Hi All,
I tried to find this the other day when someone posted that Alexa wasn't listed as spyware.If you read the page it certainly sounds like Spyware to me.That is why Adaware brings it up when it does it's search.When I first read the article I just took a quick glance,but if you read what they collect,and what they do with it,I'm glad I took it off.Tuff

http://www.internet-tips.net/Tanstaafl/spyware_alexa.htm

Twice, in the past month, AdAware alerted me to ALEXA tag. After digging into the registry, I found that an Alexa key had found its way into my registry. I have never installed ALEXA, so I have no idea where I picked it up. AdAware alerts but does not automatically delete.gg

It comes with IE and re-installs every time you run IE repair. It doesn't automatically un-install it but you do have the choice to tell it to do it.

> AdAware alerts but does not automatically delete.gg

It doesn't? It removed Alexa for me.


Jim.

EDIT: Ok, so I had to click an additional button to do it - it's still pretty automatic. lol

Worked that way for me too,just hit continue and say goneeeeee :D ,Tuff

I still had to put a check in the box. :+

What is the latest version of AdAware?

Is Lavasoft done, can't seem to connect to their site?

Latest is 142 dated 11/24/01 on mine,Tuff

try connecting here
http://www.lavasoft.de/

Tuff...I also removed the Alexa entry flagged by AdAware but, I'm not certain it is "spyware".

The Alexa component installed by IE is not the same component referred to in the article. As I remember, if you actually used the IE/Tools/"Show Related" button, the Alexa window that opened with the related links would have a link to download the "full-meal-deal, toolbar, etc. I think this is where the real "spyware" comes in but, who knows.

I don't need it, don't use it, don't want it, so...it's toast.

>The Alexa component installed by IE is not the same component referred to in the article.

That is what Marti concluded in an earlier post.

I don't know if this is related or not, but I've been having problems getting to a few sites, even Jason's ToolBox. Page would start to load and then just stop without any error messages. The only thing I could remember that was different from the time that this started was that I had updated AdAware and removed the Alexa key. Did it everytime I ran IE repair, too.

OK. I ran IE repair, AdWatch showed an alert and I ran AdAware. This time I excluded the Alexa and left it in. Now all those sites come in just like they used to. Maybe a coincidence, but something worked. :-)

Interesting. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

Nope. My IE 6.0 works perfectly without Alexa.

Jim.

Dan,If you read that whole article it states that the component collects information regarding your surfing habits,and shares that info with others.It goes on to say that they MAY not identify you,but at times they do, so they can send ads etc.to users based on their surfing habits.To me that is spying,but that is JMHO,Tuff

That's right, Tuff...

But the article is referencing the Alexa Software (including, the toolbar, etc.) and makes no mention of the Alexa-provided component installed with Internet Explorer which, is different. I actually don't know if the IE component has any of the "spyware" potential or, not...all I'm saying, is the IE Alexa component is different than those characterized as "spyware" in the article.

I think it's generally agreed that the Alexa software is or has "Spyware" potential...the only question is, does this extend to the lesser component used as an integral part of IE. Even the AdAware moderator on their forum is uncertain regarding this...his position is essentially, "remove the entry to be sure".