Browser-hijacking Ask Toolbar gets the banhammer on Windows

The  Ask Toolbar  is a bad thing that nobody wants on their PC --- [it includes] search protection functionality—code that tries to [protect itself and] stop you from changing your browser or default search settings...

The next time the Ask Toolbar tries to sneak onto your computer it will be marked as “unwanted software” (that’s a nice way of saying malware) by Microsoft’s security tools...

Microsoft’s security products including Windows Defender on Windows 8 and up, and Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7 and Vista can now detect and remove the toolbar.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2934502/microsofts-good-deed-for-the-day-browser-hijacking-ask-toolbar-gets-the-banhammer-on-windows.html