Disturbing Microsoft's "SmartTags"

[mortario]

We have a couple clients complaint this morning thinking that we changed the link on their website and it only happens with Internet Explorer. I knew about Microsoft SmartTags but didn't expect to arrive this early. Anybody else ever have similar issue where IE re-write your web page? Because I can not re-produce the page.

http://www.alistapart.com/stories/smarttags/

http://www.glassdog.com/smarttags/

Thanks,
Aldo

 

[StockDoctor]

Fargin Bill Gates and his control the world mentality.

 

[DomainPairs]

I've noticed a few sites are starting to turn off smarttags in their meta tags - don't know if it works though.

 

[mortario]

That's what we are doing right now. Just inserting tag that will turn it off.

 

[jag5311]

what is the code to turn them off?

 

[mortario]

From this page:
http://www.glassdog.com/smarttags/

Here's the code:

<meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE">

BUT .. we couldn't verify where the code came from originally (we searched Microsoft website for smart tags with no luck on the subject.). We also don't know whether it's actually working or not since none of us could reproduce the problem. That's the reason why I posted here to see if anybody else have similar problem. For now, we just insert that snip and see if they still complaint.

 

[GeorgeK]

Perhaps it wasn't a MS Smarttag functionality, but similar link-stealing/over-writing from third party software? Those kinds of programs are often bundled with Kazaa or other freeware.

 

[dtobias]

Just dump IE and use Mozilla (www.mozilla.org) or Opera (www.opera.com)... the proprietary MS crap will go right away!

 

[mortario]

Originally posted by GeorgeK
Perhaps it wasn't a MS Smarttag functionality, but similar link-stealing/over-writing from third party software? Those kinds of programs are often bundled with Kazaa or other freeware.

That was I thought at first but since both of them are realtors, I doubt it that they install that kind of software.

 

[DomainPairs]

They may not know that they have installed that kind of software. Some of it auto-installs via Active-X and most people stupidly surf with active-x enabled because they don't know how to turn it off. Disabling it gets rid of Flash banners, stops some auto-installing software like dialers and password harvesters, and backdoor trojans.

 

[GeorgeK]

mortario: have them try running "Ad Aware" (from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ ) to see if it was one of those malevolent programs that is causing the problem.

 

[Silverwire]

I could be wrong, but I think Microsoft shelved the Smarttag feature for IE under industry pressure. It was a big issue over selling keywords in conflict with domain names as well as the intent of the website, but I don't remember clearly. Unless there are some IE beta's that had it in?

 

[mortario]

Thanks GeorgeK .. I have forwarded your link to supports. Last news I get from them was about XP took the blame. They removed the tag and left the page like it was before. So far so good.