MyWay Searchbar's uninstaller.
MyWay Searchbar, also known as MyWay Speedbar,[1], MyWay Search Assistant, MyWebSearch or MyWeb Searchbar, is a spyware and search toolbar program that allows the user to query Google, Ask Jeeves, Yahoo!, and LookSmart search engines. HP and Dell[2][3] pre-install this software on some of their commercially sold PCs[4]. It is also bundled with some versions of Kazaa.[5] It is also a part of the FunWebProducts suite of utilities such as Smiley Central, Webfetti, Cursor Mania, My Mail Stationary, My Mail Signature, My Mail Stamps, FunBuddyIcons, PopSwatter, and Popular Screensavers. Because it tracks browsing habits, the MyWay Searchbar is classified as spyware and/or adware,[1][6][7][8] though Kirk Lawrence, former IAC Search & Media's Director of Internet Security and Privacy, denied it.
Design
Spybot warning on MyWay Searchbar
MyWay Searchbar attaches itself to the Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera[9] and Mozilla Firefox[10] browsers, adding search functions and pop-up blocking. MyWay also collects data about the user's surfing habits and sends it back to the MyWay server to tailor ads toward the user's interests.[5] MyWay is owned by IAC Search & Media (formerly Ask Jeeves) and was one of many properties purchased as a part of their acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings in 2004.[11]
As a Browser Helper Object, MyWay shares the memory that the browser uses and detects certain events, such as a new browser window. When a new browser window is opened, MyWay sends a configuration request that prepares ads according to visited sites. Browsing habits data are collected and sent to a central server, enabling MyWay to tailor advertisements based on the user's browsing habits.[2]
Spyware
Because of the way it is designed, some people have labeled it as spyware. The program may cause internet web browsers to sometimes crash. Mywebsearch explains that it is not spyware.
See also
Aliases
- Smiley Central
- Cursor Mania
- Popular Screensavers
- Zwinky
References
- ^ a b "MyWay Searchbar", Gooroo, Inc., http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/000062.html, 2004
- ^ a b Righi, Michael, "Dell Charges $49 to Remove Their Own Spyware", http://www.michaelrighi.com/2005/07/21/dell-spyware-my-way, July 21, 2005
- ^ Dotson, Anthony, "Ethics and "Spyware", Sandusky Computers, http://sanduskycomputers.com/editorials/spywareethics.php, June 28, 2006
- ^ LS CalamityJane, "HELP! My computer is infected! What should I do?", Lavasoft Support Forums, http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/lofiversion/index.php/t3403.html, September 20, 2006, 02:57 PM
- ^ a b Martin, Melissa, "MyWay Speedbar", Scumware, http://www.scumware.com/apps/scumware.php/action::view_article/article_id::1063294991/topic::Scumware,-Spyware,-Adware-&-Malware-Applications, September 11, 2003
- ^ "MyWay? Or TheirWay?", Spyware Info, http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/april-2003/24.php#myway, April 24, 2003>
- ^ "Fun Web Products "My Web Search" Removal Intructions and Help", PCHell, http://www.pchell.com/support/mywebsearch.shtml
- ^ "Chapter 6: TOP SPYWARE THREATS", PC Security News, http://www.pcsecuritynews.com/spyware_top_threats.html, 2003-2005
- ^ "Browser Support", My Way - Browser Support, http://info.myway.com/index/id/browser.html
- ^ Gray bar below status bar - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
- ^ IAC Search & Media, "Ask Jeeves Closes Acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings", http://www.irconnect.com/askj/pages/news_releases.html?d=57155, May 6, 2004
External links
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