Perion, IncrediMail’s other name, is notorious for bundled software – Smilebox and worst of all Sweet IM, announced today the release of a program to manage add-ons and extensions in browsers. This beats all! It’s like McDonald’s releasing a book, “The Guide to Healthy Eating”, or Bernie Madoff writing “How to Invest and Get Rich Legally”.
You have to hand it to Perion, when the fox is guarding the hen house, he will have plenty to eat. When we read this article (referenced below) we had to laugh. These folks have a lot of guts to release “Guardius” (Gaurdius? REALLY?) to protect you and us and the entire world from the evils of software bundlers. If anyone knows bundlers, it’s Perion. Smilebox and Sweet IM are notorious for bundling browser and search engine hijackers and toolbars. And IncrediMail Incredibar is a search engine and hope page hijacker — at the very least. Then there’s the IncrediMail browser? And the IncrediMail search engine.
And if it’s not bad enough that Perion had the guts to release Guardius in the first place, how about the fact that Guardius is “crowd-powered” (Oh, my, we really love that!). Yes, indeed, folks, they’re going to guard your browser using the failed methodology of WOT, who allowed their crowd-power browser “site-rating” app’s ratings to be run by a handful of thugs.
We know that word of Perion’s greatest new ruse “Guardius” will spread like wildfire and if you haven’t heard about it yet you will. Remember, you were warned. Right after you install Guardius, go hire a fox to guard your hen house.
Here’s part of the press release from Perion:
“TEL AVIV, Israel & SEATTLE — Perion Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: PERI), developer of Incredimail, Smilebox, and other leading software tools and services, announces today the beta launch of Guardius by Perion, a powerful app enabling a better and faster browsing experience, and increased browsing privacy and protection, powered by the wisdom of the crowd.
Guardius by Perion accomplishes this by enabling users to manage and control the numerous add-ons and toolbars that have been installed on their web browser. This app has been running in a closed beta, and is today being offered to the public by invitation only. During the limited beta phase, the app will be completely free for beta testers.
Many free software services today come bundled with browser add-ons and toolbars that, while providing a variety of services, can create performance issues. Over time, it can become difficult for users to manage all the apps that have been added to their browser, resulting in slower performance.
Based on the wisdom of the crowd, a concept that takes into account the collective opinion of a group of individuals, Guardius by Perion enables users to reclaim their browser speed with an incredibly easy-to-use utility that helps them understand which add-ons and extensions are slowing down their browser and are most often disabled by others, providing additional input regarding possibly unwanted add-ons…”
Oh yes, you want to read it all, we know you do… click here to read the rest of this. Let’s see if you can keep your jaw from dropping, we couldn’t.
Smile, smile, smile.
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Just when we thought we had seen it all… Amazing! And the sad thing is, many computer users will be taken in by this new scam, especially those who do not have Darcy and TC to keep them informed. Thanks for the ‘heads up’ about this.
In this week’s “Premium” you had a ‘complaint’ from “Joan” that she had paid over $300 to have her PC fixed & blamed you. Mentioned in your answer you commented she might be using a wireless mouse and wireless keyboard.I also use both of these on my desk top. Is there a reason I shouldn’t be using this wireless mouse & keyboard?Thanks for all your info & time you two take, every day, to help old people like me!!I owe you everything I know, even tho I will never remember it all!Take care…
If I recall correctly, she paid some scam company $300 to fix her computer and messed it up more. What a shame since you can buy a new one for that.
As far as wireless mouse and keyboard, I couldn’t be without mine. There is nothing wrong with using them and now-a-days it seems to be the norm. There is no security issue if that is what you mean, and as long as you keep your battery charged and/or change batteries when you notice things like a skipped letter or hesitation, you are fine.
Darcy
Are you going to work with eMail Client in adding letters, etc.?