Microsoft Sees Old Ask Toolbar As Unwanted Software

Microsoft security software sees old versions of the Ask Toolbar, which include the installation of Java is included, henceforth as unwanted software. Late last year, the software giant announced that measures would be taken against toolbars and other programs that change browser settings, unsolicited.

Toolbars for many users is a major source of annoyance. It also happens often that the default search engine users is adjusted and it is very difficult to change back the original engine. In late May Microsoft let them know that it was also customize this software. The new measures would take effect on June 1, and it seems that the software giant has kept his promise.

Old versions of the Ask Toolbar, given the large number of topics on its removal for many users a real plague , is now classified as unwanted software. This allows a user on Slashdot know, taking to an article in the malware encyclopedia indicates Microsoft. According to the description the Ask Toolbar Microsoft considers a "high threat" that can be removed by Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Since the message on Slashdot the news was taken up by other media, which again for a response from Ask.com and Microsoft seems to have created. Indeed, there is an update posted in the encyclopedia, which now reported that the most recent version of the Ask Toolbar is not considered unwanted software.

Microsoft Removes Superfish 240,000 Lenovo Laptops

In a week's time Microsoft about 240,000 Lenovo laptops have removed the Super Fish-adware, according to figures that released the software giant. Because of the vulnerability that was caused by Superfish decided to release on February 19, Microsoft updates its own virus scanners so that they could remove the adware and the corresponding certificate. In a week's time, Microsoft has identified about 240,000 machines Superfish.

The adware was Lenovo laptops at more than 40 models installed and aimed to intercept SSL connections to then inject ads.The adware used for this purpose its own root certificate. Researchers managed to crack the password using the private key of the Superfish certificate. This makes it possible in some cases to Man-in-the-middle attacks against systems that perform Superfish and the certificate installed.

In a blog posting , Microsoft explains the different ways in which Lenovo users could be attacked. This could be via a malicious WiFi network, phishing domain or DNS poisoning can. Lenovo provides all in January for carrying laptops with Superfish, although in February even laptops with Superfish sold. In addition, different virus scanners now detect and remove Superfish. In the case does not recognize the installed security software Superfish, Microsoft recommends that a single scan using the Microsoft Safety Scanner to perform.