Older versions of the Ask toolbar will be identified as malware and will be removed, according to a report from Microsoft.

Browser and search protection code are used by programs like the Ask.com toolbar to make it difficult to change or remove default settings and browser functions.

Microsoft has changed its evaluation criteria to recognize products as malware if they prevent or limit users' control over their browser search settings. Developers are being urged to change all search prevention code from their software.

A limited number of outdated Ask.com toolbars still include the legacy search protection feature. That feature includes the ability to alert users to third party software attempting to change their settings.

Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Security will now target programs that use browser search protection.

Users who suspect that their toolbars are outdated should restart their browsers to see if they have the current working version.

Source: SCMagazine