Re: IE exposing URLs to msn.com and alexa.com?

["Nicolas RUFF (lists)" <ruff.lists () edelweb fr>]

> Has anyone been able to verify this?
> http://www.secunia.com/advisories/8955/

This has been known for a long time: you can check that Ad-Aware 
(http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/) detects "Alexa" as a spyware, 
even in a fresh clean installation of Windows XP.

However I disagree with this because the user has to use the "show 
related links" feature on a volontary basis, and no personal information 
(like email address) is sent.

You can also check that using the "Search / Internet" menu in Windows XP
1/ Connects to msn.com
2/ Is ad-sponsored ...

If you want to know more, I advised you to read the following paper :

"Using Windows XP Pro SP1 in a Managed Environment :
Controlling Communication with the Internet"
http://technet.microsoft.at/includes/file.asp?ID=4668

I guess you would be surprised ...

Regards,
- Nicolas RUFF
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Security Consultant
EdelWeb (http://www.edelweb.fr/)
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