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Ask Toolbar Now Marked as Unwanted Software by Microsoft

posted by martyb on Saturday June 13 2015, @04:21PM   
from the Ask-and-ye-shall-receive dept.

tonyPick writes:

According to The Register then Older versions of the Ask Toolbar are now considered Malware by Microsoft:

In a June 11 update to its Malware Protection Center site, Microsoft states that older versions of the toolbar, which set itself up as a browser's homepage and redirected all searches through Ask's engine, now contravene Redmond's policies. The latest build is fine, but older Ask toolbars will be hunted down and deleted.

"Older versions of software can restrict or limit your control over your search provider. It can prevent you from disabling or modifying your search provider," said Microsoft's advisory. "This software poses a high threat to your PC."

[...] The bulk of this comes thanks to Java, because for years every Java update for PCs asks if the user would like to install Ask's toolbar. Many a computer user has unthinkingly clicked through and installed the toolbar. Those running Java on OS X have been getting the same opportunity to experience the joy that is Ask's toolbar since March.

Also reported at PCWorld and Geek amongst others.

However as pointed out by the Register this may only affect older versions:

Ask confirmed to The Reg that its current toolbar is "fully compliant with Microsoft policies" and that its software should automatically update to the latest version every time the browser is opened. A spokeswoman said only one per cent of Ask's user base is affected by the change.

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Original Submission

• Anti-virus/malware against any "Ask toolbar" ?Anti-virus/malware against any "Ask toolbar" ? (Score: 4, Interesting) by kaszz on Saturday June 13 2015, @05:25PM

  by kaszz (4211) on Saturday June 13 2015, @05:25PM (#195838) Journal

  Which anti-virus/malware software will shoot and neutralize any version of "Ask toolbar" and other software like it on sight without excuses? Kind of a good test if it's worth its salt so to say..

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Moderation		+2
  Interesting=2, Total=2
  Extra 'Interesting' Modifier		0
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		4

• Re:Anti-virus/malware against any Re:Anti-virus/malware against any (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 13 2015, @06:31PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 13 2015, @06:31PM (#195856)

  My anti-virus said windows is a virus and should be wiped from the drive.

  Parent

  • Re:Anti-virus/malware against any Re:Anti-virus/malware against any (Score: 5, Funny) by Thexalon on Saturday June 13 2015, @09:46PM

    by Thexalon (636) on Saturday June 13 2015, @09:46PM (#195894)

    My anti-virus said windows is a virus

    ... which is a ridiculous claim: Viruses are typically compact and carefully written!

    --
    "Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin

    Parent

    • Re:Anti-virus/malware against any (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 13 2015, @10:12PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 13 2015, @10:12PM (#195901)

      I can't help it if Windows Defender tells me that Windows is a virus, after all, they should know.

      Parent

• Re:Anti-virus/malware against any (Score: 2) by Geotti on Saturday June 13 2015, @08:35PM

  by Geotti (1146) on Saturday June 13 2015, @08:35PM (#195885) Journal

  I'm unsure 'bout Ask specifically, but AdwCleaner [general-changelog-team.fr] usually does a pretty good job.

  Parent