What did Firefox do that gave us Ask.com search engine that can't be killed?
IE doesn't take us there, but Firefox does....and ask.com's solution to obliterate their search engine is bogus. How do we make Ask.com go to never-never land?
All Replies (2)
It can change several preferences. For detail of what to change see this forum post - http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=5069645#p5069645
Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more common for these kinds of "extras" (toolbars, security scanners, etc.) to be added to your browser/system/desktop when adding or updating other software, some from very well-know software vendors. You must carefully read information before downloading any "free" software and be very alert during the install process for any opportunity to opt-out of "extras" being installed.
If you have the Ask Toolbar
- First try to disable or uninstall the Ask Toolbar in Firefox via "Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions". See: Disable or remove Add-ons
- In some cases, you may need to uninstall the Ask Toolbar using Windows Control Panel .
You MAY need to reset a preference
You may also need to reset preferences related to Ask.com via about:config, specifically the keyword.URL preference -
- Open a new tab or window.
- Type __about:config__ in the URL/address bar and press the Enter key
- If you see a warning, accept it (promise to be careful)
- Filter = keyword.url
- Right-click on the preference below the Filter, and choose Reset
- Restart Firefox (File > Restart Firefox)
- See: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.URL for details.
Also see:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Problematic_extensions#Ask_Toolbar
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_toolbars
You need to update your plugins. It is important to keep them updated due to continuing security fixes and improvements in those plug-ins:
- Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 11.0
- Shockwave Flash 10.1 r53
- Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
- Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
- Update Shockwave for Director
- NOTE: this is not the same as Shockwave Flash; this installs the Shockwave Player.
- Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the link in the article below (Desktop is a good place so you can find it).
- When the download is complete, exit Firefox (File > Exit)
- locate and double-click in the installer you just downloaded, let the install complete.
- Restart Firefox and check your plugins again.
- Download link and more information: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Shockwave+plugin+with+Firefox
- Update Shockwave Flash
- Use Firefox to Download and SAVE to your hard drive from one of the links below; the links take you directly to the download and you avoid the "getplus" download manager and "extras" (i.e., toolbars, virus scan links, etc.) on the main Adobe page.
- SAVE to your Desktop so you can find it
- After download completes, close Firefox
- Click on the file you just downloaded and install
- Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer downloaded and choose "Run as Administrator"
- Note: Most browsers other than IE will also get updated with this one download
- Note: To update IE, same procedure but use IE to go: http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax.exe
- After installation, restart Firefox and check your version again.
- Download links and other information:
- https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+the+Flash+plugin#Updating_Flash
- or you can download, save, then run the manual installers for IE, then for Firefox (and all other browsers) from here: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html#main_ManualInstaller
- Also see: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Installing+the+Flash+plugin
- Also see (if needed): http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html#main_Uninstall