New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware
Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user.
Fake browser
Yeah, it’s just 264K addon to Microsoft Internet Explorer that beginning programmer would easily make. More quality and useful soft based on IE exist, like Maxthon, ex MYIE.
Btw, do you notice that developers blocked the context menu in browser? It hides the standart IE menu.
And tiny experiment at the end. Start Browzar. Input query “intitle:phpinfo()“, open any page titled “phpinfo()“, search page for “HTTP_USER_AGENT” and you’ll see:
In my case it was “Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; MRA 4.4 (build 01348))“, your result can differ, but anyway it will be distinctive MSIE data!
I think, developers will change useragent value in next version 
Adware
After starting, Browzar shows its’ homepage, and these settings cannot be changed. Homepage offers to “Search the Web…”, but gives weird results from weird SE. I input “del.icio.us” and got that:
Really odd results, “Delicious at Amazon.co.uk“, “Find Delicious on eBay“…
Attention to status bar!!! You’ll see links to… www6.overture.com. Overture is well-known PayPerClick-SE!
It’s no wonder that search field on browser toolbar operates via Overture too.
Conclusion
There was time when badware developers tried to install ad pages as homepage or searchpage in user’s IE by any possible means. Nowadays users install adware voluntarily and write news about it. True web2.0 style!
Update 1:
shii from reddit.com wrote interesting comment:
Alright, I just downloaded it and I’m too lazy to write a blog review, so here:
- No way to use Google. You must use Browzar’s spyware search engine.
- Browzar sends all usual computer info; it is no more “private” than any other browser.
- Apparently supports ActiveX.
- Claims to support cookies as well.
- Fails popup ad test suite.
So basically, this is the world’s simplest IE shell. They didn’t bother to write a cache or history function and they call that a “feature”, but they don’t modify any of the IE settings.
Update 2:
1. Enter IE, go google.com, logoff if necessary, close IE
2. open browzar, go google.com, autheticate with your gmail account
3. close browzer
4. open IE, go google.com…. still authenticated!!!perhaps it needs some more debugging.
Update 3:
Browzar™ does not completely protect your privacy.
Browzar™ is in fact a browser that makes use of the Internet Explorer core.
Browzar™ inherits of any problems Internet Explorer might have.
Browzar™ permits access to anyone that wants to restore your history, cookies or temporary internet files from the dark corners of your disk.
Browzar™ doesn’t take care of securely deleting history, cookies or any other temporary internet files in order to be unable to recover them.
Browzar™ doesn’t take care of making the file names unsignificant.
Browzar™ is not ready to be deployed on public computers.
Update 4:
BBC published an explanatory article “‘Adware’ attack on privacy tool“, in which Ajaz Ahmed denies the fact its’ browser contains aggresive advertising. To those who want to use other SE, it recommends to input name of SE and query in toolbar. Interesting, what when it made search bar in the browser for? More likely, an unwarned user would use the Overture-feed.
P. S. I hate spyware, badware, malware, adware, worms, viruses, keylogers. I recommend you to use antiviral and spyware remover software!
User said,
September 1, 2006 @ 3:27 pm
wait. So they use the User-Agent of IE and show you ads for searches on their start page. Why is this bad? the User-Agent is IE’s user agent. Why is that ‘distinctive’?
As I understand it, its a wrapper that clears out cookies and url history at the end of every browsing session. Its free - so they make the home page their home page and show you some ads. Doesn’t sound as bad as you make it out to be.
samlowry said,
September 1, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
It’s bad, because Browzar is positioned as _browser_, not an addon.
It’s bad, user is cheated and getting ads instead of search results.
Munan said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Not to mention it’s simply underhanded and false. They’re relying on people’s stupidity and paranoia to make money.
It’s in very bad form.
samlowry said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:26 pm
Agree!
wally said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
This is why sites like digg, reddit, etc. are dangerous. Crap can easily be posted and everyone thinks its legitimate.
Keith L. Dick said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
Interesting info…
Thanks for sharing…
Riley said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:55 pm
I tried Browzar for about 10 minutes and became frustrated when it repeatedly reverted my typed-in URLs to its homepage.
I thought it was just buggy put perhaps it was fullfilling its design objective…
Given its otherwise very limited usefulness — browsing especially toxic Web sites — I deleted it after my initial attempts to make it do useful work…
Way said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
Their own FAQ indicates that IE is required for it to run.
The minimum requirements for Browzar are: Windows 98 Second Edition (SE): and Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5.
CMC said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:09 pm
“With Browzar you can search and surf the web without leaving any visible trace on the computer you are using.”
Clever marketing bullshit. It does leave visible traces, eg url history in IE’s index.dat file. Just not visible if you don’t know where to look.
“The freedom to surf the web with complete privacy” - Thats taking an IE wrapper with no autocomplete feature some distance…
austin said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:14 pm
If you look next to the search result in green text it says (Sponsored). Once you click through to the second page of results, they aren’t sponsored anymore. That’s how they plan on making money, since people generally only use the first page of results.
samlowry said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:20 pm
austin, all links providing Overture.com. All links is Overture advertising.
New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware » News around the World said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:46 pm
[...] Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user.read more | digg story [...]
KAZ said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:46 pm
That Browzar is a scam makes perfect sense, because they’re targetting anyone gullible and paranoid enough to be worried about cookies and such, and tech illiterate enough to not know they can simply turn off these settings in IE in the first place.
That’s what people get for being self-important about their web-browsing experience. Like anyone REALLY gives a rat’s ass what sites you’re looking at.
Scott said,
September 1, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
“#
wally said,
September 1, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
This is why sites like digg, reddit, etc. are dangerous. Crap can easily be posted and everyone thinks its legitimate.”
Ugh, get a clue. It’s human stupidity that causes everyone to think it’s legit, not a site. It’s like shooting someone, then blaming it on the gun. The fact that “crap can be easily posted” that should be enough of a warning that you need to use discretion. Stop trying to blame stupidity on things other than the stupid person.
John said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:10 pm
Perhaps they need to be reported to Overture to have their account cancelled and any funds nulled.
Browzar : naviguer sans faire de traces. at Bigeau Blog said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:12 pm
[...] MAJ: ATTENTION: apparemment browzar ne tiendrait pas toutes ses promesses d’apres ici , là et encore par là . Et voila je me retrouve comme un con avec mon enthousiasme… anonymat, browzar, navigateur, privacy [...]
Randy Jensen Online Blog | randyjensenonline.com/blog said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:14 pm
[...] I just read about a new internet browser called Browzar earlier today. Since I was at work all day, I had to wait to try it out. For once, I’m glad I was at work. Later in the day, I read another article “Browzar Is Fake and Full of Adware“. [...]
Once a private browser now spyware? =O « Pekays Ramblings said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:24 pm
[...] From the afternoon, Digg had a story the browser “Browzar” saying you could browse oh lets say “what are the symptoms of pregnancy” without being caught. Now another story on Digg shows is just fake and full of adware. Being build just using a IE wrapper and just some style added and some edits. Link 2. Explore posts in the same categories: Uncategorized [...]
Browzar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. « Veritas Vos Liberabit - The Truth shall set you free said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:31 pm
[...] I was surfing on Digg and came across this post. Scoble mentioned Browzar briefly earlier this week. [...]
Scott Hanselman said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:36 pm
Well, it’s decent enough idea, but it does leave some traces.
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ANewPrivateBrowserIMeanBrowzarDoesNotWorkAsAdvertised.aspx
I think using a FireFox extension would be easier.
Dane Elwell said,
September 1, 2006 @ 7:58 pm
http://reddit.com/info/fypg/comments/cfzom
Could I just point you back to Reddit at this comment. I’ve sent in a… complaint? I recommend you do the same with a link to this article.
Thanks.
