the "Zango" toolbar

[seaborn]

Quite a few of my friends are recommending that I down load and use the "Zango" toolbar. But none of them know how they got it in the first place.
I've been on the web site: www.zango.com but can't seem to find a link on it anywhere to down load the toolbar.
Anyone, got any ideas how I get hold of it?

Thanks

[mattfox]

I wouldn't go near it! And tell your friends to remove it too....

It is Adware, run by 180Solutions inc.

Adware is any software application in which advertising is displayed while the program is running. The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen and sometimes through text links or in integrated search results. Adware may or may not track personal information. It may also gather information anonymously or in aggregate only. Users should check the EULA and Privacy policy to ensure if the adware on their machines conforms to their standards.

[mattfox]

Some general advice:

If you see pop-ups appearing on your computer, make sure you haven't downloaded adware without realising it - run Ad-removing software such as www.microsoft.com/defender.

Make sure your virus program/firewall is up to date and scan on a regular basis

Only download and run software from a trustworthy company - if you have to have a toolbar, use Google, Yahoo or even the MSN toolbar.

[seaborn]

Wow, thanks mattfox, I never knew about this before - I�m going to look into the adware thing on my computer now. But I don't have a toolbar - do I need one (sorry I�m a bit a technophobe when it comes to computers!!) if so, what would you recommend?

[mattfox]

All a toolbar does is give you easy access to that company's services.

For example, the Google toolbar gives you a google search (saves you going to www.google.com each time), links in with Google Earth if it's on you computer etc

The Yahoo toolbar lets you search via Yahoo without going to their site directly and gives you access to your Yahoo email

They both offer pop-up blockers and an auto-fill function that saves you typing, for example, your name and address on every site that asks for it.

If you still think you'd like one, I'd recommend the Google toolbar - excellent search engine, good pop-up blocker and quite unobtrusive!

Hope this helps :)

Matt