Ask.com launches anonymizer tool

Filed under: Search

Ask.com launches anonymizer tool

by Brad Linder Dec 11th 2007

Remember back in July when Ask.com told us the company would "soon" be launching a tool that would let you automatically erase your search history to protect your privacy? Yeah, well soon is finally here, 5 months later.

The world's fourth most popular search engine has officially launched AskEraser, the most aggressive search engine anonymizing tool we're aware of. All you have to do is click the little AskEraser button at the top right side of the screen. A window will pop up asking if you'd like to turn on AskEraser. Once enabled, Ask will no longer keep records of your search terms or place cookies on your computer.

AskEraser works with the service's web, image, video, maps, news, blog, and local search engines. The feature is not retroactive. If Ask.com already has your search history, it won't disappear just because you turn AskEraser on today. But the site will "forget" your data after 18 months.

Now for the funny part. AskEraser will remain on until you click the AskEraser button again to turn it off, no matter how many times you visit the web site. How does the search engine remember your preferences? By placing a cookie on your computer that lasts for two years. Yeah, it's kind of ironic, but the alternative would be requiring you to click the button every time you visit the site.

[via Search Engine Land]

Tags: anonymous, ask.com, askeraser, privacy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

James said 11:54AM on 12-18-2007

To be completely anonymous, I use an anonymous proxy service. There are free proxies out there but use Anonymizer.com's Anonymous Surfing. It's nice knowing a company is behind the service.

http://www.anonymizer.com

Raj said 2:17PM on 3-02-2008

Anonymizer is just a proxy though right? Proxies are limited and tend to be sloooooow. I'd use a VPN. Mostly, because they encrypt everything, not just web browsing. http://publicvpn.com and PersonalVPN http://www.witopia.net are some of the veterans in this emerging market. No matter what, you better use something!

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