Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of Freeserve, recently launched a customised browser designed to protect users' privacy by automatically discarding all traces of a Web session. Named 'Browzar,' the 264K application runs on Windows systems equipped with Internet Explorer 5.5 or later. IE is required because Browzar employs its rendering engine. Browzar sidestepped privacy concerns by explicitly not saving files to a cache or a history log.
Ahmed had said, "We divulge masses of information about our habits, hobbies and financial dealings while online, often unknowingly, and there are times when all of us would rather this was kept private. Using Browzar, anyone worldwide can surf the Web privately in the knowledge that no one will stumble across the sites they have visited when using the same computer."
New reports suggest that these claims may be untrue. The blogging community as well as Internet experts have criticised the browser, calling it 'adware' because it directs web searches to online adverts. Browzar, which sits on top of Microsoft’s browser as a free download in a beta version, has been accused of featuring paid-for sponsored links generated by a program called 'Overture'. Overture, which has been developed by Yahoo is designed to display adverts based on keywords in the search term. This engine is also used by web sites such as Lycos and Orange.
Ahmed said on Monday: "We don't do adware. We have Overture and people are not happy with the way that they show their results. As a response to that, the engine is going to be changed." He added that the new engine would be one that explicitly labels its sponsored results as such.
The problems extend beyond Overture, however. Bloggers such as Scott Hanselman have pointed out that Browzar does not erase all traces of activity as it claims, leaving some pages in the cache of Internet Explorer, the browser on which the Browzar application depends.
Ahmed said he had been 'corresponding with Scott'. He said Browzar was 'currently investigating that situation' and would 'come up with an update to fix it'.
Other inconsistencies are also apparent. For example, logging into a Google Account through its homepage and then shutting the Browzar application, leaves you still logged into Google if you then visit it in IE. "It's still in beta form. We'd be more than happy to listen to anyone and make appropriate changes.", says Ahmed.
