Google Advisory

First off, let me say I DO NOT support so called software cracks. If you like a particular program then BUY IT! and if you like a particular Freeware program, make a small donation if you can, or want to.

With that said, a friend of mine pointed out something interesting to me the other day so I checked it out. I tried to get on a crack site with Google and got this message.

How long has this been going on? It's a good idea BUT do they do it for other sites that could do the same? Like porn, on line casinos . . etc?
And if they do, do you feel it might be infringing on some basic free speech laws, or other such things?
Just wanted to know how you all felt about it.

 

Yeah I think its a good idea (sort of). Problem I see is that basically Google could block access to whatever sites they feel like. Not saying they would, but the power is there. At least they still give you the choice to continue to the site but if I had a warning like that pop up I know I wouldn't continue. Moral of the stoy If you own a web site don't upset Google

 

How can it infringe on free speech if its simply warning you?

I think this is a great idea. Hopefully it cracks down on the monkeys getting infested by malware.

(No offense).

 

Incidently, I tried several sites, and got right through.

Is this a Windows thing?

 

I don't know, this is the first time I've noticed it. It could be something to do with IE7?

 

I take no offence. We don't go to these sites, it was just something he pointed out.

Like mgpower said it would stop a lot of people from going to certain sites. Why only crack sites? Porn and the like offer a service, if you like to call it that. They would lose $$ if this add drove people away from their sites. Thats why I was wondering if it infringed on any human rites issues.

 

Well, it rasies a lot of issues, expecially considering how some politicians are pointing out that a lot of internet Pron could constitute as prostitution, which is illegal in many a place in the US.

You pay, they provide you a service...etc.

Its all a grey area, but as long as Google allows you to view the site anyway...it seems like they are being civil about it.

Not to mention that it is THEIR web service, and they reserve the right to change it. Its not like they are truly blocking any sites, just simply blocking you from viewing it via their resources.

Thats perfectly legal. Not very nice...but legal.

 

http://www.stopbadware.org/

Sounds good to me. I'm guessing it takes a certain number of reports before they issue the warning.

 

You're right, it is just google. The message only comes up when I use the google search in IE7. I can get on by going directly to the site.

You are also right that it is google's choice and they do let you through "At your own risk" it just seems like a moral judgement on their part, which is perfectly fine by me, it just seemed a little oppressive. Orwellian for lack of a better term. Why only crack sites though?

How far will they take it?

 

Personally, I thinik that it is a good thing as the unexperienced who will go looking for stuff there and get their computers hosed.... did it once many moons ago.

I think a warning is a nice thing.

Just my $.02

~C

 

I didn't see this before I replied. Seems fair.

 

I agree. After reading the article and getting a better understanding of what they are trying to do it seems like a generaly good idea. Bundling malware with apps has always seemed unscrupulous to me.
Generaly people don't read the fine print and just "Agree" to terms without understanding they are setting themselves up. Still, I don't think they are breaking any laws by doing so. The warning is cool with me, I suppose.

 

I think google would have saved me from myself awhile back, I'm very curious an followed the link road to sites that I should not have been at. I would have gone anywhere to find an answer to my questions (was naive) b-4 I found this site an started reading. I catch myself doing it still, but am a lot smarter now, stop when I know I'm above my level of comfort and ask someone w/more experience.

What I am curious about is: do people actually herd/prod you to unsafe sites... it seems that one link would lead to another ref. then another... down the line, till ur at a site u have no clue about and ur firewall is having a fit. It seems almost intentional, user is distracted by trying to find the info, then ur where u should not be. I'm guessing if you know something about human nature, you could maneuver people to keep on clicking.

The amazing thing is that I'm not new to the internet, but was blind to the other side of it. Used my computer for work, email, IM, games for 15+ yrs now. I'm on the computer 10 hrs a day between work/home and was living in lala land.

Ya, I know curiosity can kill the cat! I try to curb my curiosity now.

 

So you have 8 internet lives left, good for you! I think people, especially teenage boys, will get themselves in trouble by accepting a download from any site if they have not asked for it. Same goes for spam e-mail, just get rid of it without even opening them. Just say NO!


I don't think that they herd people in but snag folk who are looking for 'stuff'. There's also driveby hijacks of your browser to serve up ads along with a lot of other crap. I think it's best to have an Anti-virus, firewall and anti-hijack software (all of which are free). One thing I personally found that as time went on, I got click happy and that got me into trouble before I learned the ropes the hard way.

The responsibility always sits between the chair and the keyboard.

 

You mention teenage boys. Isn't this the "Parental Advisory" fiasco all over again? Making young people more interested?

The responsibility does sit there. That was my original question, sort of, if you want to be careless and take certain chances, albeit dumb ones, isn't that your choice? Isn't Google sort of acting like they know better than you? Even though in this case, they might be right?

 

Not really any different than phishing filtering/warnings. Would be better to extend those built-in services for real protection. This is randomly effective.

Some ISPs in this country throw up big STOP signs/pages when visiting certain porn sites (Child porn). Child care organization and Police deliver information to ISP which blocks away. Still there have been objections about Big Brother etc. Arguments moved to another/higher level with nothing to do with Child porn - and so they appear to make sense. In reality no one suffer from attempts to limit free distribution of child porn... Sometimes I also think phishing protection in all browsers is too much but my little worry, not sure those prevented from being tricked say the same. As long as those filters are not too aggressive, and can be turned them off, they have to be a good thing. ISP filtering should be for certified illegal stuff only. They know this is delicate area and much more could be considered illegal but going after child porn as they do here is good place to start. Some have moved further, like ISPs in China and similar civilized countries - but just shows what to avoid and debate about filtering is needed. Must be transparent to public.

 

I have to say it strikes me as a good idea. Google was the place where my boy, when he was 14, got into the most trouble. The computer was in the dining room in plain site, I had set the filters as tight as I could, and he would wait until I was away to get into mischief, and trash the computer with Malware. I would then spend the next week off and on trying to fix it.

The sites that insist on allowing adware and malware NEED outed, the current ambush techniques they use are very sleezy and should have some reprecusions.

 

Google helping raise children? Would that be an argument against? :cool Goes on and on - and only good. Forgot to say that another site all ISPs now block is allofmp3.com! Child porn blocking is voluntary - allofmp3.com is forced by court and certainly give fuel to those who objects to any filters. Nazi methods, hypocritical, when to start and stop? and so on.

May be what really matters is these filters increase awareness of dangers, good practices even if not near foolproof and may be mostly showing intentions. Like traffic sign outside virtual world. All those not knowing will get to know and might protect them self better. An example could be child porn which you might "accidentally" get guided to when visiting "adult" sites! May be it make some think about that part of internet and their habits - if sites are connected (and they are) then what am I part of?