As a budding web publisher, I am learning about the ins and outs of supporting myself online. One thing that I came across for determining the ranking and/or value of a site for advertisers and such, is an Alexa rating. Apparently this rating is based in part on the number of times your site is viewed by people using the Alexa toolbar. I have tried a few times to install this toolbar, but even trying to download the freaking installer sets off my anti virus software into a barrage of warnings and detections.
This has happened to me in Windows XP and Vista, each operating system using a different brand of anti virus software. Apparently this toolbar is rather intrusive, as the other recommended toolbars I have tried have not created this nightmare.
I’m left wondering how the some of web publisher community can rely so heavily on such an apparent privacy nightmare, that it is a battle to get installed if one is running up to date anti virus software? Is this an indication of the level of lack of security/privacy concern that a site owners visitors have. If they are willing to run this software, they might install anything?
I have to admit, this Alexa rating being an important factor in the value of a site is leaving a rather bad taste in my mouth.
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5 responses so far ↓
Vinod // Jun 18, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Not sure about the Virus alert on Alexa toolbar install. I always use the ‘SearchStatus’ firefox plugin to see alexa traffic and PR.
Though I am not so convinced with the validity of the Alexa ranking per se, I must admit that, it is of great importance on site-evaluation - especially with paid review companies like reviewMe, PPP etc.
tovorinok // Jul 5, 2007 at 4:54 am
Hi
Great book. I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!
Bye
SysOp // Nov 2, 2007 at 3:33 am
That’s some funny commentary. The toolbar spys on the users browser habits and sends this data back to the Alexa server while operating in a “restricted” part of the browser. While this behaviour in it’s self nearly defines classic spyware, it also present the opportunity for malicious code to exploit local resources that would otherwise be protected. As far as “who’s using it” I bet it’s safe to assume there’s two main usergroups 1). those without a virus scanner (consisting of atleast a dozen people, maybe more) and, 2). those who realize how easy it is to skewer the Alexa results now that the only people left using it are the handful of people in the previously mentioned group.
maxiseo // Feb 22, 2008 at 4:46 am
Hi,
Yes Alexa toolbar is a spyware ..
agda3nas.com // Apr 20, 2008 at 7:04 pm
hello
antivirus think the toolbar of alexa is spyware
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