So what gives with Google Toolbar?

Published on June 16, 2010 By Dr Guy In Personal Computing

Twice in the last week I have been called in to fix a computer that would not "browse" the Internet. The browser of choice was internet Explorer (one was 6 the other 7), and while the home page would launch when the browser would start, they could not then type in another URL and have the browser connect.

But it was not 100%. In other words, type in a second URL, and it would not connect. Type in a 3rd and it woudl. 4th, would not, 5th would, etc.

I checked for all kinds of bugs (using Symantec for standard bugs and Malwarebytes for the sneaky ones) and none were found. So I started killing processes and ripping out Add ons in IE. And it started working great! Every URL would pop up. So I started putting the URLs back in one at a time, and stumbled when it came to Google Toolbar.

Fortunately neither user was enamored with the Google Toolbar (they just wanted to make sure they could get to Google).

I personally do not like those tool bars and never install them on my PC. And it is the first things I take off when my wife starts complaining about "slowing computer" on hers as well. But I guess some people like it as it does seem popular (I know you can get it from installing just about any freeware these days if you do not uncheck the box during installation). And in days past, I have seen some that have 3 or 4 of those irritating things (Google, Yahoo, AOL, and MSN).

I was just wondering if anyone else had seen this on computers they have worked on. There is no error associated with the problem. The page just never loads.

Comments (Page 3)

starkers

on Jun 20, 2010

DrJBHL

reply 30

taken out back, placed in the pillory and have exceedingly rotten fruit pelted at them.

Sounds like the vegetarian death sentence...

Aye, Doc, it prevents 'em dyin' o' scurvy.

Personally, I'd 'ave 'em walk tha plank, but them thar Greenpeace fellers reckuns thars enuff pollushun in tha sea as 'tis.

So long as 'em don't interfere wiv scuttlin' a few barks 'ere n' thar fer tha booty....

Jafo

on Jun 20, 2010

No BHO is of any real value....other than to give you a reason to load Hijackthis....

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

As fer what gives wiv that thar google toolbar, it gives up yer locashun an phones 'ome wiv details o' whar ye've bin an' whar ye be g'wen. Aye, it be an evil piece o' technolergy, that thar toolbar. Avoid it like scurvy, I says.

Good to see the old sea dog up and about. As for TOOLBARS (present company excepted), they all do that. They give a little and take a lot. I really do not care. But what surprised me was that they actually then hinder the user's experience, and that was my wonder. In order to get their ill gotten data, they have to offer something and not interfere with the user's web surfing. That it has got me to wondering if anyone had heard about the issue before (some one must have, but I doubt you will be able to "google" it).

One thing it has caused. I am using Bing more often now.

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

Khardis

reply 27

I'll just whisper this and see if anyone jumps in fright... "GoogleToolbarUpdater"... AKA the Shit that just won't flush.

No, just gag. We all have to realize however that those commenting here (or anyone on this site) is light years ahead of the average internet user. So while we gag (or cringe), they continue obliquely along. That is why I was called to "fix" their computer, and most of you probably have been or will be to fix others as well.

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

Such an item is prohibited and can never exist on any PC in my household. Persons who disobey my direct order (to never ever install Google toolbar) are taken out back, placed in the pillory and have exceedingly rotten fruit pelted at them.

And a lash or two from the cat-o-nine tails?

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

TCores

reply 29

I remember when we were being offered a dollar for every computer we could install the Google Toolbar on. I understand malware writers stopped trying to install "normal" malware and started installing Goole Toolbar instead - it just paid more.

Yea, at a buck a hit, it would be lucrative. And just as lucrative for the other side when asked to "fix the computer". A very lucrative scam!

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

Jafo

reply 32

No BHO is of any real value....other than to give you a reason to load Hijackthis....

A visit from the master Admin! And words of wisdom! I "feel" the same way, but then I am just a hack, not a guru.

starkers

on Jun 21, 2010

Good to see the old sea dog up and about.

Aye, 'tis good ter see ye also. 'Ow 'ave ye bin me ol' bucko???

But what surprised me was that they actually then hinder the user's experience

Back in my early PC days, I briefly used the Yahoo and Google toolbars, but quickly discontinued their use when I was getting redirected (often before I could complete the desired URL) to pages I did not want to visit... you know. sponsors ones with tons of targeted advertising based on key words in my searches. Other times I could be viewing a page I wished to visit and suddenly be taken ones I didn't... again riddled with advertising. Another unwanted affect of these toolbars was oodles of spam in Yahoo and Google email accounts... almost always targeted based on prior search references.

All these hinderances/annoyances ceased when I uninstalled the toolbars and did a thorough system cleanup... not to mention dispensing with those email accounts. So yeah, ALL toolbars ARE EVIL.

And a lash or two from the cat-o-nine tails?

Aye... while they be lashed t' tha barnacled keel of an upturned longboat. ARRR!!!

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2010

All these hinderances/annoyances ceased when I uninstalled the toolbars and did a thorough system cleanup... not to mention dispensing with those email accounts. So yeah, ALL toolbars ARE EVIL.

I have had them installed (when I was lazy and forgot to uncheck an option), but never really used them. However my wife was not so diligent, and I got tired of her complaining, so I "cleaned" them up on her computer as well. Now, I routinely disable them as the first thing when I work on a computer. After my recent experience, I am just going to uninstall them. And paste a big sticky on the computer - NO TOOLBARS.

Aye, 'tis good ter see ye also. 'Ow 'ave ye bin me ol' bucko???

Been getting certified and learning the security side of the business (networks). Now I have to baby sit a bunch of college kids when they try to get infected. (From the internet! I have no control over the other infections).

starkers

on Jun 21, 2010

I have had them installed (when I was lazy and forgot to uncheck an option), but never really used them.

In most instances you are given an option, but I came across a media player a while back that doesn't (or at least didn't the time) and you've got Google's Chrome browser before you know it. I can't recall exactly which media player it was, JetAudio? or something like that, but it's a practice I do not like and I've not used it since... both were uninstalled the instant I discovered the browser. If I don't like/trust Google's 'phone home' toolbar, I'm certainly not going to use their browser.

Ah, so you'd be seeing the weird and wonderful, then... not to mention the downright peculiar. College kids, eh!!! That means the whole gamut of infections... from the internet, that is.

As for other infections - swine flu and the like - just advise campus security if you see any sneaking pigs/livestock into the dorms.

Dr Guy

on Jun 22, 2010

As for other infections - swine flu and the like - just advise campus security if you see any sneaking pigs/livestock into the dorms.

See them? The dorms are full of them!

starkers

on Jun 22, 2010

Dr Guy

reply 41

As for other infections - swine flu and the like - just advise campus security if you see any sneaking pigs/livestock into the dorms.

See them? The dorms are full of them!

Hehe, I can see the late nite TV ads for those saucy cell phone videos now... instead of College Kids Gone Wild, it'll be College Kids Gone All 'Domesticated'

Wizard1956

on Jun 22, 2010

just advise campus security if you see any sneaking pigs/livestock into the dorms.

Gives new meaning to "getting a sheepskin"

starkers

on Jun 23, 2010

Gives new meaning to "getting a sheepskin"

AND... "Get Some Pork on Your Fork."

Dr Guy

on Jun 23, 2010

Hehe, I can see the late nite TV ads for those saucy cell phone videos now... instead of College Kids Gone Wild, it'll be College Kids Gone All 'Domesticated'

In whose lifetime?

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