[clug] Startpage.com

[bc]

On Mon, 30 Dec 2013 01:28:47 +1100
Scott Ferguson <scott.ferguson.clug at gmail.com> wrote:

> On 29/12/13 23:01, bc wrote:
> > Hi, Given the security discussion the other week, I would like some
> > thoughts on Startpage.com I have recently discovered this site and
> > have been using it for about a month with no apparent problems.
> 
> 
> > I get an SSL connection every time.
> 
> I wouldn't put too much stock in SSL if I were you :)
> 
> > 
> > Given that it is redirecting me to google
> 
> 
> It's not redirecting you. It's a search query proxy. They're not the
> first to resell Google search results, the others didn't fare well
> (Google cut them off).
> 
> > and normally redirecting is a no-no
> 
> Only when it's deceptive.
> 
> > I thought I would ask here.
> > 
> > Thanks, Brian
> > 
> 
> I'm afraid I can't see the point of that site. They poorly scrape
> another search engine*1, make a lot of money but have no disernable
> business model other than delivering target ads, the search results
> make Bing look useful, and their privacy expert/researcher/activist
> majored in Marketing (I've listened to her hard sell on US daytime
> television). I note that they are "certified" by EuroPriSe, I'm not
> sure who certified them but they aren't much on SSL (not even close):-
> https://www.european-privacy-seal.eu/
> 
> At best their claims are deceptive. "We DON'T record your IP address"
> is an NSA-like statement - clearly they *do* log IP addresses. Drill
> down and you'll find they "don't keep your IP address for more than
> 48 hours" and "don't use ID cookies". Like the NSA don't keep calls,
> only meta-data (the call collection is outsourced).
> And, yes, they do use cookies... but not always, and we don't use them
> for tracking (a 3rd party could though) and they're harmless (unless
> you value your privacy).  Sigh.
> 
> 
> Not that I'd use DuckDuckGetAway either, even if I trusted their
> marketing speil I *know* not to trust the guy that runs it (his
> previous venture made Ffffacebook look like privacy freaks).
> 
> *1 .htaccess and mod_rewrite can do that for me without needing
> privacy policy not worth the paper they're written on.
> 
> 
> Kind regards

Scott,
Thanks heaps for that response, certainly put things into perspective.
Not being a total geek(not even close really), what did you mean by 
*1 .htaccess and mod_rewrite 
PM me if appropriate.
Thanks,
Brian