trippys
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posted on July 2, 2002 05:39:34 AM
Was just wondering if anyone else has downloaded and is using the new eBay toolbar. I did, and I like it! One great feature I'm using is under the "top picks" section and that's the USPS direct link. It's working pretty good for me and saving time!
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internationalgolf
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posted on July 2, 2002 06:10:50 AM
It is SPYWARE.
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JACKSWEBB
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posted on July 2, 2002 06:57:54 AM
PLEASE EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT THE SPYWARE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? THANKS.
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trippys
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posted on July 2, 2002 07:35:34 AM
I don't know why it got refered to as "spyware". I find it quite useful. It's an eBay toolbar at the top of your screen that goes with you no matter where you go. You can search, get a bid alert, a watch status button and has eBay's top picks like eBay Motors, Stores, Travel, half.com, USPS, and Google. It remembers your previous searches, too. Myself, I'm finding it quite helpful!
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 07:39:30 AM
Spyware tracks all your surfing on the net.
http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html
Why is it called "Spyware" ?
While this may be a great concept, the downside is that the advertising companies also install additional tracking software on your system, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.....
[ edited by kiara on Jul 2, 2002 07:40 AM ]
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trippys
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:13:27 AM
OOOPS! Then this is not a GOOD thing, this is a BAD thing! And here I thought I was doing a GREAT thing! Thanks! Really makes you think, doesn't it!
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BananaSpider
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:26:31 AM
I absolutely love the toolbar! It's such a great timesaver. Your really have to try it yourself to understand it's greatness. An example, I can search by item number right from my IE toolbar without visiting eBay first.
Spyware? I am running Ad-aware on windows startup and have not found anything in days.
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bidsbids
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:32:15 AM
I use to love Gator till I read all about its Spyware stuff and current lawsuits.
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americanpop
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:49:32 AM
Now could someone actually post a snippet of the eBay toolbar user agreement where it actually states they are collecting internet usage data. Providing a link to a page about spyware doesn't prove anything really. In fact a careful reading would indicate that the eBay toolbar is not spyware, primarily since it doesn't serve ads unless you consider watchlist reminders to be ads.
I'm using the toolbar and as well as a firewall and ad-aware spychecker and see no indication that this software is any more ominous than most. Caution is one thing, paranoia is another and then there's just knee-jerk eBay bashing to consider...
If you're really worried about being tracked you shouldn't use eBay at all since they track every click while you're actually on the site itself.
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:59:03 AM
americanpop 
Someone posted the word SPYWARE. Someone else asked what spyware was. I posted a link as to what it was.
Does ebay do it? I don't know for sure. Does anyone know?
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trippys
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:59:09 AM
GATOR? Can you provide a link so I can read all about that one? Like GULP! Thanks!
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:01:09 AM
http://www.cexx.org/gator.htm
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BananaSpider
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:07:48 AM
I've never used Gator. I remember reading about the spyware though. Bonzai Buddy too.
Again, I use Ad-aware found at http://www.lavasoft.nu/index.html and have not detected any spyware generating from the eBay toolbar.
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americanpop
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:11:01 AM
Kiara, my only issue with your original post is that it didn't make clear that there was no link. Just look at trippys posts so far and you can see that mentioning spyware, gator, etc. in a discussion specifically about this tool and not disclaiming a link just needlessly scares people that don't know any better.
I just hate to see someone stop using something that is helpful to them merely because a new and likely unrelated concept was introduced to them.
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sanmar
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:17:02 AM
Re: Spyware, According to an article I just read, There are so many software programs that contain spyware that it is almost impossible to eliminate them from your system. As far as Gator is concerned I have used it for over 2 years. The only place I don't use it is in my E-Trade account, because I can't buy or sell online with it.
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:23:56 AM
americanpop, I understand the point you are making and I should have been more clear. I guess not saying things on this board or making comments on a link means that you may be implying other things?
But I also think people should be aware of such things as spyware. And no, I don't think we can get rid of it all anyways.
Thanks also, BananaSpider.
[ edited by kiara on Jul 2, 2002 09:37 AM ]
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:50:48 AM
americanpop, perhaps you should be addressing internationalgolf instead of me because they were the ones to say SPYWARE.
Nowhere on AW's TOS do I read where I have to comment on a link when I post one.
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trippys
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posted on July 2, 2002 01:03:47 PM
Thanks, all! In any event, we like it and feel it saves time. Especially the postage link.
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:29:29 PM
If you check the ebay toolbar info you will find that it says eBay Toolbar powered by AtHoc
If you read the Privacy Policy at AtHoc you will find what happens with the info collected. I am not making judgments, just noting that some may wish to be aware of it. Nor do I bash ebay, they have always treated me well.
http://www.athoc.com/site/misc/privacyPolicy.asp#toolbarpolicy
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BananaSpider
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:36:33 PM
I read that earlier today. I'm not sure how much of that applies in this case since you do not have to register and it can not be customized.
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kiara
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posted on July 2, 2002 08:55:40 PM
Hello BananaSpider
I have no idea either. Perhaps someone else may know? I have a Google toolbar on my computer and I love it. It may very likely track info on me but I don't mind.
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BananaSpider
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posted on July 2, 2002 09:18:17 PM
Actually, you have a choice with the Google toolbar. If you turn off the advanced features under Privacy Information, it doesn't track or at least that what they say.
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alwaysbroke
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posted on July 3, 2002 09:18:20 AM
I like the new eBay Tool Bar so far. I just got my first reminders that auctions were ending in 10 minutes. I placed 2 bids which increased the final total that the seller would not have received otherwise. I did not win, but the seller made more money. I DO hope someone does this with MY auctions!!!!
http://www.sparedollar.com/sdGallery/usergallery.asp?uID=2261
http://www.sparedollar.com?ref=2261
lurking is not an option
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