Are "previews" safe?

[rlprlp]

I was wondering about two Firefox extensions: BetterSearch and Cooliris. Is there any danger of becoming infected with malware by using these extensions and looking at the previews that they provide? I may be wrong, but I could swear that I've heard that just opening the page of a bad site can infect a PC. So, are these a safe precaution before making that final decision on whether or not to click and visit the site/link? Thank you to all who take the time to reply.

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by rlprlp

I was wondering about two Firefox extensions: BetterSearch and Cooliris. Is there any danger of becoming infected with malware by using these extensions and looking at the previews that they provide? I may be wrong, but I could swear that I've heard that just opening the page of a bad site can infect a PC. So, are these a safe precaution before making that final decision on whether or not to click and visit the site/link? Thank you to all who take the time to reply.

anytime you preview a page, you are taking a chance - even with yahoo beta preview, hotmail, outlook, or any email client. You treat them just like any other page you visit.

[rlprlp]

Thank you for the reply. However, could you please clarify, as my question has nothing to do with e-mail. These are Firefox extensions that show you previews of search engine results and links. (Just like the ones that are found all the time right here in CTH posts.) I'm going to confess why I ask: I have seen too many links here at CTH that have turned my McAfee SiteAdvisor button red. So I have quit clicking links that members provide. If I really want to know, I look up the item in question myself. But then I learned about these Firefox extensions. Specifically, the Cooliris extension, as the BetterSearch is really just for search results. (Although it does have the capability to preview web sites, too.) I apologize if my original post was not stated clearly enough. I think that I assumed this question would be answered by someone who was experienced with these extensions. Of course, they wouldn't have to be had I provided a description of what these extensions did in the first place.

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by rlprlp

Thank you for the reply. However, could you please clarify, as my question has nothing to do with e-mail. These are Firefox extensions that show you previews of search engine results and links. (Just like the ones that are found all the time right here in CTH posts.) I'm going to confess why I ask: I have seen too many links here at CTH that have turned my McAfee SiteAdvisor button red. So I have quit clicking links that members provide. If I really want to know, I look up the item in question myself. But then I learned about these Firefox extensions. Specifically, the Cooliris extension, as the BetterSearch is really just for search results. (Although it does have the capability to preview web sites, too.) I apologize if my original post was not stated clearly enough. I think that I assumed this question would be answered by someone who was experienced with these extensions. Of course, they wouldn't have to be had I provided a description of what these extensions did in the first place.

the answer is the same and I use cooliris. anytime you view a page you are taking a chance, especially if you are trying to view a strange link. The reason why I mentioned email stuff is they also use the preview feature. I was hoping the comparison would help you understand better but apparently not.

[rlprlp]

Ah, thank you, renegade600. I'm afraid that you did in fact confuse me! I understand now what you were trying to do. Sorry about that. Well, if that's the case, I may as well just click on any link, or continue using the method that I described above. I have no use for Cooliris, then, and will uninstall it from my browser. May I hit you up with one more question? Regarding the BetterSearch extension, are the thumbnail views that it provides safe? Not the previews, that you have to click on the button to ask for, just the thumbnails that it automatically provides in search results? I know that as far as safety goes, these thumbnails do nothing, but I have found them quite handy in relocating web sites that I have visited in the past, as the image helps to jog my memory.

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by rlprlp

May I hit you up with one more question? Regarding the BetterSearch extension, are the thumbnail views that it provides safe? Not the previews, that you have to click on the button to ask for, just the thumbnails that it automatically provides in search results? I know that as far as safety goes, these thumbnails do nothing, but I have found them quite handy in relocating web sites that I have visited in the past, as the image helps to jog my memory.

I am not familar with bettersearch. However, If the thumbnails are nothing more that a snapshot of the page, I really do not see anything wrong with it.

[rlprlp]

Yes, I believe that they are. In fact, with a little research, I have learned that these thumbnails come from a collection stored on the web site of the makers of this extension. I think that I'm good to go! Thank you for all the assistance, renegade600.