Leif K-Brooks said,
September 1, 2006 @ 8:26 pm
“It’s bad, because Browzar is positioned as _browser_, not an addon.”
Browser != rendering engine. Do you also think that Firefox isn’t a browser because it uses the same rendering engine as Mozilla (Seamonkey)?
Andreas said,
September 1, 2006 @ 9:11 pm
Firefox and Mozilla both use the same rendering engine called Gecko. They are both bundled with their own rendering engines and therefore considered browsers.
This program is a crap IE add-on full of adware. I don’t know why people are trying to defend it.
Geoff said,
September 1, 2006 @ 9:19 pm
Er, yes this is junky crappy software. But its just as much a browser in its own right as Maxthon is. Maxthon uses the IE rendering engine… Though Id definitely use Maxthon over IE for its superior features. Then again, if I was using Windows Id use Firefox.
Priit said,
September 1, 2006 @ 9:39 pm
Come on. If it can browse the Web (wven as insecure as this) it’s not NEWS and it’s ceritainly not the NEWS. It’s abullshit and go jerk off. PLEASE. Do domething right.
“Secure” Browzar Full of Adware » The Geek Gene said,
September 1, 2006 @ 9:48 pm
[...] If you’ve heard any good word-of-mouth about about a supposed secure browser called Browzar, then beware. Apparently, it’s fake and full of adware. [...]
Pianohacker said,
September 1, 2006 @ 10:04 pm
Why do I find it ironic, after wally’s comments, that this article was posted at reddit?
Shii said,
September 1, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Except that “Browzar” was not put on the front page of Reddit. Wally’s comment is the ironic one– the Browzar article was posted to the BBC News website, then this article debunking it was put on both Reddit and Digg.
http://crabapple.cc said,
September 1, 2006 @ 10:14 pm
New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware
I seemed to good to be true. And it was.
“Your private window on the web” « frosti said,
September 1, 2006 @ 10:25 pm
[...] via Web3.0log [...]
Techcrunch » Blog Archive » Is Browzar Just An Adware Machine? said,
September 1, 2006 @ 11:33 pm
[...] Today Web3.0log went to that additional effort to actually test the product, and wrote a post called “New Secure Browser Browzar is Fake and Full of Adware” where they proceeded to rip the product apart on a feature by feature basis. [...]
accelzone - techie weblog » Is Browzar Just An Adware Machine? said,
September 1, 2006 @ 11:48 pm
[...] Today Web3.0log went to that additional effort to actually test the product, and wrote a post called “New Secure Browser Browzar is Fake and Full of Adware” where they proceeded to rip the product apart on a feature by feature basis. [...]
links for 2006-09-02 [MacStansbury] said,
September 2, 2006 @ 12:46 am
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware I love being right. (tags: adware badware browsers malware spyware web2.0) [...]
Xenomorph said,
September 2, 2006 @ 12:58 am
ok, i know this doesnt make Browzar any less lame, but it can be modified to use the start page YOU want, and the search engine you want as well (to an extent).
as a proof of concept, im hosting a zip file with 2 versions of the Browzer Black EXE. both use Google as the search engine. one uses Google as its start page, and the other uses my site as its start page.
i have the file here (i may update the page at a later date with other stuff as well):
http://xenomorph.net/browzar/
This is Scary said,
September 2, 2006 @ 1:39 am
This is outright scary.
IF this is NOT spyware, I don’t know what is.
I wonder how Yahoo (Overture) allows it to be their ad supplier.
Shame on you Yahoo !!
rxbbx - news, gadgets and other fun stuff » Browzar, Private Browser said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:08 am
[...] There are several discussions going on about Browzar. It seems some things don’t work that well: New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware [...]
Browsar: Adware disfarçado de navegador que protege privacidade - Techbits said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:23 am
[...] A licença de uso do Browsar diz que é freeware. A página de download do software diz que não contém spyware, malware ou adware de qualquer tipo. Ok, pode ser que seja verdade. Mas ao usá-lo, percebe-se o golpe. A página inicial, que não pode ser mudada, é do mecanismo de busca do próprio Browsar. Ao fazer qualquer pesquisa os resultados são anúncios, em sua maioria. Golpe sujo! Não há distinção entre o que é resultado normal ou propaganda. E as propagandas são da Overture, empresa do Yahoo! Search Marketing. Ou seja, é um adware disfarçado que conseguiu ganhar manchetes na mídia. [...]
李杰的博客–LiJie’s blog II » Blog Archive » Browzar–最大的adware 李杰的博客 said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:37 am
[...] Browzar, 号称绿色浏览器，但是有人发现了问题 [...]
duncanriley.com » If Browzer is bad, isn’t Yahoo! as well? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:43 am
[...] Looks like the Browzar browser might be a bit dodgy, with Techcrunch and the Web 3.0 log reporting that it’s actually IE in disguise + it’s what they claim as “adware”, because the browser utitlises Overture for search results and it’s near on impossible to change away from Overture. And yet Overture is 100% owned by Yahoo!, isn’t it? [...]
國生三年才開始 said,
September 2, 2006 @ 3:01 am
Browzar is FAKE
這整件事透著怪啊 @_@
前兩天有人推出了一個叫 Browzar 的瀏覽器，號稱小而美、強制不存 cookie、history 和 auto-complete、不需安裝就可以直接使用，看起來是個不錯的選擇，在 Bruce Schneier 老大的…
Das CIO Weblog said,
September 2, 2006 @ 3:05 am
Browzar: Anonym im Web surfen
Wer im Web surft, hinterläßt auf seinem PC Spuren. "Obwohl es bei den bestehenden Internetbrowsern möglich ist, Historieordner zu löschen und Caches zu leeren, so hat doch die Mehrzahl der Internetnutzer nicht die Zeit oder das Wissen, das zu …
Alice Hill's Real Tech News - Independent Tech said,
September 2, 2006 @ 3:31 am
Oh No, There Goes Tokyo, It’s Browzar
By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
File this in the review first, test later category. Recently Infoworld profiled a new Web Browser Browzar, which sounds more like an enemy of Godzilla, saying that is leaves no footprints. In the …
gHacks tech news said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:21 am
Browzer not so good after all
Browzer was widely reported as a web browser that takes privacy and security serious. It seems most websites that “tested” browzer did not do their homeworks and parotted instead what the developers of browzer were claiming. The first thing…
KtecK Blog - Syndicated » Blog Archive » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:30 am
[...] Read more here… [...]
Drijfzand - Lekker zompig » Blog Archive » Nieuwe browser of goedkope scam? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:35 am
[...] Maar hebben we niet te vroeg gejuicht met de komst van dit vernuft? Nu.nl meldt dat inmiddels bestaat het vermoeden dat de Browzar helemaal geen browser is. Het zou gaan om adware, waardoor het na installatie niet meer mogelijk is om Google te gebruiken. Je zou alleen nog gebruik kunnen maken van Browzar’s eigen zoekmachine die vol spyware zit. [...]
xenosDesign. » Blog Archive » Browzar, The New ‘Secure’ Browser. said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:46 am
[...] Find out for yourself: New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware [via Web3.0Log] [...]
Marc said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:56 am
Nice job folks,
This is why is I like open source software
Firefox rules baby
Feel » Blog Archive » Is Browzar Just An Adware Machine? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 5:23 am
[...] Today Web3.0log went to that additional effort to actually test the product, and wrote a post called “New Secure Browser Browzar is Fake and Full of Adware” where they proceeded to rip the product apart on a feature by feature basis. [...]
Eghie said,
September 2, 2006 @ 5:28 am
I have created a secure browser from Firefox Portable 1.5.0.4, using some extensions and the blackbox search enginge. Here you can download it: http://rapidshare.de/files/31659231/Secure_Firefox_Portable.zip.html. It’s only for Windows. If you want it for an other OS, like Linux you have to install the extensions on your own.
