Is Ask.com taking over the world?

I find that the option to install this POS ask.com now available by default in almost every program I tend to install! What gives?

And what's sad, I understand that FREEWARE companies need to make some money but what about paid software? I have Nero 11 and it also has the Ask.com toolbar with its homepage as options by default!

Please answer the following questions:

1) Do software developers/companies get paid to include the ask.com toolbar in their apps?

2) So even if I do install the Ask.com toolbar and set their homepage, what benefit does ask.com get?? is it like gonna land them a fortune or something if I am using their toolbar?

3) Some apps now also have Google Chrome as a default option during installation, again, why does Google want to force people to use their crappy browser? and how come reputed companies such as Mozilla don't need to force people to use their browser yet millions of people do

 

You don't have too install Ask tool bar its just a waste of space.And kinda worth less just use Google.Bing is all so junk.Just don't install any of them

 

To answer your questions:
1) yes, in most cases, the developer is getting paid to include the toolbars.

2)They get the benefit of tracking what you do on the internet, where you buy things, how you pay for them and so on. They then sell that information to companies that then target you for their ads based on your browsing and buying habits.

3) The Google Chrome browser has the same tracking capabilities as the Google and Ask toolbars.

In my opinion, virtually all toolbars are spyware.

 

The key to avoiding unwanted toolbars is to stop and carefully read each part of a new software install or update.

Companies like Adobe, AVG, Advanced System Care (IObit) and many others bet on the fact most people click on "YES", "RUN", "ACCEPT", "CONTINUE", etc. as fast as possible without carefully reading what each screen involves.

The "opt-out" for the toolbar is usually the last screen in an install where the user must make a choice. If you don't want the toolbar, uncheck the box or choose "decline".

If you've already accidentally installed them, either disable them in your browser's add-ons or remove them using Windows Control Panel.

 

>> Companies like Adobe, AVG, Advanced System Care (IObit) and many others bet on the fact most people click on "YES", "RUN", "ACCEPT", "CONTINUE", etc. as fast as possible without carefully reading what each screen involves. <<

Excellent and succinct answer by gman863!
Kudos, my friend! (Four **** Stars!)​

To answer the OPs original basic question/gripe regarding toolbar installs: Sometimes developers offer toolbars during the installations of their programs and utilities in order to support future development - it is as simple as that. They get a miniscule fee for every individual program that is downloaded and installed. Consequently, these small fees add up in time so that they can continue to offer programs free of charge - as well as update them periodically. Most of the time, the vast majority of such programs "offer" these during the installation process and the user can then "opt out" if they wish to. It's entirely up to the user to decide whether or not this "hassle" is worth it in order to use the FREE program. My advice would be to not to install ANY such programs especially if you are in a hurry to do so; or you may suffer the results of an unwanted toolbar (and/or any other adware or nagware.) I can sympathize with how the original poster berryracer feels, though... However, as always my advice would be: "Let the Downloader Beware!"

To give you an example of this type of situation, my brother called me last month and asked if I would stop by and take a look at his next-door neighbor's (newer model) computer; because it was evidentially running really slowly "for no apparent reason" and he couldn't figure out why. When I started the computer up it took like 3-4 minutes to completely boot up and I could clearly and immediately see what the root of the problem was: It was simply because he had installed so many unnecessary toolbars (like 8 or 9, I think it was); while the was loading, these were draining valuable system resources, hence slowing down the computer in the process. Evidently his two young daughters had been constantly downloading programs and games and had "unknowingly" carelessly installed all of the toolbars as well as numerous other adware and spyware onto the computer.

To fix this problem; I simply downloaded Malwarebytes for the adware/spyware as well as the Slim Computer program, which is an excellent free Microsoft certified utility that allows users to identify and remove all of the unneeded pre-installed programs, toolbars, Trial Offers, unnecessary startup entries, shortcuts and demo programs and links. Users can also disable unneeded services that needlessly consume system valuable resources.

