# Google swiftly becoming useless? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546 "2004-02-22T21:49:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Future\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9dc877/32.png) [@Future\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Future_Kid)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/21 "2004-02-23T02:15:03Z")
My previous job was as a ‘Search Engine Optimiser’. I used to take clients web sites and ‘optimise’ the HTML code so they would rank better on search engines. This involved META tags and graphic tag wording as well as lots of other things. Google was pretty easy to get listed on, as their ‘spider’, Googlebot, is not human and just runs on a set list of parameters. Things like Yahoo, a directory, were much more difficult. Registering other domain names, I forget what the process is called. It was 3 years ago! Is also easy. Especially with search engines. [www.google.com](http://www.google.com) isn’t that different to a spider than [www.gooogle.com](http://www.gooogle.com). ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/22 "2004-02-23T02:24:12Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > It _is_ spyware, and based on the results you’re getting, it’s about 99.9 percent likely to be CoolWebSearch, flavours of which spooje links to [eZanga.com](http://eZanga.com) and seek99 onto the beginning of Google results. > > You can download the removal tool (already mentioned by **lucwarm** ) here: > > [http://download.softpedia.com:8080/ANTIVIRUS/cwshredder.exe](http://download.softpedia.com:8080/ANTIVIRUS/cwshredder.exe) Thanks, i just downloaded CWShredder and tested it. when i use words like diet or viagra that usually result in 3-4 pages of ads now i don’t get any ads that are out of the ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/23 "2004-02-23T05:35:38Z")
Thanks for the advice, everyone… and I’ve done everything you’ve all suggested… but I still get those links. For example, I just did a search for “Google”. The first half of the page was the links I expected, but the last four or so… \*Search For GOOGLE On [Crawler.com](http://Crawler.com) Search 15 engines for google on [Crawler.com](http://Crawler.com) and download Web Search Tools - now with free pop-up blocker. [is1.crawler.com](http://is1.crawler.com) - Similar pages Find GOOGLE Using the Free 2020 Search Toolbar Having trouble finding google? Get the 2020Search toolbar and say good-bye to those annoying pop-ups. Many other useful features such as: text highlighter, multi-search engine, drag & drop, e-mail results and more. [www.2020search.com](http://www.2020search.com) - Similar pages Find GOOGLE On [WebSearch.com](http://WebSearch.com) Search 15 engines for google on [WebSearch.com](http://WebSearch.com) and download Web Search Tools - now with free pop-up blocker. [is1.websearch.com](http://is1.websearch.com) - Similar pages You Can Find GOOGLE Right Now At [Blowsearch.com](http://Blowsearch.com) Having trouble finding information on: google, why not give us a try? We pull from more than 15 leading search engines in real time giving you some of the best results the internet has to offer. [www.BlowSearch.com](http://www.BlowSearch.com) - Similar pages \* If I do a page refresh, those links disappear and are replaced by more appropriate links. I’m gettin’ pretty steamed, here. Why the hell isn’t something like this illegal? ---
**Author:** ![Vezer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b38774/32.png) [@Vezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vezer)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/24 "2004-02-23T06:00:41Z")
You DO HAVE spyware installed. I swear I swear I swear if anyone says differently they are wrong. Now on to the hard part, my girlfriend’s parents computer ran into this problem. I ran Spyboy, Adaware, BHO Demon (no its not a bho) and I still couldn’t nuke it. This bugger is HARD. If anyone has the solution please let us know. 🙂 You DO HAVE Spyware. You DO HAVE Spyware. Peace out! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/25 "2004-02-23T06:17:56Z")
Wow, you’ve got a stubborn one, **Lightnin’**. Must be a new one. If you have time, download and run [Hijack This!](http://www.mjc1.com/files/merijn/HijackThis.exe). Do a scan, and then press the “Save log” button. Cut and paste the logfile here-- it’ll go some ways to help us identify the nasty for you and get it sorted out. Also-- what OS are you using? Which version of _Internet Explorer_? (Pardon me for assuming it’s IE.) Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/26 "2004-02-23T06:55:50Z")
