Summary: Browser toolbars come from two places: the browser, and addons or toolbars you ask for. It's easy to ask for toolbars without realizing it.
Where did this new toolbar in my browser? I didn't ask for it.
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Actually it's likely that you did.
Before you protest that you most certainly did not, I need to point out one of the most annoying techniques being used to deploy more and more and more toolbars.
It all counts on your not paying close attention.
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This afternoon I was installing an update to the popular Java runtime, which is software that is used by some websites to provide rich functionality beyond just displaying static pages as I do here.
The update consisted of the normal installation program which proceeded to ask me the normal installation things and agreeing to the software license. (Another annoyance, but that's for another day.)
Then I came to this screen:
I almost without thinking hit Next.
In doing so, I would have been asking to have the Yahoo toolbar installed.
Note the circled item - the option to install the Yahoo toolbar is selected by default. If you're not paying attention and just trying to get the update installed and get on with your life, it's trivially easy to miss the fact that you are asking for a toolbar to be installed.
Personally, I find this very annoying.
I have nothing against the Yahoo toolbar. It's a fine toolbar, and if you want what it offers you should absolutely run out an install it. I don't.
I have nothing against Java or Sun, really. Java also serves an important role for web sites that want to do more than just display pages.
What annoys me is:
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And this installation is not the only case. It's not uncommon at all to see installations that include, somewhere along the line, an "option" to install a toolbar or some other unrelated software.
Why? Typically because they get paid to do so. I can even kinda, sorta understand it for free software as a way to recoup some of the expenses involved, but the practice is certainly not limited to only those.
So aside from griping about the practices of some software vendors, what's the real take-away here?
Pay attention.
Understand what it is you're installing, and read each step of the installation options. You might find that you're about to "ask" for something you didn't really want at all.
Related:
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Toolbars in Internet Explorer: how do I get rid of them? Toolbars in Internet Explorer can be handy, but each means less room for web pages. We look at steps to get rid of most toolbars in Internet Explorer.
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How do I delete history items from my Google tool bar? Deleting Google history takes a few steps, depending on what Google history you mean. Here are step-by-step instructions for deleting Google history.
Article C3710 - April 25, 2009
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
Posted by: Ken B at April 27, 2009 7:18 AMI 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'!!!
Posted by: MmeMoxie at April 28, 2009 11:27 AMI 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.
Posted by: Mark B at April 28, 2009 3:29 PMIt'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.
Posted by: Mark F at April 28, 2009 7:36 PMThere 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.
Posted by: Silver at April 28, 2009 8:31 PMI 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.
Posted by: Chetty at April 28, 2009 10:29 PMI 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/
Posted by: Terry Hollett at April 29, 2009 4:55 AMWhen are companies going to get it into their thick heads that people DO NOT WANT their ridiculous toolbar crap on their computers. We don't want it! We don't need it! And to add insult to injury, they sneak it in the installation program of the program you want to install by having the box already checked on yes. Cute. Real cute. Why don't they leave the box unchecked and let people decide for themselves? I've been using the internet since the early 90's and it was much better then. It's things like this that have turned the internet into a sea of crap.
Posted by: Zachary at April 29, 2009 5:50 PMI almost got caught by the Yahoo toolbar screen in Java update.
in fact, the first couple of times the update was offered to me I Canceled the update because I didn't want another Yahoo toolbar added to Firefox.
I already had one in Firefox, didn't want another.
The 3rd or 4th time around I finally figured out all I had to do was to Uncheck the check box and press the Next button to go on with the update installation.
I'm glad I am not the only one who noticed this update OPTION. ;-)
Posted by: Ed Vance at May 2, 2009 7:32 AMI got the Ask toolbar when I didn't check the box and so I went to the control panel and uninstalled the Ask toolbar software. However, it is still on my browser Firefox and also on IE. Now how do I get rid of it?
Posted by: Bettine Cavanaugh at October 15, 2009 6:07 AM