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402 today

02-12-2004, 09:53 PM

My Google toolbar has taken on a Valentines Day theme.... I'm not amused.

This just happened and I don't even think I used the Google search bar today on this computer. So far, this has only happened on 1 of the 5 PC's I've used today with the Google toolbar installed. Is this a spyware/adware component of the Google bar?

BTW, WinXP and Win98 with IE5.5 and IE6

02-12-2004, 09:55 PM

I believe it is an update feature of the Google toolbar. The background should disappear once we pass Valentine's Day.

Just be prepared for the next holiday Google celebrates, which could be about anything given how often the Google frontpage logo changes.

02-12-2004, 10:00 PM

I believe there must be a hole in my security settings though?
I just did a few google searches on my laptop and didn't change to the new theme. I know the Google site does the themes thing, I just don't want it automatically downloaded and updated on my computer.

02-12-2004, 10:06 PM

Could be a security hole, or there could be requirement to trigger the update event, such as visiting the Google site.

02-13-2004, 12:34 PM

Well, the hearts were on my desktop PC at work as well today. Surely someone knows something about these automatic "themes" being downloaded. BTW, I'm usine ZoneAlarm Pro and I have JavaScript and ActiveX disabled for all but my favorite websites.

02-13-2004, 01:11 PM

There is no security hole present. To stop the update, you would have to stop access for IE as well.

While I do not have the freetime to analyze the packet data, the "themes" are likely (99% chance) being pulled directly through the IE engine. It is a common practice for many IE toolbar-style applications.

After a quick skim of Usenet, it appears this "update" has been happening to thousands of Google users.

Bill in SD, CA · 02-13-2004, 01:28 PM

Hasn't happened to me and I'm on Google all the time.

Bill

02-13-2004, 01:30 PM

Yeah, it does seem quite random according to reports, but it is legitimately a Google feature. I also believe this update only effects the latest toolbar release.