Does IE, firefox etc show you the stored credentials in clear text form? I really want to know.
I am not convinced by the rationale for showing saved credentials. Installing key logger is not comparable to this situation, that requires considerable effort of key logger installation, adding exception in anti-virus and stronger intentions for stealing p/w.
Did this ever cause you any actual problems, though, or is it just offend your sense of computational aesthetics?
Even if IE is now functionally equivlent to Chrome, Firefox and Safari, there is a good reason not to use it: Microsoft has ENOUGH of a monopoly on computers now with their OS monopoly, it would be stupid to give them a browser monopoly, too.
Firefox’s memory leak problems (if they get bad enough) will eventually crash your PC. It’s rare that they get that bad (and it’s not enough to keep me from using it), but it can happen.
It’s cute that some people think the browser wars still matter in a monetary sense.
I don’t know if I should have opened this dead thread or started a new one so if I did something evil I apologize.
I installed AdAware a couple of days ago and the results are horrendous or at least I think so. I lost the Chrome home page that I was just getting used to. Now if I select Chrome it opens to a page with a Lavasoft search bar that is powered by Yahoo. My poor computer now contains a McAfee antivirus software that periodically sends me a popup message warning me of the impending destruction of my computer unless I buy some other McAfee garbage at some extortionate cost.
Do I have to buy a new computer and trash the one I have now in order to get my Chrome start page back?
How do I get rid of the damned McAfee crapware that I didn’t authorize and don’t want?
Why does life just get harder and harder as I get older?
Yes. Better set fire to the current one. Just in case.
Assuming that this is a Windows PC, have you tried simply uninstalling the “McAfee antivirus software” and the Lavasoft search bar that’s now installed?
When installing new programs, read everything in the prompts before clicking. Read twice, if you have to. Not doing so is what’s gotten you into this mess.
Since you mentioned McAfee managed to get installed I would set the computer on fire as well.
Good luck.
It is going to be a PITA.
But think how much are going to learn…
All kidding aside, if it’s a Windows computer you can uninstall legit programs like McAfee from “Programs and Features” in the Control Panel. Unless your McAfee is actually fake and is in fact malware. It’s possible.
For your homepage you will need to go into Chrome settings and fiddle with it there. Homepage settings are usually the first thing that pops up in the dialog window. You can pick tab pages or a specific homepage or whatever.
While you’re in there, go to Extensions, and remove the offending toolbar through that screen.
I think that’s an exaggeration. LouisB didn’t say the name of the McAfee software, but my guess is that it’s McAfee Security Scan Plus, which is sometimes offered for installation along with other stuff like Java or Adobe Reader. (But of course, all you have to do is to uncheck the box and it doesn’t get installed.) That program is listed in Add/Remove Programs and should not be difficult to remove.
I’ve had CCleaner for years----I used its uninstall tool to get rid of Adaware, thinking that it might kill two stones with one bird----I still have the McCafee Crap and I can’t find anything that relates to the damned miserable toolbar I’m stuck with. Also, since Chrome no longer opens with the Chrome home page, I can’t find the applicable settings toolbar.
I tried to restore the whole damn thing to like maybe a week ago but my computer tells me I can’t can’t use restore for reasons that baffle me. Anything more complex than an On-Off switch baffles me.
Honestly, if that’s the case, perhaps a regular computer isn’t right for you. Have you considered replacing it with a tablet system? The iPad is very nice.
I was exaggerating a little bit but not too much. I’ll plug away at the problem for a little while but I will keep your suggestion in mind.
I’m using Firefox for the moment and you might imagine my surprise to learn that my designated start page no longer exists and I now get the same damned start page Chrome gives me.
You mentioned trying to use CCleaner but weren’t able to use it to remove the McAfee software. Have you simply looked in Add/Remove Programs? The list is alphabetical so that the McAfee software will be after anything beginning with the letter L.
Don’t know if you’ve tried these; they are the manufacturer removal instructions:
How to uninstall the Ad-Aware Toolbar
How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee products using the Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR)
The McAfee MCPR can be downloaded from that page, but be sure to use Windows’ own Remove Program uninstaller first (the MCPR cleans up whatever the standard uninstaller misses).
Okay, I used the add/remove selection and have managed to lose everything but the damned Lavasoft search tool which has replaced Google on my home page and the home page is NOT what it was before yesterday. Hell, I even uninstalled Chrome just to see what happened.
I’ve managed to give myself a headache and I’m going to watch TV and read; I’ll tackle this thing again tomorrow. As Scarlett always says, Tomorrow is another day. I’ll think about it then.
Thanks for the help and advice.
Here’s how to set your homepage in Chrome.
Firefox.
I have tried Chrome and happily use it on other computers but its just not for me.
The reason is that I’ve tweaked Firefox with add-ons and extensions over the past 5 years to the point where it does what I want. Going through that process with Chrome just seemed too hard for no real benefit.
We’re only talking about a window for viewing the internet, not brain surgery.