Howtosimplified

Hello Peter,
We apologize for the inconvenience.
This toolbars or extensions generally get downloaded when you download or access any unwanted web site. These websites install unwanted extension or program along with a genuine program which causes this issue. That is why no Antivirus program detect this as threat. As you have mentioned that it is not listed in the programs list, we suggest you to check the browser extension and see if is downloaded as an add on or extension in your browser. If you see it, please remove the same and it will fix the issue.
Thank you.

I have no idea where this toolbar came from. Howtosimplified appears to be a viral threat but I do not want it, I did not request it and I want to get rid of it. It does not appear in the program list so that is no use for removal. If I click on the "+" in Firefox, up it comes, even though my home page remains as I set it.

Hello Peter,
We apologize for the inconvenience.
This toolbars or extensions generally get downloaded when you download or access any unwanted web site. These websites install unwanted extension or program along with a genuine program which causes this issue. That is why no Antivirus program detect this as threat. As you have mentioned that it is not listed in the programs list, we suggest you to check the browser extension and see if is downloaded as an add on or extension in your browser. If you see it, please remove the same and it will fix the issue.
Thank you.