49
8
Browsing through Firefox's Add-ons list, I've discovered that there is one named Google Update, which I don't remember installing.
How did it get on Firefox's list of installed Add-ons, or plugins, and what is it doing there?
Tom
Posted 2010-06-25T22:25:16.473
Reputation: 978
25
You might have gotten the add-on, and probably an independent "Google Updater" program as well, installed by installing one of Google's programs, such as Google Earth or Chrome. Information from Google is available here, and a rather critical discussion of the phenomenon, and a way to download the programs without the updater is available here (Obsolete).
The updater can be deactivated and uninstalled. See here (unrecoverable, dead link) for instructions from Google for uninstalling it, or here for instructions about how to seek out and vanquish every trace of it. Uninstalling the add-on from Firefox might not do much without such a measure, but by all means do that as well.
Emil
Posted 2010-06-25T22:25:16.473
Reputation: 495
9
I like to get rid of this invasive malware but keep Chrome's ability to do a manual update, when I request one. To that end, delete just the plugin DLL (the name varies for sneaky reasons) which resides in the user profile folder (on Windows systems).
You can find the plugin location by opening a Firefox tab and entering about:plugins in the address input. It will list the plugin, for example, like so:
Google Update
File: C:\Documents and Settings\User Joe Bloggs\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\1.3.21.99\npGoogleUpdate3.dll Version: 1.3.21.99 Google Update
(Note that the plugin must be enabled to be visible.)
Just delete that DLL and restart Firefox.
I like to use CCleaner to automatically kill this DLL. Do that by creating or adding to CCleaner's winapp2.ini file. Add a section like so:
[Google Update Firefox plugin]
LangSecRef=3026
Default=True
FileKey1=%APPDATA%\..\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update|*GoogleUpdate*.dll|RECURSE
FileKey2=%ProgramFiles%\Google\Update|*GoogleUpdate*.dll|RECURSE
Finally, "How To Stop Automatic Plugin Installations In Firefox" details how to fight this outrageous malarkey by Google, Microsoft, Apple/iTunes, etc.
Brock Adams
Posted 2010-06-25T22:25:16.473
Reputation: 2 000
2
This addon updates all Google software. It is typically installed when you install Chrome. You can disable it and manually update your Google software. You should also note you most likely have a Google Update service running, and a task scheduled to run.
1@INTPnerd what it has to do with Firefox is that it is yet one more chance for the Google software to be started, in case the user has tried to disable it through Startup, Task scheduler, and the Google Update process. – MattBianco – 2014-10-22T10:19:40.880
11"Updates all Google software" What what what? What does Google software have anything to do with a Firefox plugin? Firefox is not Google software and I highly doubt you need Firefox to be installed in order to keep your Google software up to date... – still_dreaming_1 – 2013-06-03T23:29:03.237
1
The same thing happened to me. I remembered that I'd recently installed Adobe Reader - they added Google Chrome optionally to their download but it's selected by default. You need to uncheck it before downloading.
Dannyvv
Posted 2010-06-25T22:25:16.473
Reputation: 11
0
The Firefox Google Update plugin is installed when you download and install any one of Google's desktop programs. The Google Update Plugin helps keep your desktop Google programs updated. You can find more information on the Google Update Plugin over at http://latestversionplugin.com.
Dave
Posted 2010-06-25T22:25:16.473
Reputation: 1
@MarkBooth Not everyone has enough rep to downvote many bad answers! – Brian – 2014-11-05T18:55:46.877
@Brian True, but it is still the responsibility of anyone who does have enough rep to down vote answers which are bad, sacrifice for the greater good of the site and future visitors. Remember too that if bad answers get deleted then you get back all of that lost rep. *8') – Mark Booth – 2014-11-07T13:20:20.320
10The "instructions from Google" are no longer there. – RomanSt – 2012-01-18T15:02:50.463
4Links are not working and answer leaves me completely confused. What does Google Chrome and Google Earth have to do with Firefox? – still_dreaming_1 – 2013-06-03T23:24:10.003
13And this is exactly the reason you shouldn't just answer with links. Thanks for the (currently) useless answer. – Jesse – 2013-07-02T20:05:56.210
1And ? What is it ? – Nicolas Barbulesco – 2013-09-23T13:27:10.497
4This is not an answer. It is not self contained and merely points at where the answer can be found. Some of the links have already died, others will most likely die before people stop trying to find the answer to this question. Good answers on stack exchange stand on their own, with links only for further information. Accepting 'answers' which only link to the actual answer does a disservice to every other person who might want the question answered. Voting up (or in cases like this, not voting down) answers like this is similarly a disservice to people who actually want to solve this problem. – Mark Booth – 2014-02-09T11:29:28.507