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ask.com toolbar
Flukie
Posts: 40,578
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Has just appeared on IE. It wasn't there yesterday.
Is there any way of getting rid of it, please? As it's not on my programmes I can't do it that way.
Is there any way of getting rid of it, please? As it's not on my programmes I can't do it that way.
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http://uk.pcmag.com/feature/14164/how-to-remove-the-askcom-toolbar-from-your-browser
If you click too fast through the prompts you miss the checked boxes which included installing the ask tool bar.
No biggie to remove, just close IE and remove it from add/remove programs.
Reboot to be sure and you should be good.
It's not On the add/rremove programmes, as I said in my first post. If it was, even thick me would be able to get rid of it.
I already did read that. I googled the problem before I came on here. They all basically said go to control panel, and programmes and remove it.
It doesn't help because its not on my programmes so I can't remove it.
Hence why I came on here.
Seems like I'm stuck with it.
I haven't had a java update, so I didn't click onto anything.
It just appeared today.
Thanks for trying to help.
Did you notice this
http://www5.pcmag.com/media/images/392083-controlpanel.jpg?thumb=y
Where the Ask toolbar is masquerading as an Avira toolbar? Are you absolutely certain that there is nothing by Ask in the Publishers column?
Yahoo! Search masquerades under Avast! Search. The Avast! Browser Cleanup Tool now encourages you to set your search to Yahoo! (rather than what it might have been previously). MySearch masquerades as AVG Secure Search.
It's becoming a pandemic
These things rarely if ever just appear out of nowhere. It very likely came bundled with something else that you downloaded and installed. Java is just one example of a wanted (well that may be debatable in itself ) bit of software that bundles toolbars into the main installer. See this image
http://www6.pcmag.com/media/images/392035-java.jpg?thumb=y
Some I've seen are a bit more subtle than that though.
If you just blindly click the Next button on every screen without bothering to read carefully what the screen is actually saying it is very easy to install all sorts of unwanted crapware on your system.
I have yet to see any installer that bundles this sort of crapware that has the option to install unticked, meaning you actively have to tell the installer to include the add-on. Every single instance I have seen the option is ticked so if you don't pay attention you get the crap ware whether you wanted it or not (usually not).
That is why you should always pay attention to everything the installer puts in front of you and if offered a "Custom" install option always select this to check exactly what crapware it is planning to include alongside the software you thought you were installing.
Control Panel > Java > Advanced Tab > Scroll to the bottom > Under 'Miscellaneous' tick the box for 'Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java'.
Apply > OK etc.
I'm not the most observant but never noticed that before and I always go to the box underneath to untick Java Quick Starter.
It's not 100% effective so still be vigilant but it removed all the checked items on the latest Java update.
You sir, are a legend! Has that snuck in with the latest update or has it been there a while?
The Ask toolbar, previously identified as adware by Avira, became part of the Avira package sometime ago. To get Avira's Webguard service the Ask toolbar had to be installed.
It annoyed many long-time users and a registry hack to remove it didn't work for me so I reluctantly ditched Avira.
Bundling loads of stuff people don't want seems to be the way many free programs are going.
Avast going the same way. If you think Avira is decent AV, stick with it as there aren't any better alternatives anywhere.
Just checked mine and I don't have the suppress sponsors option, does anyone know why?
If it has just been added you might need to upgrade to 7u65 and untick the sponsor offers one last time.
http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp
Thanks for the tip, I've just updated and found it.
I've found a more than adequate alternatives for my machine.
They'd not suit everyone but that's a discussion for AV threads.
At least there's an option not to install bloatware in this instance.
I have used Avira for a good few years and like other free programs it is going downhill with the interface, I don't like the new Malwarebytes for instance so I'm using the old one ......... could be an age thing .
You can install Avira without the webguard and use somtehing like WOT instead.
It probably is an age thing.
I spend most of my internet time on a Chromebook so don't bother with an AV.
I think this we'll be the norm in the near future.