Lenovo rolls out tool to help remove adware

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lenovo has released a tool to help users remove pre-installed adware on some of its laptops, Digital Spy reports.

A programme called Superfish had been disabled by the Chinese computer maker, following complaints from customers that it was hijacking their browsers and placing third-party adverts on Google searches.

On Thursday (February 19), Lenovo said that it has removed Superfish from its machines and launched an investigation. However, the company has now issued a tool to help customers remove the pre-installed software.

"In addition to the manual removal instructions currently available online, we have released an automated tool to help users remove the software and certificate," Lenovo said in a statement.

"We ordered Superfish preloads to stop and had server connections shut down in January based on user complaints about the experience. However, we did not know about this potential security vulnerability until yesterday. Now we are focused on fixing it.

"Since that time we have moved as swiftly and decisively as we can based on what we now know," it added.