By Don Trauger – Kennett
The Technology Tips article in the January 2014 issue of the Guide & Digest showed how to reset the three most popular browsers. Resetting cares for problems when attempting to browse web sites. However, not all problems can be corrected when using the reset feature.
Browsers are a target for malware when indicated by problems of unwanted pop-up windows, toolbars or redirection to an unknown web site. A reset of a browser won’t correct problems when they are created by malware. If you find that you have 1 or more of the above mentioned problems, then you should perform full scans of your computer with my recommended Malwarebytes and Bitdefender programs. Malwarebytes is especially useful when it comes to removing unwanted programs.
Toolbars may escape Malwarebytes detection because many are considered legitimate add-on programs. In my opinion, any toolbar is a vector for 3rd party intervention into your computer. Toolbars are programs that are installed in a browser and reside at the top of each browser window just below the main address field. Unwanted programs, such as toolbars, are often installed without your knowledge by browsing a site and clicking an ad or other link on the page.To uninstall these pesky add-ons, go to the Control Panel and click Add/Remove Programs in Windows XP or Programs & Features in other Windows versions. Review the list of programs and uninstall anything that says toolbar. There are many different names for toolbars. Highlight the toolbar you want to uninstall then click Remove for XP, or right click the item and click uninstall, or click uninstall at the top of the page for other Windows versions.
After an infection you may have to restore your home page. A home page is described as the page you normally see when you start a browser such as Internet Explorer. If you have scanned your computer for malware and have removed any toolbars, start Internet Explorer and carefully type in the address for your home page. Then press the Enter key on the keyboard. If the page looks normal to you then go to the Control Panel and click Internet Options. When the window opens, highlight anything that appears in the field and press the Delete key on your keyboard. Next, press the Use current button just below the field and click the OK button. This should make a permanent change to Internet Explorer. The other 2 browsers, Firefox and Chrome, were covered in this respect in the January 2014 issue.
To reread the January 2014 issue dealing with resetting Internet Explorer, go to our web site www.hersheysmill.org and move your mouse to Resources > Tech Tips, then click on
Computer Internet & eMail Tips then click on Internet Browser – Solving Problems. Hint: When arriving at our site, scroll down so that the main menu is near the top of the window. This will allow you to read the drop-down menu items easily.
The PC Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 PM, upstairs in the Ardmore room of the Community Center. We will also try to answer any problems that you may be experiencing.