Beta Alfa 2.0 » Browzar bluffar? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 5:30 am
[...] Eftersom inte startsidan går att ändra menar andra att programmet inte är något annat än ett reklamprogram, eller ett så kallad adware, för att promota Browzar självt. [...]
Eghie said,
September 2, 2006 @ 6:04 am
I have also the extentions uploaded, for the users which use an other OS, so they can also secure their versions of Firefox. Here you can download them: http://rapidshare.de/files/31663441/Firefox_Extensions.zip.html
The security, languages and search engine’s (Zoekmachines (why did I name it in dutch?)) are installed on the portable Firefox version I build, except for the trustwatch anti-phising plugin, because it scans every site you search for, and that could be an inpact in your privacy, if you care about it though. Therefore I made it optional. It could be quiet handy for beginners though.
Also I’ve included some Developer plugins, because I am a developer and these I’m going to intergrate in my version of it and put it on my USB disk.
Please mirror these things, because I don’t know how long Rapidshare is going to hold up.
Zonder Dank » Blogarchief » Opgepast voor Browzar said,
September 2, 2006 @ 6:08 am
[...] Lees meer hier (in het Engels). [...]
domelhor.net said,
September 2, 2006 @ 6:20 am
‘Browzar’ falso e contm spyware
O ‘Browzar’, supostamente um browser seguro, no passa dum pequeno plugin para o Internet Explorer que instala adware.
Technoblog.org » Blog Archive » Is Browzar Just An Adware Machine? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 6:57 am
[...] Today Web3.0log went to that additional effort to actually test the product, and wrote a post called “New Secure Browser Browzar is Fake and Full of Adware” where they proceeded to rip the product apart on a feature by feature basis. [...]
Caroline said,
September 2, 2006 @ 7:29 am
I have hacked this to default to google.com and and google search engine.
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=37955
WASTE P2P » Blog Archive » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
September 2, 2006 @ 7:34 am
[...] read more about it here.. [...]
L O G O S » Blog Archive » Browzar: anonimato en la navegación said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:07 am
[...] Última noticia sobre el tema (02-09-2006): parece ser que no es oro todo lo que reluce [...]
links for 2006-09-02 — 7 seconden — Cuiusvis hominis est errare said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:19 am
[...] Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware (tags: browser spyware adware) [...]
Browsar Portable Web Browser : Surf with Privacy said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:31 am
[...] Update: WEb3.0log says that Browsar is fake and full of adware. Liked this article? Then grab our feed and get new posts instantly in your news reader, or get updates via email in your inbox or track with Technorati. Related Reading Privacy Screens Filters : On Screen PrivacyPortable Firefox on USB DriveGhostzilla : Blended Discreet Web Browser for Surfing at WorkEmbed Bitty Web Browser on Your Web SiteYahoo Tracks Your Privacy by Web Beacons [...]
Wad said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:13 am
Browzar™ does not protect your privacy.
Browzar™ is in fact a browser that makes use of the Internet Explorer core.
Browzar™ inherits of any problems Internet Explorer might have.
Browzar™ permits access to anyone that wants to restore your history, cookies or temporary internet files from the dark corners of your disk.
Browzar™ doesn’t take care of securely deleting history, cookies or any other temporary internet files in order to be unable to recover them.
Browzar™ doesn’t take care of making the file names unsignificant.
Browzar™ is not ready to be deployed on public computers.
Browzar™ allows someone with basic recovery tool to access your cache even if you shut down Browzar.
French article with some english conclusions: http://wadihacommunautique.blogspot.com/2006/09/browzar-efface-t-il-toutes-vos-traces.html
Bas said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:21 am
Browzar gets a 10+ from me.
I agree with user:
User said,
September 1, 2006 @ 3:27 pm
wait. So they use the User-Agent of IE and show you ads for searches on their start page. Why is this bad? the User-Agent is IE’s user agent. Why is that ‘distinctive’?
As I understand it, its a wrapper that clears out cookies and url history at the end of every browsing session. Its free - so they make the home page their home page and show you some ads. Doesn’t sound as bad as you make it out to be.
Wad said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:28 am
Just bear in mind that somebody can always completely or in part recover your history, cookies and pictures you viewed with Browzar.
It protects you against your mom and you little brother maybe, but not someone that wants to incriminate you.
Browzar - A piece of crap wrapped in a press release » The PC Doctor said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:57 am
[...] Web3.0log [...]
Lazycoder » Secure browsing from a flash drive said,
September 2, 2006 @ 10:16 am
[...] Anyway, the premise behind Browzar is that it will delete any footprints you leave behind when you browse. Apparently that’s not the case and there are reports that it does a LOT of stuff you may not want it to do. [...]
goudaille » Blog Archive » Browzar, une arnaque ? said,
September 2, 2006 @ 11:15 am
[...] lire: Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware par Olivier Niquet, le 02 / 09 / 2006 Mots-clés: utile, web 2.0, société de l’information document.write(”); 0 [...]
TechnologyFrog » Blog Archive » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
September 2, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
[...] Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user. Full Story [...]
Scam in Libertarian Clothing « St. Louis CofCC Blog said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:08 pm
[...] Hold on to your Jeffersonian horses, though. The “Web 3.0 Log” has exposed it as not only an Adware/Spyware scam, but also as a difficult and very unflexible Internet Explorer shell application, complete with all of IE’s exigencies. [...]
David said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:46 pm
All this rant (and raves) about a browser with no footprint. Hasn’t anyone ever heard of Torpark?
Reviews here and here.
ansemond.com » Blog Archive » Browzar solves the wrong problem said,
September 2, 2006 @ 2:54 pm
[...] So… the no-cost commercial privacy browser Browzar is adware. Of course it is. That’s how you make money on free things. The real question is why people buy its privacy story. [...]
Browzar - a stinky browser with adware » Coolest Gadgets said,
September 2, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
[...] Via web3.0 and Tech Guardian Blog [...]
r said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
So that’s how the pictures of the Naked Madonna got on my computer.
grumpyoldfart » I keep getting redirected to French sites said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:34 pm
[...] Today I read that after some testing this so called browser is little more than an Adware machine to serve content from overture. Big slap on the wrist to the BBC’s Teck section for falling for and promoting this junk. [...]
blackpig said,
September 2, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
If hiding your browsing history is so important, then use a bootable Linux disto such as ubuntu. Press reset and nobody but you and your ISP knows where you’ve been!!
TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » Browzarは単なるアドウェアブラウザか？ said,
September 2, 2006 @ 6:43 pm
[...] 今日（米国時間9/1）、Web3.0logは実際にこの点について追加テストを実施し安全なプラウザの新製品Browzarはニセモノだ。アドウェア満載という記事を掲載し、機能別に徹底的に調査している。 [...]
mnt said,
September 2, 2006 @ 7:43 pm
Was my first thought from the beginning. A real no-embedded browser in
Tom said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:00 pm
May be a coincidence, but after installing this piece of *****ware, Windows Explorer became unstable, I couldn’t see the running executable in Procexp (but could in Task Manager), showed other root-kit tendencies, not visible in explorer.exe but can be seen by other folder viewers. Up to date XP build, latest virus updates, firewall and windows defender all show no problem, but with explorer.exe buggered, I’ve had to reinstall XP. Something fishy …….
jsaltz said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:42 pm
Bah. This is an abomination. IT AIN’T GOOD. ’nuff said.
Kletskous Kattekop » Blog Archive » De eerste Russische miljonairsfair said,
September 2, 2006 @ 8:56 pm
[...] Inmiddels bestaat het vermoeden dat de Browzar helemaal geen browser is. Het zou gaan om adware, waardoor het na installatie niet meer mogelijk is om Google te gebruiken. Je zou alleen nog gebruik kunnen maken van Browzar’s eigen zoekmachine die vol spyware zit.” [...]
