Whether for work or personal use, most of us use a web browser every day. So, when your browser starts acting strangely, such as forcing you to use Ask.com instead of your default search engine, you may ask yourself what’s going on. What is the Ask toolbar, and why are you being forced to use it?
If your web browser is behaving as if it’s under the influence of a malevolent force, the Ask toolbar malware could be to blame. Here’s how to remove this browser hijacker and get things back to normal today.
What is the Ask toolbar, and how does it work?
The Ask toolbar isn’t technically a toolbar. Toolbars got left behind when browsers tightened things up in the name of security. The modern equivalent of the browser toolbar is the browser extension.
The Ask.com “toolbar” is actually an extension that functions as browser hijacker malware that can forcibly change browser settings and take over your web activity.
Once installed on your browser, this extension can change your default search engine to Ask.com. It can also change your homepage and your default new tab page. Even worse, it can disable your security settings, track your browsing habits, and steal sensitive personal data.
Although the Ask toolbar browser hijacker isn’t technically spyware, it is a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Like its counterparts, Search Baron and the Yahoo redirect malware, it can cause many problems. As such, we recommend that you remove this unwanted toolbar as soon as possible.
How did the Ask.com toolbar get installed on my Mac?
A PUP doesn’t always ask for permission to take control of your browser. It can barge its way in using the following methods:
- Disreputable software that bundles the Ask toolbar with it and installs it without asking
- Malware-infected links that may be emailed to you or sent in chat messages
- Malicious pop-up ads, such as the fake Flash Player update
- Infected browser extensions sideloaded into the browser that are not available as official browser extensions
- Scripts inside email attachments that can initiate a malware installation process
- Unpatched security vulnerabilities in the browser
How to identify the Ask toolbar on your Mac
There are lots of giveaways that your browser may be under the influence of a browser hijacker like the Ask toolbar. Check out the following and see if any of them ring a bell.
Your search queries are automatically sent to Ask.com
Of course, the first alarm bell is when your search queries from Google start going to Ask.com search instead. If you try to return to Google only to be bounced right back to Ask.com, you can be certain that something is wrong.
Your homepage and new tab pages are changed to Ask.com
Browser hijackers want to put their preferred website front and center. Accordingly, they like to change your default homepage and new tab pages. In this case, they will naturally be changed to Ask.com.
Your browser starts to slow down significantly
Most malware — including browser hijackers — conduct tasks that are resource-intensive. As a result, they will often feast on your Mac’s CPU and memory. Your browser and even your Mac itself may slow down to a crawl, which can lead to chronic crashes. Check Activity Monitor for the tasks that are using up the most CPU.
Lots of pop-up ads start appearing on your screen
Another red flag that shouldn’t be ignored is a sudden epidemic of pop-up ads suddenly swarming your screen.
These pop-ups will often, ironically, inform you that you have a virus and must “click here” for their antivirus software. These pop-ups are designed to elicit panic as a means of prompting you to act without thinking.
Making the mistake of clicking on these pop-ups could result in malware and/or stolen personal details, including your credit card number.
How do I remove Ask.com as my default search engine?
Now that we’ve identified the symptoms of the Ask.com malware, it’s time to call in the doctor for a cure. The following are a few removal methods, starting with the fastest and the easiest.
The quickest way to remove the Ask toolbar browser hijacker
Everyone prefers a solution that is fast and easy. And you can’t get faster and easier than CleanMyMac powered by Moonlock Engine. It’s an affordable and powerful Mac optimization tool with a few hidden surprises under the hood, one of which is malware detection and removal.
Don’t believe the hype? All new customers receive a free trial period, so you can try it out for yourself without any obligation. Once you’ve signed up for the free trial and installed the software, do the following to wave goodbye to the Ask malware:
- There are 6 options on the left-hand side of the user interface. The one you need is the third one down: Protection.
- Select Configure Scan. This takes you into the scan settings. Enable all options — you can never have too much protection.
