Hi all, I have inadvertently downloaded Ask . com to my netbook and it has taken over my browser. I have tryed downloading a couple of cleaning programs that advertise thay are free but when it comes right down to it they want payment before you can use them. Can any one recomend a good cleaner that really is free. Cheers Landy
Cruising Cruze said
11:24 PM Oct 7, 2014
Hi Dave
the easy way is to reset the computer a few days or a week ago ( System restore )
that is if you know how to do it
other wise try CCleaner
Good luck
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Tuesday 7th of October 2014 11:25:32 PM
landy said
11:51 PM Oct 7, 2014
Thanks CC I have done a restore but it dosen't see ask as a change I will give c cleaner a go tomorow and see if that dos the trick. Thanks again Dave
Joe50 said
01:09 AM Oct 8, 2014
Hi Dave
If that doesn't work, Google 'remove ask' for help which should display links that will give advice for whatever browser you're using. Same thing happened to me a while ago and it took a while to eradicate it ... but it worked.
As an aside, those that use the Java platform (not the Javascript that's built in to all browsers) will probably know that each update/patch will try to install the Ask toolbar into your browser along with all of the crap that comes with it. Apparently Oracle has now provided an option to skip over the page that asks if you want to install the Ask toolbar (or defaults the checkbox to off rather than on). I haven't updated Java for a while so my current edition (version 7 update 55) doesn't have it, but with the latest (and hopefully future) versions, you open the Java control panel, click on the Advanced tab and scroll down the bottom to Miscellaneous, and select "Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java" (of course, this choice isn't selected by default!!!) and hopefully from then on you won't have to remember to untick the box wanting to install the Ask toolbar whenever you install an update.
Joe
Umpie1 said
07:36 AM Oct 8, 2014
My suggestion is:
1. Go to control Panel - Programs & Features, and see if the offending applications is there. If it is, right click the mouse pointer and uninstall.
2. Download Malware Bytes. It is free. Yes you can buy the Pro version but I would not worry with it as the free version does a great job.
oldbobsbus said
09:16 AM Oct 8, 2014
Open your browser.
Click on Tools
Click Internet options/options
General
Home page
backspace/delete everything there.
then if you want Google as your home page
type
www.google.com.au
down the bottom of that window click Apply if thats an option then click OK.
otherwise just click OK.
If that doesn't get rid of it
download
Advanced Uninstaller.
Agree to update it then follow the prompts and uninstall anything you no longer need including any Ask programs..
Hope that all works for you and anyone else with problem software..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 09:17:23 AM
D and D said
10:19 AM Oct 8, 2014
Ask.com is malware rather than a virus and this is why your anti virus software didn't pick it up (assuming that you are running anti-virus software that is). For a comprehensive list of options for removing Ask and it component parts have a look at this. It requires the installation of additional software all of which is free and that will clean out your system. If it doesn't fully remove stuff on the first attempt try switching your computer off and press F8 (on most machines) to start it in safe mode. Once in safe mode run the clean up tools again, reboot and you should be fine.
I run Malwarebytes paid version in addition to my firewall and anti-virus software and this stops most bugs from getting onto the system.
Regards
Dave
The Phantom said
11:45 AM Oct 8, 2014
Dump Windows and install any of the free Linux operating systems.
No more problems
The Phantom
oldbobsbus said
01:54 PM Oct 8, 2014
The Phantom wrote:
Dump Windows and install any of the free Linux operating systems.
No more problems
The Phantom
Here we go again ..
Popcorn anyone..
landy said
02:37 PM Oct 8, 2014
Thanks every one looks like I have a few more things to try. I did go in to the uninstal programs through the control panel but
could not find it on the list. I also Goggled solution's for the problem only to find the free downloads were just that, free to download
but locked until you paid a fee. Any way come scotch o'clock I will have another go.
Cheers All Landy
03_troopy said
04:28 PM Oct 8, 2014
The Phantom wrote:
Dump Windows and install any of the free Linux operating systems.
No more problems
The Phantom
you forgot to mention a few of the bugs you might have to put up with doing that though, especially on older machines. been running Mint 16 on this machine for a few months and have problems of browsers crashing (firefox) only being able to run an older version of swf, and sometimes just crashing for no apparent reason.. but I'm still working on it
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 04:29:00 PM
ALWAYS when installing so called free software use the custom option and read everything before clicking OK.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 07:27:46 PM
The Phantom said
10:40 PM Oct 8, 2014
03_troopy wrote:
you forgot to mention a few of the bugs you might have to put up with doing that though, especially on older machines. been running Mint 16 on this machine for a few months and have problems of browsers crashing (firefox) only being able to run an older version of swf, and sometimes just crashing for no apparent reason.. but I'm still working on it
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 04:29:00 PM
Troopy, also using Mint 16 on one of my computers and use Chromium browser. Never had a crash yet
The Phantom
PeterD said
10:56 PM Oct 8, 2014
Cruising Cruze wrote:
Hi Dave
the easy way is to reset the computer a few days or a week ago ( System restore )
How long ago did this problem occur? When you do a system restore you must select a restore time/date earlier than the date you installed the toolbar. If the install date s too far back then you may find that the restore dates before that time have been deleted (the system only keep the last few restore points.)
