Why do I suddenly have another toolbar in my browser?

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As Leo pointed out, many legitimate programs, software, downloads, etc include various toolbars as part of the installation. I found out from personal experience that certain Browser Helper Objects (BHO) can also install unwanted toolbars and other malware.

A BHO is a 'plug-in' for Internet Explorer which allows software developers to customize and control browsing sessions. When IE is launched, the Registry is referenced and the BHO is injected into the browser (typically making itself known with a new and unwanted toolbar, a new button, etc.) Once a BHO is active, it has access to all the events and properties of a browsing session (and may cause popup ads to appear, or hijack your home page, etc).

Leo published a previous article on how to manage these kinds of add-ons.

http:// ask-leo.com/why_do_i_suddenly_have_another_toolbar_in_my_browser.html

Sorry. I copied the wrong URL for Leo's previous article. This is the correct link:

http:// ask-leo.com/mwsbardll_what_is_it_and_why_is_it_generating_an_error.html

I never clicked on this sneaky option, ever. Why? Perhaps because when I first started using the web I was so unsure about what I was doing I really did read all the screens. Doing this is so deceptive, the people that do it should be ashamed. Sadly, I see it more and more. And like Leo says doing it in updates??? Sadly, one of my favorite programs, CCleaner-and I think Leo has mentioned it-does it every time you update.

Note, however, that ccleaner comes in two versions. "CCleaner Slim" comes without the toolbar. I've never installed the "regluar" ("fat"?) version, so I can't say if it has the option to not install the toolbar, though i suspect it does.

http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

I tried to not have 'Automatic' Updates. Yes, I want to be notified about updates, but, having 'Automatic' Updates can cause lots of problems. I don't even have Microsoft's Updates set up to download anything. I learned a long, long time ago, when you allow a software or program to just 'do it's thing', that is when you find strange things going on with your computer.

The only exception to my rule, is my aVast! automatic updates. Anti-Virus updates are pertinent for security on your computer. The rest of my programs, I update manually, just for the reasons mentioned.

I understand why companies do this, it is to generate money for them. If, you really think about it, this 'added' software aspect usually only comes with the FREE versions. Paid versions, don't need this and customers would complain loudly that they had been 'ripped off'!!!

I happened to look at my parents computer the last time I was home. It had so many tool bars on it you could almost not see anything on the screen. They had no idea how to remove a tool bar. Sad! This practice should be stopped.

It's almost offensive how these once-legit programs have toolbar install options checked by default. And like Mark B said, you see many computers with half a dozen toolbars installed at once.

There are many softwares contain toolbar installation option. During the installation make sure toolbar selection is canceled. Thus, your browser would not have a "suddenly" toolbar.

I download from internet numerous softwares to try it out and I never had an unwanted toolbar/BHO in my computer. Invariably I have found the option not to install the toolbar/ unwanted BHO. Because of the commercial implications for the software provider they have a right, in my opinion to offer any optional toolbar, by default 'yes'. The best thing to do is to pay a little attention before clicking 'next' or 'yes' button.

I had to clean out someones computer at one time. They complained that their internet was slow and one of the first things I noticed was they had 4 or 5 toolbars. One thing you forgot to mention is they these things are always working in the background doing something.

So - here's a question for you:
How many tool bars are to many? My answer 1. Everything offered in toolbars are now offered in most browsers; pop-up blocking for example.

And is it really that hard to go to Google or Yahoo to do a search. Computers have really made people lazy and impatient when we start crying over seconds.

http://www.geocities.com/terryhollett2003/

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