MacDuffie wrote:
I don't see any reason why you can't name it, but you certainly don't need to.
I'm not surprised, particularly as Google is involved. (You can't tell me Google didn't know exactly what was going on.) I use AdBlock Plus in Edge just because it's available and the internet has become almost impossible to navigate without an ad blocker these days. I've never used one before. I certainly hope AdBlock is not involved with this.
In fact, thanks to a post by Acadia, I am actually now using Vivaldi as my default browser. I still open Edge now then, mostly without thinking. Almost never use IE now, which has no ad blocker other than its pop-up blocker.
Interesting post. Firefox still has WOT on addons page. When I found out that Google was involved by running a CCleaner dupe cleaner months ago, I was dismayed. The problem that I have with WOT is that it isn't particularly useful, as it would block pages perfectly suitable for children and perfectly safe. I would always add my own rating in those cases.
First thing, as I have been using Adblock Plus for a decade (you are right, you can't go anywhere without it), is that I would be surprised if ADP knows about it. I don't remember a tie-in or a recommendation from them except their Easy List (Element Helper, and their browser for tablet/phone). If you can add Fanboy's list, I highly recommend it. I have written to and had very prompt responses from Wladimir Palant. I suggest that you ask him if he sold out. He's very reachable in a number of ways.
Re WOT, their "trustworthiness" was based on things I would not prioritize as trustworthy enough, such as would I get infected? The active participants seem to have different standards of judgment than I do. I have gotten used to the green circle though. Will remove. Other FF addons include Trust My Web and Insight, but I don't know anything about them.
MacDuffie, Adblock Plus came out with an IE version quite a while ago. On the last Win10 update, I lost the icon, but it's still working, because I disabled and then re-added it unnecessarily (it hadn't been removed). I only use IE to determine if HTTPS blocked a site too much or if it's Adblock. 100% of the time, it's HTTPS Everywhere or the site is actually not functioning. (As I have complained about MS and their brutal invasions of privacy, suffice it to say I don't use Edge.)
The Avira icon also disappeared shortly after I started with it, but I know it's working. I guess there is too much crap (and not enough) to make these programs fully function throughout the different configurations we all use.
On another note, and I think this is the most important for everybody, The EFF (the Electronic Frontier Foundation) is on our side. On their home page
https://www.eff.org/, I suggest you look at their Projects (right side of page) and see what they are doing. You will find HTTPS Everywhere and Privacy Badger there (I tend to have conflicts, but if I write, I get an immediate response.) Defending civil liberties in the digital domain is their mission and for those of you not familiar, they fight for fair use and IP, online privacy, abuses of DMCA - etc. They testify in Congress. Etc.
One other thing I will say, I know that Google is Mozilla/Firefox's biggest contributor, but they (Mozilla) are a non-profit and have a foundation, and they really seem to be an honorable company. People should feel free to disabuse if I am being naive. I try to follow everything that interests me, but there are not enough hours in the day.
I am not familiar with Vivaldi, but it's nice to have options.
Thank you.