Here’s my HijackThis! logfile: Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7 Scan saved at 12:51:09 AM, on 2/23/2004 Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106) Running processes: C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\WINNT\System32\DRIVERS\CDANTSRV.EXE C:\WINNT\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\crypserv.exe C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINNT\system32\hidserv.exe C:\WINNT\system32 vsvc32.exe C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe C:\WINNT\system32\Tablet.exe C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard ype32.exe C:\WINNT\system32\CTHELPER.EXE C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em\_exec.exe C:\Program Files\Motherboard Monitor 5\MBM5.EXE C:\WINNT\StartupMonitor.exe C:\WINNT\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe C:\Program Files\Wacom\TabUserW.exe C:\Palm\HOTSYNC.EXE C:\Program Files\stickies\stickies.exe C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.1\_02\bin\javaw.exe C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe C:\WINNT\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Downloads\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = [http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl](http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl) R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default\_Page\_URL = [http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl](http://yahoo.sbc.com/dsl) R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1 R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing O1 - Hosts: this is your pc O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\ycomp5\_3\_12\_0.dll O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx O2 - BHO: (no name) - {2EB60DEB-EB4D-1110-A4C5-0DEF7DE42BE9} - C:\WINNT\system32\rylasiku.dll O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\ycomp5\_3\_12\_0.dll O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon O4 - HKLM…\Run: [AHQInit] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive2k\Program\AHQInit.exe O4 - HKLM…\Run: [IntelliType] “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard ype32.exe” O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi\_MwX.Exe O4 - HKLM…\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Jet Detection] “C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe” O4 - HKLM…\Run: [QuickTime Task] “C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe” -atboottime O4 - HKLM…\Run: [MBM 5] “C:\Program Files\Motherboard Monitor 5\MBM5.EXE” O4 - HKLM…\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup O4 - HKLM…\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install O4 - HKLM…\Run: [MTB] C:\WINNT\MTB.exe O4 - HKLM…\Run: [KVWZAD] C:\WINNT\KVWZAD.exe O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe O4 - HKCU…\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit O4 - Startup: HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\Palm\HOTSYNC.EXE O4 - Startup: Stickies.lnk = C:\Program Files\stickies\stickies.exe O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe O4 - Global Startup: hpoddt01.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE O4 - Global Startup: TabUserW.lnk = C:\Program Files\Wacom\TabUserW.exe O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page - res://C:\WINNT\GoogleToolbar.dll/cmtrans.html O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM) O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger (HKLM) O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - [http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab](http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab) O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - [http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab](http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab) O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - [http://download.yahoo.com/dl/sbcy/yinst.cab](http://download.yahoo.com/dl/sbcy/yinst.cab) O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - [http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/20030530/qtinstall.info.apple.com/bonnie/us/win/QuickTimeInstaller.exe](http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/20030530/qtinstall.info.apple.com/bonnie/us/win/QuickTimeInstaller.exe) O16 - DPF: {6CB5E471-C305-11D3-99A8-000086395495} - [http://toolbar.google.com/data/en/deleon/1.1.48-deleon/GoogleNav.cab](http://toolbar.google.com/data/en/deleon/1.1.48-deleon/GoogleNav.cab) O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - [http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2003120501/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab](http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2003120501/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab) O16 - DPF: {75D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin.SecureControl) - [http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/ActiveSecurity.cab](http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/ActiveSecurity.cab) O16 - DPF: {8EDAD21C-3584-4E66-A8AB-EB0E5584767D} - [http://toolbar.google.com/data/GoogleActivate.cab](http://toolbar.google.com/data/GoogleActivate.cab) O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - [http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?37426.8943055556](http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?37426.8943055556) O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - [http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab](http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab) O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - [http://anu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader\_v5.cab](http://anu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader_v5.cab) O16 - DPF: {E504EE6E-47C6-11D5-B8AB-00D0B78F3D48} (Yahoo! Webcam Viewer Wrapper) - [http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yvwrctl.cab](http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yvwrctl.cab) O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} (Yahoo! Companion) - [http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/toolbar/yiebio4024.cab](http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/toolbar/yiebio4024.cab) The only thing that I can’t really identify is rylasiku.dll, up in the BHO section. I’ve never heard of that, and can’t find any references to it on the net. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/27 "2004-02-23T08:12:44Z")
I agree that’s the most likely candidate. It’s a Browser Helper Object, and one nobody seems to have heard of. Try removing it with Hijack This! Just check the box beside it and press the “Fix” button. It will be automatically backed up, and will be easy to restore if it turns out to be something you needed. (Under the config button.) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/28 "2004-02-23T08:31:39Z")
I agree that Google isn’t what it was. Actually on “tech tv” the cable channel, Kevin Rose of the screen savers even noted that due to the high number of people linking it is becoming more of a hassle. Yahoo announced they won’t use Google anymore. I am actually going back to Altavista. They seem to be getting better. The problem is with google I have a job interview with a hotel tommorrow. I typed in the hotel name. I got 18 pages of so called “internet reservation services” (example expedia, priceline etc etc) coming up first before the actual hotel website. I had to wade thru that garbage. I went to Altavista and it came up on the first page. It’s like eBay is having this problem too. People are putting irrelivent words in their items to sell just to pull that item up in a search. They often make them the same color as the backround so it doesn’t show to the buyer. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/29 "2004-02-23T08:41:31Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > The problem is with google I have a job interview with a hotel tommorrow. I typed in the hotel name. I got 18 pages of so called “internet reservation services” (example expedia, priceline etc etc) coming up first before the actual hotel website. I had to wade thru that garbage. > > I went to Altavista and it came up on the first page. Hmmm… That sounds pretty extreme. I’m not convinced this isn’t evilware. Would you mind terribly saying what you searched for? ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/30 "2004-02-23T11:06:24Z")
It’s not necessarily spyware… > **[Google is going to shit](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=235271)** > > One of the few remaining pure and good things on this spam encrusted, porn saturated, wholly owned subsidiary of corporate motherfuckers we call the internet, and it’s steadily going to hell. On virtually every search I do, the first 10 hits are... > **[What's Happening To Google?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=219463)** > > Is Google losing the war with the rising tide of crud on the internet? Google is the best place to search for information on the web. But what’s gone wrong with it today? I’m trying to do some research and it seems that an increasing number of... I’ve no problem with adverts, as such. But when my searches come back infested with links to “link farms” that offer nothing but links to cruddy online shops that have zero information content, and may even no longer sell the product I’m researching, then I begin to question what’s happening to google. I was trying to find out about the memory card standard “SmartMedia” the other day. You, know, useful information about what it could do for me. Yet all I could get was pages upon pages of shopping sites that wanted to sell me some without telling me anything about them. The web use to be a library. It had it’s trashy shelves, but what it had was information and Google was the index. But now the library has been surrounded by downmarket malls and hucksters and Google has trouble seeing past them. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/31 "2004-02-23T11:21:34Z")
