Google Pack gets New Security Software, but loses Firefox
The Google Blog just announced that the Google Pack is getting some new software. The two new additions are Symantec’s Norton Security Scan and PC Tools’ Spyware Doctor Starter Edition. Previously the Google Pack had a 6–month trial of Norton Antivirus and Ad-Aware SE Personal for the two security-related tools.
Google doesn’t acknowledge anything about the removal/switch in software tools, so it is unknown why a change came about. I’m not a big fan of Norton software, but I do like the fact that their new offering doesn’t require any kind of subscription. However, the about page for Norton Security Scan does say:
In the event that Norton Security Scan is removed from the Google Pack, the Norton Security Scan service may be discontinued at Symantec’s discretion at any point in time following six (6) months after the date of such removal.
As long as the Security Scan remains part of the Google Pack that means there is at least 6–months left of service for the users. That’s not bad, but I would prefer to see Google bundle a free antivirus solution such as Avast or AVG with the Google Pack.
Now that I look back I also noticed that they removed Mozilla Firefox with the Google Toolbar! I am utterly shocked that they removed Firefox from the package since Google has such close ties with Mozilla. Maybe it is because they offer many other ways to download Firefox from Google, but this one was always a no brainer in my opinion. Then I thought to myself that maybe Google recognized that I was visiting the site using Firefox so it didn’t offer that as a download option. I pulled up the Google Pack page in Internet Explorer just to see that Firefox was still an absent option.
Despite my disappointment that Firefox was removed, I thought I would share something that some of you may not have realized. You can actually customize what items are available in the Google Pack that you download. If you want you can include just the Google-related software, such as Google Earth, Picasa, and Google Talk so that it is much faster the next time you have to reinstall it. Unfortunately they don’t let you add in things like Firefox which have previously been removed, but here is a list of all the software you can currently choose from:
- Adobe Reader (Learn more)
- Google Desktop (Learn more)
- Google Earth (Learn more)
- Google Photos Screensaver (Learn more)
- Google Talk (Learn more)
- Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer (Learn more)
- Norton Security Scan (Learn more)
- Picasa (Learn more)
- Skype (Learn more)
- Spyware Doctor Starter Edition (Learn more)
| Update: |
As several people have pointed out in the comments below, Firefox is still included in the Google Pack, but since I am using Vista it doesn’t show Firefox in the list of applications. This is because Mozilla has not officially labeled Firefox as Vista-compatible due to a few remaining bugs with the operating system.
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Read more: Google Press Release
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Tags: Freeware, Google, Software
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Actually, Firefox with the Google Toolbar is still showing up as part of the Google Pack for me, I’m not sure what the discrepancy is. This pack is definitely a useful tool when you’re reformatting a computer for someone!
Same here Ryan…Firefox still shows up…and I even cleared my cache to make sure.
Huh..
[quote]*Norton Security Scan detects but does not remove spyware or adware.[/quote]
Well that’s kinda pointless, isn’t it…
By the way, I also see Firefox there still.
Yeah, Firefox shows up for me as well. I would really like to see Google include ClamWin with Packs
Okay, tell me that I’m not crazy. This is a screenshot of what I see when pulling up the Google Pack:
http://tech.cybernetnews.com/w.....irefox.jpg
You’re not crazy, but maybe your browser is.
Here
This is super weird…I just tried it in Opera and Internet Explorer 7 and both don’t show Firefox! The only thing I can think of is that it is reading my operating system and only displaying Vista compatible software?
I’m not surprised the Google isn’t offering a free anti-virus solution, they get paid to distribute the software.
I thought Firefox was Vista Compatible. If it’s not *officially* Vista compatible, then that might be the reason it doesn’t show up.
I am also seeing the same thing…and then something else as well:
…the Optional Software offerings of Real Player, Google Video Player, and GalleryPlayer HD Images don’t show up either on my Vista system, while they do under my XP.
Seems to be that way under both IE and Mozilla engines.
Hmmmm.
That is true, and Google probably wouldn’t be paying $2 for each Google Pack referal from the ads without them being paid to distribute the software.
I was wondering the same thing and just pulled up the Firefox requirements page. Looks like the latest version is only labeled as 98/XP compatible.
Firefox is still part of the Google Pack but isn’t showing up for any Windows Vista system. I have had the same problem.
Just Download Firefox from Google at the following link and it should be added to the Google pack..
http://goo.products.googlepages.com/home22