSurf with Ask search assistant and engine is there because of your partnership with IAC.  You are pushing it because of this.  That's the fact.  People don't like it.  You continue to offer so be it but don't expect us to love what you love or like what you like. You want to push a toolbar with Ask, fine but don't make it appear that HopSurf is not another Ask or created for Ask.  Try to release that without any Ask and I'll believe you did not create that for Ask.

I don't expect people to agree with me but I will continue to voice anything that have concerns.  Some will continue to use your CIS because they like the firewall.  I do like your firewall and even recommended it for years.  Too bad, you went to other way and we're not joining you there.  There's plain and simple software without anything being pushed to us.

I forgot to respond to what you wrote:

"Be truthful and honest to your readers and do not manipulate the facts to suit your agenda!"

Isn't it you said that your users are educated?  They know what is wrong and right.  They can see the proof.  They can see that you continue to release certs to malware domains.  They can see that the toolbar have Ask on it.  They can see that it is bundled in your CIS even though it is not needed.

My agenda:  Staying away to security vendors that are pushing unwanted and unnecessary toolbar.  Mention in blog and in my forum if any vendor have added unwanted stuff on their installer.  Members in my forums are so helpful for adding more software titles that have added unwanted and unnecessary add-on in the installers.  They contribute their time and volunteer to keep everyone aware what awaits them if they download and try to install software like yours.

Edit to add:  I'm not the one who is not being truthful and honest but the vendors who push a toolbar not telling the truth and not being honest why they are pushing a toolbar.  I'm not the one telling people that the toolbar or service will help secure or protect the "internet".  I'm not the one fooling end-users.  Who wants more data of the people? The vendors like you who allow their private information be collected by third party thru your software or service.