[QUOTE=Markxxx] I agree that Google isn’t what it was. Actually on “tech tv” the cable channel, Kevin Rose of the screen savers even noted that due to the high number of people linking it is becoming more of a hassle. Yahoo announced they won’t use Google anymore. I am actually going back to Altavista. They seem to be getting better. The problem is with google I have a job interview with a hotel tommorrow. I typed in the hotel name. I got 18 pages of so called “internet reservation services” (example expedia, priceline etc etc) coming up first before the actual hotel website. I had to wade thru that garbage. [QUOTE] I have always, always felt this about Google. I never understood why people used to use it rather than Yahoo! - particularly in the days when Yahoo! also used Google, so doing a Yahoo! search effectively included both services anyway. I often have to search for hotels and travel stuff, and get just the problems that you mention. The top hit should _always_, ALWAYS be the actual hotel or corporation itself, NEVER other websites referring to it. I get the impression that Google is trying to smarten up its act. It has received so much negative press recently that is has no real choice, if it wants to stay popular. The only reason I use Google at all is because of the convenient search tab in Safari. I tried to hack Safari to change the search to a Yahoo! search, but something went badly wrong, thank god I had made a safety duplicate of the app. I also tried AmbrosiaSW’s “iseek” - but don’t find its location at the top of my screen convenient, I want something integrated into the actual browser. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/32 "2004-02-23T14:38:43Z")
It looks like it’s “Rylasiku”. After much deliberation, I removed it through HijackThis!, and it appears that my Google hits have returned to normal. The thing is, I haven’t been able to find any information about Rylasiku, and I’m usually pretty darn good at finding stuff on the 'Net. Anyone else heard of it? Whatever it is, it’s sneaky as hell. It’s a Browser Helper Object, and it seems to do its level best to stay off of your radar. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/33 "2004-02-23T14:43:53Z")
> [@Lightnin'](#): > > It looks like it’s “Rylasiku”. After much deliberation, I removed it through HijackThis!, and it appears that my Google hits have returned to normal. > > The thing is, I haven’t been able to find any information about Rylasiku, and I’m usually pretty darn good at finding stuff on the 'Net. Anyone else heard of it? Some BHOs are using random filenames. See [http://www.sysinfo.org/bhoinfo.php](http://www.sysinfo.org/bhoinfo.php). The examples don’t seem to cover this rylasiku, but it’s probably the same trick. Since Googles gives no hits for “rylasiku,” it’s a good bet it’s a random name. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/34 "2004-02-23T17:38:56Z")
Would it kill somebody to please post an actual search they did that they don’t like, and preferably say _which_ hit they think is bad? I might be undergoing some sort of apologist cognitive dissonance, but I just don’t see what people are complaining about. I searched for _albuquerque holiday inn_. On Google, Yahoo, and AltaVista, it seems to be a bunch of legitimate (if unimpressive) booking agencies. In fact, in all three cases, the sponsored links at the top were more useful than the actual hits. 🙂 I searched for _smartmedia memory card information_. [Google’s first hit](http://www.epinions.com/content_44580114052) seems pretty good, though I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for. [Altavista](http://www.pcmcia.org/smartmedia.htm)’s too, and [Yahoo](http://www.sandisk.com/retail_smartmedia_card.html)’s looks good, if a little terse. I searched for _“lord of the rings”_ (which is more my style, and which you’d think would be a popular search). After the sponsored links on Yahoo and Altavista, there’s nothing but the standard official sites and fan sites. In the search for _badger airbrush parts_, I admit, Google does start with two “link farms” the others don’t have. I tried a few other searches I thought would be similar - _inkjet cartridges_, _panasonic telephone parts_, _buy fruit online_ - but was unable to reproduce the results. This one definitely puzzles me. ---
