This a screenshot of the Google homepage inside Internet Explorer.
If you click the "Update Now" link on the Google home page, it will download an executable file – setgooglesearch.exe – on the desktop that will set Google as the default search engine inside IE.
Now Google regularly uses that space to advertise their other products but I think its the first time that they have placed a direct link to an .exe file on the homepage. And since its not mentioned anywhere that the link points to an executable, most people would only realize it once they have clicked the link.
Do you agree with this approach?
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/internet/google-exe/10413/
Reader Comments
Maybe they thought people in India don’t understand complex instructions.
Written by Ikram Kurdi on 10.06.09
Hello!
Very good and helpful site!
Back to the subject I think that at least Google should mention there that is an .exe. But I am glad that I’m using Linux! :)
Written by vasiauvi on 10.06.09
Now thats scary…i would have thought that i m on some phishing site trying to infect my system using exe files
Written by Srihari on 10.06.09
Yeah…saw that…I donno whether they have their privacy policy updated regarding direct .exe download, but I think they have to update right there about the .exe file download for the users.
Written by Sheik on 10.06.09
I guess they have removed it now. I dont see it anymore on google india page.
Written by srihari on 10.06.09
Do I agree? NO!
Lusers clicking on executables is a trully BAD thing, and should be discouraged vigorously, if not blocked completely.
Written by Joe Bogus on 10.06.09
yea , im agree why be not .. there’s n’t problem
Written by amr on 10.06.09
Why exactly do you need an .exe to set the default search?
Written by Andrew on 10.06.09
I don’t like this at all. This can throw up red flags to users that have been hit with drive by downloadable malware. There are a lot of sites that tell the user to download so and so and it turns out to be a virus. I am not saying that this is the case with Google but I believe it can happen.
Written by DJ on 10.06.09
eh, who cares. Only idiots use MS windows and they probably download so much crap no one will notice.
Sure the MS Kool-Aid drinkers will throw a fit but who cares. They are yesterdays news.
If Google was kind, they would just make it a link that replaced IE with Chrome.
Written by GoogleLuv on 10.06.09
Yes Indeed!! There must be certain strategy behind!!
Written by Vamsi on 10.06.09
it’s a No from me.
tzuche
Written by tzuche on 10.06.09
Its perfectly fine, u are jus over hyping it
Written by markandey on 10.06.09
It is ridiculous, google is creating a monopoly cloud..
Written by vinoth on 10.06.09
why not………..
coz IE have only msn serch only we need to instital add ons to serch in browser….
Written by Fun Evil on 10.06.09
Their approach is a bit unorthodox… but hey… it’s Google and they can get away with anything they want. =)
Written by Carrie Callen on 10.06.09
I think link clearly describes that it is action. With rise of web apps we are already used that there are links that point somewhere and there are links that do something.
Well, and current Google mantra is do anything as long as it undercuts Microsoft. :)
Written by Rarst on 10.06.09
downright wrong as gmail forbids exe attachments… google should be consistent about its own measures…
Written by ringlerun on 10.07.09