Important Side Notes: If you decide to try it out; during the installation process; the SlimComputer program also "offers" the user the option to install AVG toolbar and change to an AVG homepage. If you do not want these changes simply "uncheck" those two checkboxes. After SlimComputer is installed and you run it; all applications that may be potentially unwanted will be displayed after the scan. You can select and delete the applications that you wish to remove by clicking Remove button. Additionally, all removed applications can be restored (if required) from the Restore tab. This way users can easily re-install any application that might have accidentally been deleted.

You can download SlimComputer from right here at Major Geeks at the following download link. BTW, an excellent step-by-step tutorial (with pics and all); for using SlimComputer can be found here.

Good Luck! -- COMP​

 

Which is why I prefer honest software asking for an honest fee. I can understand the way it works; I work for a living and want to get paid; I therfore understand programmers charging for software.

Free does not work ... there is always some catch, missing features, spyware, or other non-sense. If I like something I want to buy it and keep it, not baby the ad market.

 

I also understand the need to finance development of free software.

However, I draw the line where software is bundled with spyware (Ask toolbar), and the installer tries to trick users into installing it (or install it anyway, even if the users think they have opted out, as Foxit Reader does).

Ask.com is not going to take over the world, and it is certainly not going anywhere on my computers!

 

I wanted the Codec pack from the home page today.

Guess what I have now, even AFTER unchecking.

Ask Toolbar from Hell.

 

shark007 installed Bing and Ask. I had thoughts of VLC but was wanting to try the company path for a change..... I did opt for LibreOffice since all my files are encoded there anyway.

Thanks for your insight Plodr, why Portable VLC?

 

I believe the reason was clear:

 

Installed Avast Free yesterday, the updated version. In the past Google Chrome had an opt out option, no longer I'm afraid. Easy enough to uninstall, using Revo of course. Guess free doesn't imply freedom as of late. Also opted out of other install options as well. Avast -1, Google -2. Avira +1 Dogpile +2 :-D

 

I also noticed that Ask.com on my Avast update. Looks like their back into marketing their site.
It is annoying...

 

I installed Avast! version 7.0.1426 Final which I downloaded from the Major Geeks download page.

The first dialog screen of the installation process clearly shows a check box to designate whether to install the Google web browser.
It is checked by default, but I Unchecked it and do Not have the Google browser installed.

Opera is my default browser and there is No Ask toolbar or Google toolbar installed.
I checked Internet Explorer 8, Firefox and Pale Moon and none of them have the Ask toolbar.

There are Three options shown for the Avast install process:

• Express Install
• Compatible Install
• Custom Install

The first Two are large buttons, but the Custom option is only a link and not so clearly indicated.
I used the Custom install process and had no problems.

I have found that the best way to avoid unwanted "surprise" installs is to choose the Custom option if one is available,
and look carefully at each screen presented. If there is something that I do Not understand, I will Cancel the process
and do some research.

Also, if I anticipate any questions or problems, I first make a Registry backup with ERUNT,
and then create a new Restore Point.
I also have Revo Uninstaller to do a clean uninstall.

BTW, I saw that MA took my suggestion and added ERUNT to the Top Freeware Picks in the Backup section. :cool :dancer

 

It's recommended for security software to use their own uninstaller software tools/utility instead of Revo Uninstaller.

So to uninstall Avast one would use first the Add/Remove and then the Avast Uninstaller Tool in Safe Mode to clean up any leftovers as well as a botched uninstall. There are usually some instructions on how to use these uninstall tools. Therefore always read the instructions prior to uninstalling.

Here's for instance the uninstall utility/tool for Avast in how to use it. http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Yep, it's like mjnc wrote, I've also used the custom install for Avast Free and no toolbars or Chrome and deselected also some other features that I will never use.

 

This is a bit off topic for this thread, and Revo Uninstaller has been discussed in earlier threads,
but I think it is important to note that Revo does not ignore or by-pass the applications built-in Uninstaller.

The following screen shot should clear up questions about that.
Note particularly the description of the first Uninstall Mode.



As for Avast, I would recommend disabling the internet connection and the Avast active shields before an uninstall.