More and more software releases incorporate the 'recommended' or preset option to install a browser toolbar, for instance the Java, Skype or Nero installer have such things. A user who will just click forward will install these toolbars, which eventually result in dozens of installed toolbars. In some cases these toolbars even get installed if the user chooses to not install them. A couple days ago I looked into my brother in laws fathers computer, he had about a dozen IE toolbars installed he did not want or know about since he even wasn't using the IE.
To wrap it up, most of these toolbars are completely useless for the user. Their purpose is in most cases to promote a search engine such as google, yahoo or ask. These pay the software vendors money to have their toolbars bundled, because more users using their services means that more users could see the advertising they serve so they can get better prices for placing advertising.
What is bad about this?
1. You get software you may not want.
2. Advertising uses up bandwith. Important for mobile users.
3. Advertising servers are very attractive targets to spread malware.
4. Advertisers do not care about what they advertise, they even advertise scareware when paid. (That is basically the same as taking money from the Mafia and promote them)
What to do?
1. Be more careful when installing software. Read what the installers want to do.
2. Report the software vendor if it installs stuff you did not want and explicitly denied.
To wrap it up, most of these toolbars are completely useless for the user. Their purpose is in most cases to promote a search engine such as google, yahoo or ask. These pay the software vendors money to have their toolbars bundled, because more users using their services means that more users could see the advertising they serve so they can get better prices for placing advertising.
What is bad about this?
1. You get software you may not want.
2. Advertising uses up bandwith. Important for mobile users.
3. Advertising servers are very attractive targets to spread malware.
4. Advertisers do not care about what they advertise, they even advertise scareware when paid. (That is basically the same as taking money from the Mafia and promote them)
What to do?
1. Be more careful when installing software. Read what the installers want to do.
2. Report the software vendor if it installs stuff you did not want and explicitly denied.