Toolbar opt-out

Beware of toolbar opt-out screens

Recent versions of some popular toolbar bundles (e.g. ASK) have changed their installation screen in a way that may trick users into accidentally installing the toolbar.

Previous opt-out screens usually displayed two check boxes that needed to be un-checked in order to prevent the toolbar from being installed. The newer versions of these screen still offer those 2 check boxes BUT un-checking them will no longer prevent the toolbar from being installed.

If you look closely (and most people don't), you'll notice that they are only referring to the default search settings, not the actual toolbar installation. The small print below the check boxes states: "Click Accept to install the toolbar". So, even if you un-check the boxes, once you click "Accept", the toolbar will be installed!

The proper way to opt-out is to use the "Decline" button. No toolbar will be installed and no changes to your browser settings will be made if you uncheck all boxes AND hit DECLINE!

Example of a tricky Conduit branded toolbar

Here is an example of another sneaky opt-out screen that is used by some Conduit branded toolbars.

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