Browzar-Private window on the web : 时光漫步 said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:15 pm
[...] 但是，这里似乎说了很多不好的地方。 [...]
Austin Murphy said,
September 2, 2006 @ 9:48 pm
Thanks for the information! Check out my post here with screenshot.
Browzar: Adware disfarçado de navegador que protege privacidade - Techbits said,
September 2, 2006 @ 10:28 pm
[...] A licença de uso do Browzar diz que é um freeware. A página de download do software informa que não contém spyware, malware ou adware de qualquer tipo. Ok, pode ser que seja verdade. Mas ao usá-lo, percebe-se o golpe. A página inicial, que não pode ser mudada, é do mecanismo de busca do próprio Browzar. Ao fazer qualquer pesquisa os resultados, em sua maioria, são anúncios. Não há distinção entre o que é resultado normal ou propaganda. E as propagandas são da Overture, empresa do Yahoo! Search Marketing. Ou seja, é um adware disfarçado. Ninguém percebeu e o Browzar ganhou manchetes na mídia. [...]
Search Engine WEB said,
September 3, 2006 @ 2:04 am
Most geeks who downloaded this understand that Browzar has to make some sort of profit.
Those who are aware of this software are probably savy geeks who want to try it - it is possible that many of the bugs will eventually be worked out and some compromise reached.
learnvb said,
September 3, 2006 @ 2:52 am
Want to create a browzar like browser? Very simple, goto MSDN.com and download the free version of Microsoft Visual Studio (includes Visual Basic for free).
1] Open Visual Basic and click file>new. Goto Forms>Add form>Webrowser. Click ok.
2] A new form is added, goto Tools>Options> click on the listbox for startup form and ensure that form2 or the webbrowser form is selected. Click ok.
3] Hit F5 or click the run button (play button). Now you have your own Browzar like security browser. Market it and sell it - don’t worry it’s exactly the same, less the GUI.
Nuudelisoppa » Browzar: kusetusta said,
September 3, 2006 @ 7:53 am
[...] Web3.0login mukaan se ei ole edes pahinta: Browzar pakottaa selaajan käyttämään omaa, kaupallisesti vääristeltyjä tuloksia antavaa hakupalveluaan. Kyse on siis ilmeisesti vain silkasta turvallisuushysterialla ja tietoteknisten taitojen vajavuuksilla ratsastavasta rahastushuijauksesta, joka osui ja upposi moneen uutispalveluun ihan täydestä. [...]
bah said,
September 3, 2006 @ 8:08 am
it doesn’t even add any new features, i have no idea why this has got any media attention, just shows how little they know about tech i suppose. all u have to do is change a few settings in IE and u have the same ‘protection’. or if settings are too hard for you, use firefox and Stealther extension.
no ‘geek’ would use this, as they are pretty aware of being able to change settings..
links for 2006-09-03 « Breyten’s Dev Blog said,
September 3, 2006 @ 8:50 am
[...] Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware “There was time when badware developers tried to install ad pages as homepage or searchpage in user’s IE by any possible means. Nowadays users install adware voluntarily and write news about it. True web2.0 style!” (tags: advertising spyware malware browser browsers) [...]
Andrea Giuliani said,
September 3, 2006 @ 11:46 am
[...] Decido di fare una ricerca su Technorati, giusto per capire cosa ne pensa la blogosfera. Il risultato: tutti sodisfatti del browser leggero che garantisce privacy. Ma mi cade l’occhio un post intitolato New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware, caspita sembra uno dei pochi pareri discordanti. Leggo veloce il post, guardo l’immagine di riferimento ed voilà, il tranenno è venuto a galla! Dalla status bar si nota che il motore di ricerca del browser, e quindi anche quello dell’homepage, quando effettuate una ricerca vi mostra una serie di risultati che in realtà sono tutti sponsorizzati da Ouverture! [...]
Alex said,
September 3, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
Great write-up!
enetweb » TopShare : news dalla rete #8 said,
September 3, 2006 @ 2:49 pm
[...] [Upgrade] 03/09/2006 at 20.45 pm Trapelano le prime controindicazioni a riguardo di Browzar : per dovere di informazione segnalo il test eseguito che rivela molte vulnerabilità a livello sicurezza . [...]
UNEASYsilence » Ouch! The Browzar “browser” is adware?! said,
September 3, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
[...] This will teach us not to jump to conclusions trusting every browser that happens to make its way on to the front pages of every major blog and tech site on the net. According to Web2.0log, the “secure” browser “Browzar” - previously mentioned on UNEASY - is a fake and full of adware. Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user. [...]
doctorvee » Browzar on the back foot said,
September 3, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
[...] At last, BBC News have removed that effusive story about the highly dodgy Browzar software. I almost complained to the BBC about it yesterday, but luckily I didn’t need to. Today they’ve replaced it with a new, much more probing story. [...]
Steve said,
September 3, 2006 @ 5:36 pm
A bit of a hasty report, although the design of Browzar is very minimal, it has a somewhat attractive interface, and my search results are as accurate as google. So if there is some ”adware”, it hasn’t affected me in any way at all
Andres said,
September 3, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
It’s bad. The only good thing is the dark theme. It’s cool. I hope I can find that dark theme for firefox. (I’m writin this using Browzar, haha, is the first page I’ve visited using it after a search in google). I’ll delete Browzar immediately. Thanks!!
Navegador Browzar es adware en Entregeeks said,
September 3, 2006 @ 10:09 pm
[...] Durante esta semana, apareció un “navegegador” web que prometía total privacidad a la hora de visitar sitios web. El nombre del santo navegador es “Browzar”. Leí su lanzamiento en muchos sitios en internet, algunos muy famosos y concurridos. Pero estos sitios terminaron promocionando un adware/spyware. De un principio no quise publicar nada acerca de él, ya que leí que usaba el motor de Internet Explorer. Entonces dejaba de ser un navegador web. Pero en Web3.0log nos dicen que no era sólo eso. Al instalar Browzar, éste fija como página de inicio a una página de búsqueda con el logotipo de Browzar, y esta configuración no puede ser modificada. Si hacemos una búsqueda, en este caso, Web3.0log decidió buscar a del.icio.us, el resultado son sólo links patrocinados (fíjate en el enlace de color verde, dice Sponsored). En la barra de estado se ve un enlace a Overture (www6.overture.com). Estos son enlaces que pagan por click, entonces ya imaginarán qué sucede. Increíble ver a tantos sitios grandes de la web como eWeek, BBC, Wired o infoWorld promocionando adware. Así que si alguien lo instaló, piénsalo y toma una decisión. Comparte este artículo con el mundo: [...]
Browzar: Trygg nettleser var bare juks? @ teknotum said,
September 4, 2006 @ 2:17 am
[...] Nå er den avslørt som reklamevare — og ikke var den særlig trygg eller privat, heller. Det måtte en blogger til — som faktisk testet programmet først… [...]
epds - enlightening pixels design studio » Blog Archive » ブラウザもどきにご注意 said,
September 4, 2006 @ 3:13 am
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware [...]
olof schröder said,
September 4, 2006 @ 6:39 am
found this string inside the .exe file
“BrowzarSMDIDocÿÿÿÿInternet Explorer_Server” and sevral urls to “usertrust.com”
Salazar said,
September 4, 2006 @ 7:45 am
Absolute crap!. You are not forced to use their search facility, you can use google or yahoo if you want. You’ll still be hit with sponsored linking, just not theirs
It’s merely an aid to to potecting VISIBLE traces of where you’ve been, it doesn’t pretend to offer total anonymity from forensic investigators. It’s a tiny piece of code, a stand alone executable, that offers some protection for naive users - not hardened hackers.