**Author:** ![hroeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@hroeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hroeder)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/35 "2004-02-23T18:08:53Z")
This is page 1 of my search on google for badger airbrush parts (almost all seem reasonable): Buy Badger at Wholesale [www.AirBrush-Depot.com](http://www.AirBrush-Depot.com) Badger Airbrushes, Parts & Access- ories direct. Free shipping avail. Sponsored Link Sponsored Links Full Line Airbrush Sales Badger, Iwata, Paasche, Createx. We offer low prices & free shipping [http://www.dixieart.com](http://www.dixieart.com) Interest: Discounted Airbrushes Up to 50% off Retail Low prices, Large selection [www.hobbylinc.com](http://www.hobbylinc.com) Interest: Airbrush Badger at eBay Register for free at eBay and begin buying and selling today. Affiliate [www.ebay.com](http://www.ebay.com) Interest: Airbrush - Cheaper Prices Find prices, tax, shipping, store ratings & reviews for Airbrush. [www.nextag.com](http://www.nextag.com) Interest: See your message here… Badger Airbrush Parts filter only from Motorcycle Parts and … Motorcycle Parts and Accessories. search. Badger Airbrush Parts filter only. 300 GPH & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush … [www.agogomcrent.com/](http://www.agogomcrent.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-filter-only.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages Badger Airbrush Parts 3 4 from Motorcycle Parts and Accessories Motorcycle Parts and Accessories. search. Badger Airbrush Parts 3 4. 300 GPH & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush … [www.agogomcrent.com/Badger-Airbrush-Parts-3-4.html](http://www.agogomcrent.com/Badger-Airbrush-Parts-3-4.html) - 24k - Cached - Similar pages [More results from [www.agogomcrent.com](http://www.agogomcrent.com) ] Badger Airbrush Parts fine needle from Online Shopping … search. Badger Airbrush Parts fine needle. … CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION Buy Badger Airbrush Parts medium needle (Buy Auto Parts) A variety of airbrush parts. … [www.inquizit.com/](http://www.inquizit.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-fine-needle.html - 12k - Cached - Similar pages Badger Airbrush Parts propel regulator from Online Shopping Online Shopping. search. Badger Airbrush Parts propel regulator. Airbrush Parts & Airbrush Parts & Auto Darkening & Parts – rank: 1000 … [www.inquizit.com/](http://www.inquizit.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-propel-regulator.html - 9k - Cached - Similar pages [More results from [www.inquizit.com](http://www.inquizit.com) ] Airbrush Department … Supplies… Badger Iwata Paasche Thayer Chandler Airbrushes Airbrush Parts, Golden Dr PH Martin Schminke Airbrush Colors… Artboxes … [www.reuels.com/reuels/page168.html](http://www.reuels.com/reuels/page168.html) - 11k - Feb 22, 2004 - Cached - Similar pages Airbrush Parts - Badger We stock Airbrush parts for Badger, Iwata, Paasche and Thayer Chandler airbrushes. … A large selection of Badger Airbrush Replacement Parts. … [www.reuels.com/reuels/badger\_airbrush\_parts.html](http://www.reuels.com/reuels/badger_airbrush_parts.html) - 13k - Cached - Similar pages [More results from [www.reuels.com](http://www.reuels.com) ] [Misterart.Com](http://Misterart.Com):: Badger Airbrush Parts - Head Washer For Model 100 … … Return to Main [Misterart.Com](http://Misterart.Com):: Badger Airbrush Parts - Head Washer For Model 100, 150, And 200 (Airbrushes & Accessories) - 62216. … [www.notsmallmall.com/](http://www.notsmallmall.com/) MisterArtcom\_Badger\_Airbrush\_Parts\_head\_washer\_for\_model\_100\_150\_and\_200\_Airbrushes\_… - 60k - Cached - Similar pages [Misterart.Com](http://Misterart.Com):: Badger Airbrush Parts - 14 In. Diameter Compressor … … Current Product: [Misterart.Com](http://Misterart.Com):: Badger Airbrush Parts - 14 In. Diameter … Return to Main [Misterart.Com](http://Misterart.Com):: Badger Airbrush Parts - 14 In. Diameter … [www.notsmallmall.com/](http://www.notsmallmall.com/) MisterArtcom\_Badger\_Airbrush\_Parts\_14\_in\_diameter\_compressor\_adaptor\_Airbrushes\_Acce… - 58k - Cached - Similar pages [More results from [www.notsmallmall.com](http://www.notsmallmall.com) ] badger airbrush parts … yamarider. Posts: 5 Joined: 1/4/2004 From: , IA, AMERICAN SAMOA (USA) Status: offline. badger airbrush parts, … RE: badger airbrush parts (in reply to yamarider), … [www.rcuniverse.com/forum/badger\_airbrush\_parts/](http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/badger_airbrush_parts/) m\_1411132/tm.htm - 36k - Cached - Similar pages Badger Airbrush Parts complete fine head assembly Online Shopping … Badger Airbrush Parts complete fine head assembly. … Badger Airbrush ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/36 "2004-02-23T21:08:01Z")
