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Free computer protection, free mobile phone search service

Clark loves free services and has 2 new ones to share with you. The first comes from a company called HauteSecure.com, which protects your computer if you mistype a web address. Too often criminals will register bogus domains that may be just one letter off from a legitimate address. When you hit those fake sites, your computer may become infected with a keylogger program. So the free download at HauteSecure.com protects you by blocking sites that could threaten your computer.

The second service Clark has discovered is called ChaCha.com. This free mobile phone service allows you to ask a question by calling 800-2-CHA-CHA. You then receive a text with your answer. It's like Google for your cell phone. So far the results have been hit or miss. While it worked well during a pre-show meeting, it returned a wrong answer when Clark tried it out on air by asking, "Who won the 1964 World Series?" He received a dud answer via text message -- The New York Yankees -- in about half an hour. It was the St. Louis Cardinals who beat the Yanks in 7 games!


Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • Free mobile search
    I'm somewhat surprised you're promoting this kind of "service". My understanding of any kind of free "service" in which you are providing your cell phone number in order for that service to be provided, is thah you are establishing a business relationship with that service provider. Once you have that relationship, then you are not covered by the do-not-call protection, since business relationship are exempt from that rule. After that is spam galore on your cell phone.
  • try this...
    It's not new technology for sure but just call the reference desk at your local library...I listened to the on-air question and know the answer would have been answered much faster (and correctly, I suspect)without worrying about the spam coming later.
  • ChaCha: (cont.) It happened again
    Well, I guess it's confirmed now- chacha is a confirmed spammer. Today when I awoke and picked up my cellphone I had 2 text messages (spam) from an online dating service, date-only.com. Wonder how many of these I'm going to get now? I don't have any message plan on my phone, so I have to pay 15 cents for every text.

    Thanks ChaCha and Clark! :{
  • ChaCha: (cont.)
    I just found some more info regarding ChaCha; it was in a column in my Sunday paper business section by Walter Mossberg. A reader asks the same question-how does ChaCha make money? I do not believe the answer given though because it is in direct contrast to their terms of service page posted on their website.
    A link to his colun can be read online at: http://mailbox.allthingsd.com/
  • ChaCha; be aware & wary
    A caller on yesterday's show raised concerns about ChaCha not being "free" in the sense that it could possibly sell/share your cell# to 3rd party companies which then could spam/text you with ads. Clark and staff said they would look into the Terms of Use and see if they could find anything, but could not verify if they do or do not. Out of curiosity I tried the service once (mistake) after hearing about it on the show. Not many people have my cell# and I do not share it readily however late yesterday afternoon I received a call from uan unknown number and it was a solitation for some discount drug/pharmaceutical plan and I was surprised because the person asked for me by name also. I was asleep at the time and didn't think anything about it but after hearing the show last night and the caller's concern it made me wonder if the the call was related to my recent use of ChaCha (more than a coincidence I believe). I can only hope that was the only unsolicited call or text that I receive. I have cancelled by texting stop to 242242 as stated in their terms of service and I will be more careful in the future of whom I give my # to and suggest others do the same...
  • Google SMS
    You can send a text message to GOOGL (46645) on your cell phone for info. For example, type Weather 30205 for conditions and a forecast, or "Mellow Mushroom 30205" for phone numbers. There are many services. The only charge is standard text message rates.
  • 800 CHA CHA
    I called this #. It told me to call another # that was $0.99 a minute. Then it hung up. Twice.
  • chacha.com
    tried to access yhis site but got the ie warning:
    There is a problem with this website's security certificate.

    Needless to say, I didnt proceed.
  • Google has a similar service
    Google has a service I use a lot and like. Just text to 466453 (Google). enter in a business name and zipcode and it will text back the nearest locations. Also gives stocks quotes, movies, flights and more. See details at http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/ I have used it a lot and always have had good results.
  • Google has a free service, too
    You can also text a request (for example, "Weather 30329", or "Italian restaurant Atlanta, GA") to 46645 (G-O-O-G-L -- notice that you leave off the E) and receive free results via text message in seconds. Or call 800-GOOG411 (800-466-4411) for free Google automated directory assistance.
  • ChaCha.com website
    Yes I had same problem regarding security certificate but I did click on OK and got Cha Cha. Did not received any third party advertisment becuase I did not check on that .
  • ChaCha.com website
    i got the following warning when i clicked on the link to chaCha.com:

    "The security certificate presented by this website was issued for a different website's address.

    Security certificate problems may indicate an attempt to fool you or intercept any data you send to the server"

    did anyone else have this problem?
  • You expressly agree that, as part of the Services provided by ChaCha, you may receive promotional communications, alerts, and **third party advertising materials** from ChaCha via text message.

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This week's poll
The high cost of jet fuel has a lot of people staying at home this summer instead of traveling. Is there a "staycation" in your immediate future?
Yes, I just can't afford a plane ticket and/or hotel room right now.
No, I've saved up all year just to get away for a bit.
Maybe, I have to wait and see how my finances pan out.
see previous polls


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