It has no more adware in it than firefox or opera does
IT Blogwatch said,
September 4, 2006 @ 7:52 am
Browzar is ++ungood (and peek into future)
Yowzar! It’s IT Blogwatch, in which Browzar launches and bloggers point and laugh. Not to mention a worrying peek into the future of programming…
Maroc IT Blog Sécurité » Blog Archive » Un navigateur Internet gratuit qui permet une navigation privée et protége les données personnelles. said,
September 4, 2006 @ 8:37 am
[...] Mais attention quand même, il y a des propos à son sujet qui me laisse perplexe sur sa légitimité!!! [...]
Gustavo’s WebBlog » Navegadores: Browzar , otra mentira Norteamericana , ¡para variar! said,
September 4, 2006 @ 8:55 am
[...] Este pequeño programa de 264 Kb en realidad no es un navegador independiente sino una “subcapa” de Internet Explorer. Y sus 264 Kb se contentan con ocultar, sobretodas las cosas, los menues habituales de Microsoft y de poner en vanguardia el motor de esa casa. Es ¡imposible! de modificar la pagina de inicio, contrariamente a todos los navegadores existentes (y no soy el unico que se ha sentido estafado con esta basura, sino que hay un articulo de Web3.0log - “New secure Browser Browzar is fake an full de adware“ que me confirma mi constataciones y agrega algo mas grave aun…). Precisamente respecto a esa imposibilidad apuntada, leyendo la FAQ de ese “supuesto navegador” sus autores explican, como haciendose los desentendidos, que esta opcion ha sido la preferida a los efectos de mejor proteger los dones privados, especialmente en ordenadores publicos. Una profesion de fe que rapidamente se ve borrada por la profesion de hechos. Pues “toda busqueda en Browzar da como proveedor (¡que casualidad!) resultados “esponsorizados”, y eso ¡siempre!. Y doy un pequeño ejemplito, vean una busqueda del termino “del.icio.us” bajo Browzar lo que da (Picar Aca) y la misma bajo Yahoo! o Google . [...]
Browzar = Satan « Matt Cameron’s Blog said,
September 4, 2006 @ 9:37 am
[...] I don’t think I need to say anything about false advertising - its blatantly obvious. Go have a look at browzar’s main page make sure you don’t download anything and then compare it to the discoveries made re the adware etc. in this blog entry. Happy Browsing! [...]
Daily Gadget » Browzar a no-no. said,
September 4, 2006 @ 10:03 am
[...] Web3.Olog has a good rundown on the app, but bottom line is that the thing is adware. With Browzar, you have to use it’s built-in search engine, and it skews all of it’s results to a rather fishy results page. All of the links on the results page are click thrus for www6.overture.com, a well known pay-per-click service. [...]
ENGRENAGEM - Media e Tecnologia: blog sobre jornalismo, citizen journalism, blogosfera e novas tecnologias said,
September 4, 2006 @ 11:06 am
[...] O DN no foi o nico a enganar-se e alguns sites conceituados apresentaram a aplicao como sendo de facto um programa legtimo. Mas quem se deu ao trabalho de experimentar descobriu que o Browzar, para alm de correr sobre o Internet Explorer, pouco mais do que adware. [...]
Gaetano’s weblog » Blog Archive » browzar ? said,
September 4, 2006 @ 11:43 am
[...] http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/ [...]
s1rk3ls » Browzar: Good vs. Evil said,
September 4, 2006 @ 11:51 am
[...] But aparently, nobody actually tested the software before writing about it’s functionality to see just how good/bad it really is… Stories are slowly surfacing about it’s adware tendancies that make you wonder if anyone actually did test or research it in the beginning. Web3.0log did a quick post on Friday, claiming: [...]
groovestix said,
September 4, 2006 @ 12:13 pm
For anyone that tried Browsar, search your registry for entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Browzar Application
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Browzar.Document
:)))
PJ Kix > Hi-tek / Lo-life » Blog Archive » Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
September 4, 2006 @ 4:33 pm
[...] Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware [...]
devloop :: blog said,
September 4, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
Browzar dmasqu
Il y a quelques jours j’avais lu un article de TheRegister parlant d’un nouveau navigateur Internet baptis Browzar dont l’objectif est (soit disant) d’assurer la vie priv et la confidentialit des internautes.
D’aprs leur FAQ, ce navigateur ne…
Confessions of a SysAdmin » Blog Archive » New browser? Not really… said,
September 5, 2006 @ 12:17 am
[...] Web3.0log, which says, “it’s just [a] 264K addon to Microsoft Internet Explorer that [any] beginning programmer would easily make.” [...]
links for 2006-09-05 « Richard@Home said,
September 5, 2006 @ 1:19 am
[...] Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware Browzar™ does not completely protect your privacy. Browzar™ is in fact a browser that makes use of the Internet Explorer core. Browzar™ inherits of any problems Internet Explorer might have. Browzar™ permits access to anyone that wants to restore (tags: browser adware spyware security con snakeoil) [...]
Roger said,
September 5, 2006 @ 2:41 am
Full of adware? The scanners does not think so:
File: BrowzarBlackWin.exe
Status: OK (Note: this file has been scanned before. Therefore, this file’s scan results will not be stored in the database)
MD5 2a1dcac131ba27aed43831ac4e112b07
Packers detected: -
Scanner results
AntiVir Found nothing
ArcaVir Found nothing
Avast Found nothing
AVG Antivirus Found nothing
BitDefender Found nothing
ClamAV Found nothing
Dr.Web Found nothing
F-Prot Antivirus Found nothing
Fortinet Found nothing
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Found nothing
NOD32 Found nothing
Norman Virus Control Found nothing
UNA Found nothing
VirusBuster Found nothing
VBA32 Found nothing
Rob said,
September 5, 2006 @ 3:46 am
Need I remind all of us “Intelligent People” that arguing over things like this on the internet is like competeing in the special olympics. Even if you win your still retarted! (No disrespect intended)
Listen to you master minds out there. The thing is 264 k of code. I have e-mails that are bigger than that from my mother! Of course its a scam. Look at the guys name who is behind it. Sand Nigger Much!
Honestly people focus on something worth while!
Roger said,
September 5, 2006 @ 6:09 am
Since there’s no option to change the home page in Browzar (!), here’s a short guide how to use a hex editor to modify Browzar’s executable file to use Google.com as the home page and search page:
http://rogerkarlsson.com/blogs/misc/change-browzar-home-page/
zoneX » Edit: il browser che sembrva navigasse anonimo said,
September 5, 2006 @ 6:12 am
[...] Riferimento: leggete l’articolo [...]
ahoier said,
September 5, 2006 @ 11:00 am
Yea, just use TorPark instead…
mediAnima Blog » Browzar – Il browser bufala. said,
September 5, 2006 @ 1:46 pm
[...] Il browser dopo poche ore dal rilascio è finito nel mirino degli esperti di sicurezza informatica, i ragazzi di Web3.Olog definiscono così il programma: “L’applicazione non merita d’essere chiamata browser, si tratta di una semplice aggiunta per Internet Explorer e non di un programma singolo ed indipendente”. Inoltre utilizzando il motore rendering di IE, tutti i dati relativi alla navigazione vengono deviati sulla cache di quest’ultimo. La risposta del team di Browzar è arrivata subito tramite il capo sviluppatore Ajaz Ahmed, che ha dichiarato “di capire ed accettare le critiche”, ma anche “che il browser è stato sviluppato per la massa e non per essere un prodotto altamente sicuro e tecnologico, ma visto che c’è forte domanda per un programma di questo tipo, penseremo allo sviluppo di una variante del browser che soddisfi queste richieste”. [...]
NA said,
September 5, 2006 @ 6:50 pm
New brozar……..lol. Why try any browsers when you have Mozilla Firefox.
It is simply the best.
Web 2.0 Blog Network said,
September 5, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
Browzar: When the wisdom of crowds goes bad
So, Browzar, the alleged no-spyware, no-adware browser that is only 264K and leaves no tracks on your PC…isn’t secure, safe, or private.