> [@](#): > > **RealityChuck** : Since Google gives no hits for “rylasiku,” it’s a good bet it’s a random name. Smarter than most, since it doesn’t look _obviously_ random. Sounds like a porn-star name or something. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/37 "2004-02-23T22:10:50Z")
> [@Lightnin'](#): > > It looks like it’s “Rylasiku”. After much deliberation, I removed it through HijackThis!, and it appears that my Google hits have returned to normal. > > The thing is, I haven’t been able to find any information about Rylasiku, and I’m usually pretty darn good at finding stuff on the 'Net. Anyone else heard of it? > > Whatever it is, it’s sneaky as hell. It’s a Browser Helper Object, and it seems to do its level best to stay off of your radar. This is probably a variation of the “atoque” browser hijacker, that apparently was unleashed about two weeks ago. The reason you didn’t find any refernce s when you googled ‘rylasku’ is because ‘atoque’ _renames itself to a randomly generated name every time it is installed._ Do a file find for a file named pup.exe; if it exists, you were hit by ‘atoque’. You can safely delete pup.exe. [Here is a good thread on another board about atoque](http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=4218&highlight=atoque); if you do a form search on that board for “atoque” you will see dozens of recent threads about it. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/38 "2004-02-23T22:32:20Z")
Can someone tell me how one gets infected with such adware in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/39 "2004-02-23T23:14:37Z")
> [@hroeder](#): > > This is page 1 of my search on google for badger airbrush parts (almost all seem reasonable): > > See your message here… > Badger Airbrush Parts filter only from Motorcycle Parts and … > Motorcycle Parts and Accessories. search. Badger Airbrush Parts filter > only. 300 GPH & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush … > [www.agogomcrent.com/](http://www.agogomcrent.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-filter-only.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages > > Badger Airbrush Parts 3 4 from Motorcycle Parts and Accessories > Motorcycle Parts and Accessories. search. Badger Airbrush Parts 3 > 4. 300 GPH & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush & Badger Airbrush … > [www.agogomcrent.com/Badger-Airbrush-Parts-3-4.html](http://www.agogomcrent.com/Badger-Airbrush-Parts-3-4.html) - 24k - Cached - Similar pages > [More results from [www.agogomcrent.com](http://www.agogomcrent.com) ] > > Badger Airbrush Parts fine needle from Online Shopping > … search. Badger Airbrush Parts fine needle. … CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION Buy Badger > Airbrush Parts medium needle (Buy Auto Parts) A variety of airbrush parts. … > [www.inquizit.com/](http://www.inquizit.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-fine-needle.html - 12k - Cached - Similar pages > > Badger Airbrush Parts propel regulator from Online Shopping > Online Shopping. search. Badger Airbrush Parts propel regulator. Airbrush > Parts & Airbrush Parts & Auto Darkening & Parts – rank: 1000 … > [www.inquizit.com/](http://www.inquizit.com/) Badger-Airbrush-Parts-propel-regulator.html - 9k - Cached - Similar pages > [More results from [www.inquizit.com](http://www.inquizit.com) ] It was these four (the first four non-sponsored hits) that I was referring to as “link farms”. I agree that the rest seem reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546/40 "2004-02-23T23:18:34Z")
**CurtC** , typically it’s bundled with “free” applications, the developers of which make money by selling their users down the river. For example, Kazaa, Morpheus, and Realplayer are all bundled with spyware, and by clicking through their licenses during the install you agree that you’re fine with it and will absolve them of any responsibility for damage or inconvenience. If it’s free and sounds like it’s designed to appeal to the congenitally stupid, there’s a good chance it only exists to deliver spyware/adware. See Bonzi Buddy/Hotbar/Toptext/SmileyCentral/Incredimail, etc. People have been sued over adware that just makes it appear as though random pop-ups are associated with unaffiliated webpages. (“[Straightdope.com](http://Straightdope.com) is flogging Steve Martin’s Penis Cream! WTF?”) Since Google has gone public, I think they owe it to their investors to crush _like bugs_ anyone associated with hijackers that insert advertising directly into a Google search result, masquerading as Google content. It is demonstrably creating a poor perception of the product for many people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-swiftly-becoming-useless/230546.md?page=3)