Jonathan said
05:50 AM Oct 9, 2014
I run both (paid versions) of SpyHunter4 and Malware Bytes .. picked up and got rid of "ASK" when I had it ..
MS Essentials is my only anti-virus programme .. (and free)
As I do run some older progrmmes that Linux has no capacity to run, I'll stick with what I'm using ..
.. there's a quite new (free) programme available I'm looking at which might be of interest to some of you folk as well ..
Google up "360 Internet Security" ..
cheers
landy said
09:04 PM Oct 9, 2014
Alright Ask has gone. I went back into the instal uninstal program list and second time lucky, dont know why i could not find it there the first time. maybee i was alcoholiclly challenged. Cheers all Landy
I have inadvertently downloaded Ask . com to my netbook and it has taken over my browser.
I have tryed downloading a couple of cleaning programs that advertise thay are free but when it comes
right down to it they want payment before you can use them. Can any one recomend a good cleaner that really
is free.
Cheers Landy
Hi Dave
the easy way is to reset the computer a few days or a week ago ( System restore )
that is if you know how to do it
other wise try CCleaner
Good luck
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Tuesday 7th of October 2014 11:25:32 PM
Thanks again Dave
If that doesn't work, Google 'remove ask' for help which should display links that will give advice for whatever browser you're using. Same thing happened to me a while ago and it took a while to eradicate it ... but it worked.
As an aside, those that use the Java platform (not the Javascript that's built in to all browsers) will probably know that each update/patch will try to install the Ask toolbar into your browser along with all of the crap that comes with it. Apparently Oracle has now provided an option to skip over the page that asks if you want to install the Ask toolbar (or defaults the checkbox to off rather than on). I haven't updated Java for a while so my current edition (version 7 update 55) doesn't have it, but with the latest (and hopefully future) versions, you open the Java control panel, click on the Advanced tab and scroll down the bottom to Miscellaneous, and select "Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java" (of course, this choice isn't selected by default!!!) and hopefully from then on you won't have to remember to untick the box wanting to install the Ask toolbar whenever you install an update.
Joe
1. Go to control Panel - Programs & Features, and see if the offending applications is there. If it is, right click the mouse pointer and uninstall.
2. Download Malware Bytes. It is free. Yes you can buy the Pro version but I would not worry with it as the free version does a great job.
Open your browser.
Click on Tools
Click Internet options/options
General
Home page
backspace/delete everything there.
then if you want Google as your home page
type
www.google.com.au
down the bottom of that window click Apply if thats an option then click OK.
otherwise just click OK.
If that doesn't get rid of it
download
Advanced Uninstaller.
Agree to update it then follow the prompts and uninstall anything you no longer need including any Ask programs..
Hope that all works for you and anyone else with problem software..
-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 09:17:23 AM
Ask.com is malware rather than a virus and this is why your anti virus software didn't pick it up (assuming that you are running anti-virus software that is). For a comprehensive list of options for removing Ask and it component parts have a look at this. It requires the installation of additional software all of which is free and that will clean out your system. If it doesn't fully remove stuff on the first attempt try switching your computer off and press F8 (on most machines) to start it in safe mode. Once in safe mode run the clean up tools again, reboot and you should be fine.
I run Malwarebytes paid version in addition to my firewall and anti-virus software and this stops most bugs from getting onto the system.
Regards
Dave
Dump Windows and install any of the free Linux operating systems.
No more problems
The Phantom
Here we go again ..
Popcorn anyone..
could not find it on the list. I also Goggled solution's for the problem only to find the free downloads were just that, free to download
but locked until you paid a fee. Any way come scotch o'clock I will have another go.
Cheers All Landy
you forgot to mention a few of the bugs you might have to put up with doing that though, especially on older machines. been running Mint 16 on this machine for a few months and have problems of browsers crashing (firefox) only being able to run an older version of swf, and sometimes just crashing for no apparent reason.. but I'm still working on it
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 04:29:00 PM
www.searchenginejournal.com/change-your-default-search-engine-in-firefox-google-chrome-ie/
ALWAYS when installing so called free software use the custom option and read everything before clicking OK.
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 07:27:46 PM
Troopy, also using Mint 16 on one of my computers and use Chromium browser. Never had a crash yet
The Phantom
How long ago did this problem occur? When you do a system restore you must select a restore time/date earlier than the date you installed the toolbar. If the install date s too far back then you may find that the restore dates before that time have been deleted (the system only keep the last few restore points.)
I run both (paid versions) of SpyHunter4 and Malware Bytes .. picked up and got rid of "ASK" when I had it ..
MS Essentials is my only anti-virus programme .. (and free)
As I do run some older progrmmes that Linux has no capacity to run, I'll stick with what I'm using ..
.. there's a quite new (free) programme available I'm looking at which might be of interest to some of you folk as well ..
Google up "360 Internet Security" ..
cheers
Cheers all Landy