I couldn’t have seen that one coming.
Actually, I didn’t, but in retrospect it does make se…
Betaflow.com - » Browzar: Less Work, More Recognition said,
September 5, 2006 @ 8:51 pm
[...] New Secure Browser Browzar is Fake and Full of Adware (Web3.0log) [...]
只言片语 said,
September 5, 2006 @ 11:03 pm
迷你浏览器：Browzar
[URL=http://www.browzar.com/index.html]Browzar[/URL]是一款基于 IE 的迷你浏览器。功能简单。 该浏览器为免费软件，体积只有264K，而且免安装（只是一个执行文件）。下载后，直接点击即可运行。有银…
Security experts cry foul over Browzar - PC Help Forum.com - Computer Tech Support said,
September 5, 2006 @ 11:41 pm
[...] Security experts cry foul over Browzar Security experts cry foul over Browzar Browser beware! Security experts are crying foul over a new supposedly secure browser application. Browzar is promoted as an easy way for users to surf the web without leaving traces of sensitive information behind on their PCs. Critics say it fails to do what it says on the tin and, worse still, the software manipulates search results to push ads at users. document.write(’x3Cscript src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/reg.security.4159/front;pos=middle;’ + excats + GetCookie(’vcs’) + ‘ptype=’ + ptype + ‘;site=uk;maid=’ + maid + ‘;test=’ + test + ‘;sz=336×280;tile=3;ord=’ + rand + ‘?" type="text/javascript">x3C/script>’); http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/reg….AAAS5yRIAAACU? Browzar, according to its developers, is designed not to retain information. Browzar automatically deletes internet caches, histories, cookies. It doesn’t use auto-complete forms, a feature that anticipates the search term or web address a user might enter. Initially, we took these assurances at face value, but many problems with the software have since emerged. Although positioned as a fully fledged browser application, Browzar is a simple "custom wrapper" and user interface for IE that inherits any problems an installed version of Internet Explorer might have, while adding some all of its own. The software is supposed to get rid of all records of sites surfers may have visited, along with cookies and history files relating to a Browzar session from users’ PCs. But Browzar does not clean up all traces of surfing as promised. Deleted files are not wiped and would be easy to recover - allowing anyone with a basic data recovery tool to access history, cookies or any other media downloaded using Browzar. Furthermore, because Browzar uses IE’s ActiveX control, a list of browsed websites stills appear in the index.dat file. Browzar therefore, according to critics, offers a false sense of privacy protection. As if that wasn’t enough reason to be wary of the software, Browzar steers users towards the firm’s own search page which allows the browser’s developers to insert sponsored links intermixed with regular search results. Much of the criticism of Browzar has focused on its skewed search engine and the use of Browzar’s website as the default (unchangeable) home page for surfers. Based on this feature, security guru Bruce Schneier describes the software as ad-ware, a view backed up multiple assessments of the software by other security researchers (here and here). Other applications, such as Sandboxie, which runs programs inside of a virtual "sandbox", offer a far better alternative to Browzar, the SANS Institute suggests. Browzar’s developers reject the ad-ware tag but say they are prepared to examine feedback, the BBC reports. Ajaz Ahmed, founder of UK ISP Freeserve and the business brains behind Browzar, told the BBC: "This is not adware at all. Like every search engine, Browzar has sponsored advertising." From: Security experts cry foul over Browzar | The Register __________________ - PCHF Team. - (NL) - Mal-ware Eradicator! - - Online AV Scans - HijackThis! - Bootdisk.com - ATF-Cleaner - Stinger - ‘Prework’ - ‘Afterwork’ - PCHF Rules - Donate to PCHF. And get> [...]
Keith said,
September 6, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
That site should be taken down as soon as possible, to avoid people getting hit by fake claims of so-called Browzer.
Security » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
September 8, 2006 @ 8:02 am
[...] Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user.read more | digg story [...]
Web Internet Resources » Blog Archive » Browsar Portable Web Browser : Surf with Privacy said,
September 8, 2006 @ 12:33 pm
[...] Update: Browsar is not recommended. Some sites like WEb3.0log say that Browsar is fake and full of adware. Techcrunch says further that “Browzar appears to be nothing but a simple shell to IE which forces Overture ads on its own users. The creators didn’t write a cache or history function, calling this a feature, and users are unable to change the search function or home page to anything other than Browzar ad results.” [...]
Jonathan Rawle's Website said,
September 13, 2006 @ 4:48 pm
Browzar privacy not so great
Yesterday I read about a new web browser, called Browzar, on BBC News. This browser, so claimed the BBC , would offer “total privacy for its users” by removing any trace of the sites they had visited from the computer.
Today, the BBC articl…
Patrick Farrell said,
September 15, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
Wally said: This is why sites like digg, reddit, etc. are dangerous. Crap can easily be posted and everyone thinks its legitimate.
No way. Those sites are great. People need to be critically minded and do some research before installing internet downloaded binaries willy-nilly. If you’ve never heard of the company, install on your test box. If you don’t have a test box, then don’t complain when you get hosed. BTW, gozilla client is also _full_ of adware.
Kletskous » Blog Archive » De eerste Russische Miljonairs Fair said,
September 19, 2006 @ 5:22 pm
[...] Inmiddels bestaat het vermoeden dat de Browzar helemaal geen browser is. Het zou gaan om adware, waardoor het na installatie niet meer mogelijk is om Google te gebruiken. Je zou alleen nog gebruik kunnen maken van Browzar’s eigen zoekmachine die vol spyware zit.” [...]
EveryDigg » Blog Archive » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
October 4, 2006 @ 8:10 am
[...] Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it’s not a browser at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user.read more | digg story [...]
New Secure Browser Browzar Is Fake And Full Of Adware ~ Tech News Watch said,
October 6, 2006 @ 1:16 am
[...] Web3.0log reports: [...]
Debra Boucher said,
November 7, 2006 @ 8:05 am
Browzar works fine for what I need. And with regards to claims about it being adware. Your blog has an advert in it which I cannot turn off. An advert which you no doubt get money for because when you type in Browzar in Google (like I did), this blog is ranked on the top page. As I type this I see a link jus above this box saying Advertise on this site. So your making money because of Browzar. And - so what it if uses IE. It works for me.
Alan said,
November 10, 2006 @ 8:23 am
Most of the above comments don’t seem to show anything like any proof of Spyware etc. It appears at first look (wrt to Bill Schneier) that yes there is advertising, but this does not allow Ask.com or any other site to store and later retrieve cookies, nor to hijack browser, and for 99% of the web users, this would be a simplest and most practical way of avoiding the majority of embarassing cases. I’d recommend reading the http://www.browzar.com/faq first before making 1+1=3. That said, geeks can always download tools from Sysinternals.com and monitor all changes and activities and see what is retained after closing the Browzar. From what I see above, no one really disagrees or has provided any proof that this is spyware, or for 99% of normal webusers more private and foolproof than IE or FF. Yes nerds can alwasy config FF to be super duper private, but that is less than 1% of pop, and it is not something u can do in a jiffy while checking your Email from a net cafe!
Rob said,
November 21, 2006 @ 9:03 am
Browzar is a simple application that is there to do a simple job. I don’t want to install another Browser on my machine and I’m on the road alot, so I’m not going to use Firefox. I can use Browzar wherever I am and whenever I need it. So if I’m in an internet cafe in the Middle East checking my e-mail (which I often am), I simply go to the Browzar site, click on the sofware wait 3 seconds and run it without even installing it on the PC I am using. When I’m done - I just close it down. Job done. It’s a nice diposable Browzar. Nothing more, nothing less.
