Ken March 02, 2011 15:57

Ghostery vs Google Toolbar Image search: incompatible?

I for the past few weeks have been experiencing a new problem when I use the "Image Search" function of the Firefox Google Toolbar (v 7.1.20101113Wb1) while using Ghostery.

The problem is that Firefox's cpu use percentage quickly increases to 50% or more and locks there. (The cooling fan on the Win XP laptop I am using turns on to high and stays there as well.)

Background:

When I enter a search term into the Firefox Google Toolbar search box, I see the normal "grid" style page of image thumbnails come up, just as expected.

When I then begin to scroll and browse through the images, within a few seconds Firefox's cpu usage percentage jumps to 50% or more, and thereafter will not decrease below 50%. No matter how long I wait the cpu use remains locked at 50%. I must exit Firefox completely to get the cpu usage to drop back down and the cpu to cool off.

This problem ONLY occurs when I use the Image Search function of the Google Toolbar AND have Ghostery enabled.

I have no problem with a "normal" Google search, Groups search, etc. Only images.

I also have no problem with Image Searches if Ghostery is DISABLED, no matter what other Add-ons I have enabled.

In addition to the Google Toolbar and Ghostery, I usually use the NoScript, AdBlock Plus, BetterPrivacy, TrackerBlock and IE View add-ons. I can have ALL of these other add-ons enabled and there is no cpu use issue as long as Ghostery is NOT enabled.

As soon as I re-enable Ghostery then I can't use the Google Image search function without the cpu usage locking at 50% or more.

My Ghostery options are set to all defaults, Web Bug Blocking ON (all bugs checked), Cookie Protection OFF.

Has anyone else experienced any compatibility issues when using the Google Toolbar Image Search function with Ghostery enabled?

As I said, this problem has only been happening for a couple of weeks. Is this an issue with a recent Ghostery update?

BTW, Firefox's update (today) to version 3.6.14 also makes no difference.

Thanks!

Ken
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  • CHAMP
    Felix Shnir March 02, 2011 16:23
    Hi Ken, thanks for using Ghostery.

    I've tested Ghostery with Google Images prior to release, and it appeared to behave well. That said, I'm not sure what differences there might be in the plugin vs their web site.

    There are several options that will increase the performance of Ghostery for you, they are:
    - Whitelist google images search. To do that, open Ghostery options and add the following 2 domains: gstatic.com and images.google.com
    - Increase performance by avoiding scanning pixel objects. To do that, open Ghostery options, scroll down to Performance Options and uncheck "Scan and block images served off the matched tracker domain". The "Scan for dynamically inserted page elements" and "Look for and prevent redirection from known trackers" options might also increase performance -- try the options one at a time to see which one benefits the most.

    Let me know if any of the options work for you.
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    • Ken March 02, 2011 17:22
      Thanks, Felix, I'll give your suggestions a try.

      One clarification to my original post:

      I have always experienced frequent brief periods where Firefox's cpu usage percentage goes up during Google searches of all kinds (sometimes even to 99% for short periods), and during heavy use the cpu temperature increases and the laptop fan speed increases. I have always thought this normal. Ordinarily the cpu usage percentage and cpu temp drop to normal after a pause.

      It has only been the last two weeks or so where the cpu use percentage "locks" to at/over 50%.

      I have made no other changes, other than the usual Firefox/Add-ons updates.

      Thanks again!

      Ken
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  • Ken March 02, 2011 20:47
    I have tried all of the suggestions offered by Felix Shnir...

    Whitelisting gstatic.com and images.google.com does not work.

    Unchecking "Scan for dynamically inserted page elements" and "Look for and prevent redirection from known trackers" does not work.

    Unchecking "Scan and block images served off the matched tracker domain"
    DOES solve the problem!

    I am concerned, of course, about leaving this option continuously unchecked just so I can occasionally use the Google Toolbar's Image Search function!

    By the way, this is a screenshot of what I see in my Windows Task Manager after the cpu usage has "latched" at 50% or more:

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  • Ken March 03, 2011 13:43
    Another update...

    If I whitelist the ENTIRE www.google.com domain then I can enable Ghostery's "Scan and block images served off the matched tracker domain" option with no problems.

    I still think the programmers should double-check the interaction of the most recent versions of Ghostery (with all performance options enabled) with the Google Toolbar FIREFOX PLUGIN during use of the Image Search function.

    I THINK I have only been experiencing the cpu-latching problem since about mid-February, which would correspond with the release of Ghostery v 2.5.0 (?).

    Thanks!

    Ken
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