IE security request me to allow a website to open web content using the Mindspark Toolbar platform. I disallow and select the box to not show me the waring again. But it continues to prompt me at almost every website I enter. How can I rid this annoying alert from my life.
I have a Internet security alert for a program named: Mindspark Toolbar Platform.
Hi tyow
Welcome to the Community Forums.
Mindspark Interactive Network is a browser hijacker, which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will a also install a Mindspark toolbar, change your browser homepage to home.tb.ask.com, and set your default search engine to search.tb.ask.com.
They purport to provide uninstall instructions (here) but how far one can trust them given the nature of the progarm is a moot point.
We refer to this sort of non malware program as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Support Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge.
Regards, Baldrick
Welcome to the Community Forums.
Mindspark Interactive Network is a browser hijacker, which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will a also install a Mindspark toolbar, change your browser homepage to home.tb.ask.com, and set your default search engine to search.tb.ask.com.
They purport to provide uninstall instructions (here) but how far one can trust them given the nature of the progarm is a moot point.
We refer to this sort of non malware program as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Support Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge.
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
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