Also, whilst I am here, I find it more than a little ironic that you have an advert on your site. I assume you will be getting revenue from this based on the clicks you must be getting. Is your site adware? A cynic might suggest that you created a negative blog to simply get page impressions to make money from eyeballs coming to your site.
Enric said,
December 26, 2006 @ 5:01 pm
Uh… just don’t install it. I did it yesterday and my computer was full of adware, trojans and things like that.
I was shocked! It installs activeX and it gives a lot of information about you. Oh my god, it looked like a good project, I’m sure some “ad” companies have bought it for some money… and the creators earn something with this. ^^ Huh, MSIE
Nice post
and nice blog! (I’m sorry to comment here more than 3 months late)
Alan said,
December 27, 2006 @ 5:45 pm
hehehe! Another badly disguised adware ploy! Really, there are some programmers producing much better pestware!
I too hate all this crap! It is going to be up to the internet community to make the production and use of pestware un-profitable. Only when that happens will we see it on the decline.
My directory / search engine allows users to report pestware and that information is displayed on search results. That way others can avoid the stuff!
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January 14, 2007 @ 11:55 am
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Rob said,
February 15, 2007 @ 8:40 am
We launched Browzar as a Beta in August last year (2006) and we were taken aback by the level of interest we received from users in almost every country around the World.
The response has been mixed. Most who took the time to contact us said they really like Browzar. Others, predominantly the technical community, have been critical of some Browzar’s features. We openly invite feedback and boy we get a lot!
We’ve reviewed all of the comments and suggestions sent into us. We’ve also spent an obsessive amount of time reading various blogs and reviews (inlcluding this one: Web3.0log. For the last four months we’ve been working hard to create the next version of Browzar, incorporating a host of new features and just plain bug fixes.
However, we’ve intentionally not lost sight of our original goal: the creation of a disposable privacy browser, without the need for any installation or registration. We’ve kept to a very small files size, so that Browzar can be downloaded and running in seconds whenever you need it: at home, at work, at a friend’s house, or an Internet café.
Our core target audience has always been, and will remain, the non-technical user. But from the emails that we receive, it’s clear that technically savvy users are also enjoying the benefits of Browzar. Regardless, it’s the constructive criticism and feedback from our diverse audience which will continue to drive us to improve Browzar.
We have listened to what has been said on this - and other - blogs and we have come back with a host of fixes and features because of it (see http://www.browzar.com and see for yourself. So thanks to all those who have taken the time to contribute to Web3.0log. Our product is now better and improved, partly because of your response to our Beta.
samlowry said,
February 15, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Rob, I will check your new version and write entry, if it really without malware.
Jürgen said,
March 15, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
i downloaded it and i will try it now. Thnaks for the comments in this blog. i am happy, that i dont need to try all by myself and i can take your comments and use it for myself. Great guys (and of course Grat Caroline). Thanks.
Browzar - Habbo Forum said,
March 18, 2007 @ 8:50 am
[...] mate. Web3.0log New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware __________________ [...]
Heiko said,
March 20, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Browsar-Habbo Forum, thanks for the tipp. Heiko
jeff said,
March 30, 2007 @ 4:12 am
Thanks a lot. Jeff
MD said,
April 25, 2007 @ 8:51 am
I can’t believe the people who go on the bashing band-wagon. I haven’t had a problem with Browzar, it works great and I have 0 adware or spyware on all the computers I run it on. It still has some bugs but most of you don’t realize it is a work in progress. If you have spyware or adware on your PC, its probably your own damn fault. If it were spyware or adware, how come none of the removers detect it as so? You seem to trust that software, though about 50% of removers are spyware themselves… Browzar is a great little program…
straydog scraps » Secure Browsing with Browzar - Not! said,
June 24, 2007 @ 12:22 am
[...] * Update: It’s a derivative of IE and maybe actually contain spyware. Link [...]
Dan said,
July 4, 2007 @ 10:31 am
It does not contain spyware. I beleive your issues are a ID-10-T error loser.
Karib Corner-Blog Reports » Blog Archive » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware said,
July 10, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
[...] at all, and moreover, this software thrusts search via it’s own PPC-SE full of ads on user. read more | digg story Filed under: Tech [...]
Consumer Credit WebLog » Blog Archive » 123-Free-Download - free download pop-up-ads-killers said,
July 19, 2007 @ 12:02 am
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware … than any other browser. Apparently supports ActiveX . Claims to support cookies as well. Fails popup … Free Adware Spyware Remover Program spyware protection computer spyware spyware doctor crack http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/ [...]
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July 23, 2007 @ 10:21 pm
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware BTW, gozilla client is also _full_ of adware. Kletskous » Blog … FF to be super duper private, but that is less than 1% of pop … spyware blocker what is spyware Download Free Spyware http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/ [...]
AOL Data Leak- Save Yourself From Embarassment | pluggd.in said,
July 24, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
[...] 3.0Log did a review of Browzar and according to them, Browzar is fake and full of adware. Browzar, in response to the allegations [...]
Helpdesk Software WebLog » Blog Archive » Open Options | Glossary said,
July 24, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware You must use Browzar’s spyware search engine. Browzar sends all usual computer info ; it is no more … perhaps it needs some more debugging. Update 3: Wadih wrote in his blog: Browzarâ„¢ does not … http://web3.0log.org/2006/09/01/new-secure-browser-browzar-is-fake-and-full-of-adware/ [...]
Rational voice said,
July 30, 2007 @ 7:33 am
I used Browzar when it first came out and it did the job. However it did have some bugs like not being able to find a page you were looking for the odd time. It also didn’t clean up index.dat. It definitley didn’t have adware in it. Since it was launched last year it had got progressively better with new versions coming out which icluded features such as ’shreeding’ which makes it extremely difficult to recover any data about files downloaded whilst browsing and an idex.dat cleaner. The biggest problem with it, origionally was that it didn’t ignore exisiting cookies, so if you visited a site where a cookie was already present, the site woudl use the cookie, so it looked liek you were logged in, or seeing someone elses profile. They fixed this though, some time ago.
I have read through the above blog and amazed at the seeming hatred of Browzar, and clearly many of the comments are obviously wrong, but people liek to jump on bandwaggons to feel like part of something. So why not bash Browzar? It is also interesting to see that this blog is making money from Google Adverts - so the more controversial the blog the more profile it gets, and the more adverts get served. Go figure.
the dude said,
August 31, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Seriously people, this thing is BS; there are much better options out there to get rid of your internet usage.
It will delete your possibly wanted “untracked” usage in IE which you can do from tools\options\delete shit.
They hide that feature cause then you would notice upon closing next it has nothing to do cause IE can already do that you just have to do it.. manually.
one think i like is the look, it looks nice and i wish IE7 looked that way on XPx64
anyway this thing is a turd and anyone thinking different should give me some money.
Satana said,
September 12, 2007 @ 2:36 am
This is complete crap.
I’ve been using Browzar for a long time now. It is not an add-on as you claim. I’ve thoroughly analyzed it. Even if it was, why is that even a problem? The important part is that it functions! Besides, all you firefox-fags out there are always hootin’ and hollerin’ about your extensions.
Your claim that it gives you adware doesn’t make any sense. Whenver I’ve used the search function on the first page (which I’ve only used a few times), it’s always just brought me to ask.com where I get fine results. Browzar also now gives you the option of changing the homepage now.
I’ve checked everything you claimed that Browzar “does not do”, and I’ve found the opposite. It thoroughly deletes history and temporary internet files and cookies.
My guess is that either you got an infected version of Browzar, or you got a fake version of Browzar, or you’re just plain stupid.
ammar said,
September 13, 2007 @ 3:52 am
rrtte
Prese Arrampicata said,
November 4, 2007 @ 7:34 am
Perhaps they need to be reported to overture.
