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These extensions do not simply change the default search in the browser. They actively hijack searches on the Google and Bing homepages. Test it yourself in a s

These extensions do not simply change the default search in the browser. They actively hijack searches on the Google and Bing homepages. Test it yourself in a sandbox. A user who literally types in Google.com or Bing.com into their browser address bar intends to conduct a search using Google or Bing. Their intention is very clear. It is not to have their search hijacked and taken to a "private" search engine. They also use Bing to power their search results and ads so Microsoft is still able to collect the user's data.

dumbfounder 7y ago
It's still sort of doing what the extension says it is going to do. On the extension page it says "Keep your searches private by redirecting searches that may be tracked to Search Encrypt, a privacy-focused search engine... For your privacy, Search Encrypt intercepts the requests if it's on our list of sites" So it says it hijacks right in the description. On their website for their "search engine" it says "The Search Encrypt encrypts your search terms between your computer and searchencrypt.com. Search Encrypt is supported by sponsored ads featured on our search results page." Which obviously (to you and me anyways, not to others) is also done at Google so there is no actual benefit other than Google doesn't get your data. My conclusion is that, yes, they are scummy and taking advantage of fears of people to make a buck. But is it an outright scam? Not so clear.
- fnord77 7y ago
  your searches are not private though, since one they're decrypted on searchencrypt.com, they're logged as per chinese government reporting laws.
  - dumbfounder 7y ago
    Private is a BS term, can mean just about anything. If it's private from the US gov but not China, that might be "private" enough for some, obviously not for others. But it's also nowhere near certain your assumption is true.
  - d3v 7y ago
    OTOH, otherwise it's the five eyes and NSA logging them. Both alternatives are really, really bad in my opinion.

dumbfounder 7y ago

It's still sort of doing what the extension says it is going to do. On the extension page it says "Keep your searches private by redirecting searches that may be tracked to Search Encrypt, a privacy-focused search engine... For your privacy, Search Encrypt intercepts the requests if it's on our list of sites" So it says it hijacks right in the description. On their website for their "search engine" it says "The Search Encrypt encrypts your search terms between your computer and searchencrypt.com. Search Encrypt is supported by sponsored ads featured on our search results page." Which obviously (to you and me anyways, not to others) is also done at Google so there is no actual benefit other than Google doesn't get your data. My conclusion is that, yes, they are scummy and taking advantage of fears of people to make a buck. But is it an outright scam? Not so clear.

fnord77 7y ago
your searches are not private though, since one they're decrypted on searchencrypt.com, they're logged as per chinese government reporting laws.
- dumbfounder 7y ago
  Private is a BS term, can mean just about anything. If it's private from the US gov but not China, that might be "private" enough for some, obviously not for others. But it's also nowhere near certain your assumption is true.
- d3v 7y ago
  OTOH, otherwise it's the five eyes and NSA logging them. Both alternatives are really, really bad in my opinion.