- Once that’s done, exit Configure Scan and click the Scan button. CleanMyMac will scour your Mac for all traces of malware.
- When the search is complete, CleanMyMac will queue up all the malware-infected files that need to be destroyed. Select them all and click Remove.
That’s it. The malware should be gone. That said, there are some further checks you should conduct on your browser to be absolutely sure. We’ll cover those next.
You should also choose the Cleanup option in CleanMyMac, which will find all the junk files polluting your Mac. Some of them may be associated with the Ask toolbar malware.
How to rid the Ask toolbar from Chrome
CleanMyMac will have likely eliminated all malware on your Mac, but browser hijackers are pesky things that have a bad habit of hanging about. The next step is to manually check your browser settings.
Let’s start with removing the toolbar in Chrome:
- Settings > Extensions > Manage Extensions. Remove any unknown ones.
- Settings > Appearance. Reset your homepage.
- Settings > Search Engine. Reset your default search settings.
- Settings > Privacy and Security. Delete the cache and all temporary internet files.
Ask toolbar removal in Safari
Now, let’s move on to Safari malware extension removal methods:
- Safari > Settings > Extensions. Remove any unknown ones.
- Safari > Settings > General. Reset your homepage.
- Safari > Settings > Search. Reset your default search settings.
- Safari > Clear History… Delete the cache and all temporary internet files.
Remove Ask toolbar malware from Firefox
Finally, let’s run through the process on Firefox:
- Settings > Addons & Themes. Remove any unknown ones.
- Settings > Home. Reset your homepage.
- Settings > Search. Reset your default search settings.
- Settings > Privacy & Security. Delete all cache and temporary internet files.
How to avoid unwanted toolbar browser hijackers in the future
Once the Ask toolbar malware is gone, the last thing you need is for it to come back. So, how can you increase your cybersecurity to keep those threats away?
Don’t click links from unknown sources
The number one method for spreading malware is the infected weblink. This can come in an email, an SMS, a chat message, or even a QR code.
The rule of thumb is to never click links from people you don’t know or don’t fully trust. You never know where those links lead.
Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders
Email attachments are another favorite of hackers and criminals who want to spread malware and viruses. Attachments like PDFs could have generic, harmless-sounding names like “invoice” or “resume.” Don’t be fooled.
Again, if you don’t know the sender, don’t open the attachment.
Don’t install software from unrecognized developers
Apps inside the App Store or recognized developers like Moonlock are the app sources you should stick to. Developers with sketchy websites pushing free software are commonly supplementing their income by spreading malware.
Keep your browser patched with the latest updates
Malware like browser hijackers are built around exploiting security vulnerabilities in web browsers. Therefore, if a browser pushes out a security update, install it as quickly as possible.
Don’t worry. Your 100-plus open tabs will automatically reopen afterward.
Don’t sideload extensions outside the browser’s official site
Like apps, browser hijackers proliferate outside the strict security of the extension store.
It may seem cutting-edge to try out unofficial browser extensions, but by doing so, you’re bypassing the built-in security that the browser offers you. Stick to the extensions from official sources like the Chrome Web Store or the Mac App Store.
Don’t click pop-up ads
You can’t go anywhere online these days without seeing ads, but there are clear differences between a legitimate ad and a malicious one. Legitimate ads have professional images, promote legitimate products, and have no spelling mistakes or design flaws. Malware ads? The complete opposite.
If your gut tells you that an ad looks suspicious, trust your instincts and don’t click it.
Every time you go online, there will be bad actors seeking to control your browser. Browsers contain so much personal information about you, most of which is potentially monetizable.
Don’t let browser hijackers gain a foothold in your digital life. Remove malicious browser extensions like the Ask.com toolbar, and enhance your cybersecurity by staying informed about the latest threats.
This is an independent publication, and it has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Ask.com is a trademark of Interactive Corp (IAC). Mac and MacBook are trademarks of Apple Inc.