Chris said,
December 26, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Wow! Some interesting reviews on this, Browzar. I see the tech savvy ones putting in their knowledge, and what they believe. Stick to the facts, other than that thanx for the info. I used my limited testing abilities. I was not happy with the results. I got rid of it!
And WOW! Alan MD Dan Satana Rational, What color is this wagon. Really.
Come on back now, think everyone needs to make money. Compare your searches and come back with some real solid info. For yourself. Me, I will continue to use FF cause am superdudey. And anyone using my system knows FF or manually make me virtually unseen. Never 100% as far as I know.
Sorry Rob
MOST MOST » Blog Archive » Browsar Portable Web Browser : Surf with Privacy said,
January 16, 2008 @ 12:49 am
[...] Browsar is not recommended. Some sites like WEb3.0log say that Browsar is fake and full of adware. Techcrunch says further that “Browzar appears to [...]
qwerty said,
January 20, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
yeah… my mates step-dad is one of the guys who programmed this.
Rob Green said,
January 23, 2008 @ 11:40 am
I used Browzar when it was first launched, a year and a half ago. It was OK then but did have limitations some of which have been pointed out above. However, I am currently using version 1.5 and it is very, very good. It DOES clean up all files (even at the DOS level). It DOES now clean up index.dat (though the first version didn’t). It DOES NOT mess with your Regsitry. It DOES now let you set and save your own homepage. It DOES now have a ’shredding’ option which makes deleted content ‘unrecoverable’. It DOES ignore your existing cookies (it didn’t orginally). In short I find Browzar a very neat little tool for when I need it, which in my line of work, where I have no option but to access my e-mail and other private company intranet data in some of roughest Internet Cafes in the world (Middle East) is quite often. I’ve inlcuded a link to some of Browzar’s key features so you can check it out for yourselves http://www.browzar.com/keyfeatures
Aşk şiirleri said,
February 15, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Wow! Some interesting reviews on this, Browzar. I see the tech savvy ones putting in their knowledge, and what they believe. Stick to the facts, other than that thanx for the info. I used my limited testing abilities. I was not happy with the results. I got rid of it!
And WOW! Alan MD Dan Satana Rational, What color is this wagon. Really.
Come on back now, think everyone needs to make money. Compare your searches and come back with some real solid info. For yourself. Me, I will continue to use FF cause am superdudey. And anyone using my system knows FF or manually make me virtually unseen. Never 100% as far as I know.
John Collins said,
March 16, 2008 @ 8:40 am
What’s wrong with this BROWSER? It deletes browsing history just like FIREFOX can do. It uses IE as it’s core, and we all love IE. (Aiiieee-EEEEEE!) It doesn’t let you set your own homepage, what a lovely feature! What a great innovation, NOT allowing a user to modify their homepage.
But best of all, all the advertisements any user would give their left nut for. I’m so giddy over the prospect of it, that my nipples are turning hard!
Adware articles » Blog Archive » Half-open file said,
May 7, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware Social news rave about Browzar - they claim it a new secure browser leaving no footprints. After looking at it closer, I found out that it's not a browser Tags: file, Half-open file [...]
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July 6, 2008 @ 8:30 am
[...] думая, накропал скандальную статью-разоблачение “New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware“, где очень наглядно показал, что такое этот Browzar на [...]
links for 2006-09-05 - Buzzsonic.com said,
December 27, 2008 @ 1:04 am
[...] Web3.0log » New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware [...]
McColley.net » Blog Archive » Lifehacker’s Weirdest and Most Controversial Posts [Lifehacker Birthday] said,
January 31, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
[...] testimonials about why it was helpful! But it turned out to not cover up anything, and it was also full of adware and spammy search results. We certainly weren’t the only ones who thought that a privacy-focused browser was unique and [...]
Lifehacker’s Weirdest and Most Controversial Posts - Softsaurus.org said,
January 31, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
[...] testimonials about why it was helpful! But it turned out to not cover up anything, and it was also full of adware and spammy search results. We certainly weren’t the only ones who thought that a privacy-focused browser was unique and [...]
Lifehacker’s Weirdest and Most Controversial Posts [Lifehacker Birthday] | My Blog Channel said,
January 31, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
[...] testimonials about why it was helpful! But it turned out to not cover up anything, and it was also full of adware and spammy search results. We certainly weren’t the only ones who thought that a privacy-focused browser was unique and [...]
Slackerology - Lifehacker’s Weirdest and Most Controversial Posts [Lifehacker Birthday] said,
February 1, 2009 @ 12:37 am
[...] testimonials about why it was helpful! But it turned out to not cover up anything, and it was also full of adware and spammy search results. We certainly weren’t the only ones who thought that a privacy-focused browser was unique and [...]
tuba buyukustun said,
February 13, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
But best of all, all the advertisements any user would give their left nut for. I’m so giddy over the prospect of it, that my nipples are turning hard!
Lifehacker’s Weirdest and Most Controversial Posts [Lifehacker Birthday] | Techno Portal said,
March 11, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
[...] testimonials about why it was helpful! But it turned out to not cover up anything, and it was also full of adware and spammy search results. We certainly weren’t the only ones who thought that a privacy-focused browser was unique and [...]
Ozeroff said,
March 16, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Very useful files search engine. myfilefind.com is a search engine designed to search files in various file sharing and uploading sites.
http://http://your-download.org said,
March 25, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Personally I do not think they are that bad. Find the files you are looking for at http://your-download.org the most comprehensive source for free-to-try files downloads on the Web
gracie said,
May 9, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
I would recommend the antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy to anyone.
I spent a lot of time searching for a good scanner at an affordable price. I tired many different ones before I found Search-and-destroy Antispyware but when I tired it I was very happy with the results. I would recommend the antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy to anyone searching for a great scan that works just as well as Norton and many of the others that you would pay more for. Visit http://www.Search-and-destroy.com to find out more and to give this scan a try just like I did. I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.
gracie said,
May 9, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
I would recommend the antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy to anyone.
I spent a lot of time searching for a good scanner at an affordable price. I tired many different ones before I found Search-and-destroy Antispyware but when I tired it I was very happy with the results. I would recommend the antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy to anyone searching for a great scan that works just as well as Norton and many of the others that you would pay more for. Visit Search-and-destroy to find out more and to give this scan a try just like I did. I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.
Tyler said,
May 12, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
You guys are stupid. They admit on the Browzar website that it is only and IE shell. The program does everything it says it does, which makes it a good program. If you need to search using Browzar, just go to http://www.Google.com Via the Browzar URL box.
Baby names search - Search for Gracie said,
June 3, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
[...] New secure browser Browzar is fake and full of adware reddit_url=’http://www.baby-parenting.com/baby/search_babynames.php?babyname=Gracie&gender=Female&x=13&y=11′ reddit_title=’Baby names search - Search for Gracie’ [...]
Rapid search said,
June 24, 2009 @ 3:54 am
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July 27, 2009 @ 7:19 am
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aşk şiirleri said,
August 5, 2009 @ 4:57 am
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Thanks for sharing…
aşk sözleri said,
September 1, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
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Baby names search - Search for Gracie said,
September 2, 2009 @ 1:40 am
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September 7, 2009 @ 12:03 am
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September 9, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Very useful files search engine rapidsearchtube.com is a search engine designed to search files in various file sharing and uploading sites.
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September 16, 2009 @ 7:27 am
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September 16, 2009 @ 7:27 am
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September 26, 2009 @ 11:45 am
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SEO Search Engine Optimization said,
October 8, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
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October 30, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
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November 12, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
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MT said,
January 29, 2010 @ 5:43 am
What are you complaining about this time? Browzar is good in my opinion.
I wouldn’t use it on my own PC over Firefox, but it’s perfect for when I run MicroXP (for dummys this is a version of Windows that runs on a Flash Drive).
And, You can change the home page (tools-homepage) and search google.
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February 7, 2010 @ 4:12 am
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