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Why multiple downloads rather than a single application?
Why multiple downloads for each browser rather than just a single application that lets you set your browser from a central package?
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Hi Quentin,
Thanks for using Ghostery!
Thanks for the feedback! Besides the fact that each browser has a specific code base, we want to keep Ghostery light weight and keep the footprint as small as possible.
But do agree that it could be beneficial. Sharing settings, possible local reporting. Do you have any other suggestions as far as features you would like to see that you don't have now in the current versions?Comment -
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CHAMP
2Ghostery's browser extensions for Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera are multiplatform, and 100% of their source code is fully exposed. This allows anyone concerned about their safety to verify that these products do what they're supposed to, and don't harbor malware. Extraneous code invites suspicion.
Applications have to be built and maintained separately for each operating system, and need to be rebuilt every time any one of their constituent components changes. Each build cycle may produce multiple deliverables, to cope with different hardware architectures or packaging requirements, or accommodate users running older systems. Every one needs to be tested separately.
Each browser vendor has taken a different approach to curb abuse.
Firefox restricts installation from unapproved sources. Developers submit extensions for independent review, and Mozilla handles global distribution. Firefox's installation process uses strong cryptographic mechanisms to ensure add-ons haven't been tampered with.
Safari requires extensions to be digitally signed, with time-limited developer certificates issued by Apple. Only registered developers can participate, and Apple will not hesitate to revoke the privileges of anyone who breaks their rules.
Google Chrome is similar to Firefox, with extensions curated through the Chrome Web Store, and hosted on Google's servers.
Likewise with Opera and addons.opera.com.
Microsoft doesn't take security seriously; never has, and probably never will. Digitally signed add-ons are designated "pre-approved," which simply means they'll be activated without user notification. There's no way to tell if anything's actually trustworthy with IE.
As for sharing settings, etc., that's becoming less and less within the realm of possibility, given the growing trend toward "sandboxing," i.e. running everything unrelated in isolation. Should something go wrong, any damage would be safely contained. We ready see a lot of people using multiple browsers to compartmentalize usage, e.g. one for handling private matters such as financial transactions or medical stuff, another for social networking, and a third for personal use. You really wouldn't want any of these interacting with the others.
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EMPLOYEE
