Remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar from Your PC

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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A browser hijacker, named SearchMe Toolbar has been reported to be associated with the Search(.)conduit(.)com search engine. The infamous conduit search engine Is notorious for being a part of a large advertising network which uses PUA (Potentially Unwanted Applications) like the SearchMe toolbar to spread across user computers. The toolbar may collect different information via the search engine and share it with third-parties, redirect to third-party websites that may be dangerous and slow down the computer. This is the primary reason why malware researchers strongly recommend removing Search(.)conduit(.)com software from your computer in case you have it.

Threat Summary

Name	Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar
Type	Browser Hijacker and PUA
Short Description	Modifies the web browsers, collects information, may display advertisements, may share information with third parties.
Symptoms	Slow PC, changed new tab and home page to search(.)conduit(.)com
Distribution Method	Via bundled packages, other PUPs
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar

Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar – How Are They Spread

The browser hijacker may be redistributed via several different methods, the primary of which is bundling. Applications like the SearchMe toolbar may be added in the installers of free programs downloaded from the web. Usually, such installers can be found on third-party software-providing websites that offer a massive variety of freeware for download in one place. Since a lot of users do not mind where they download installers from they usually download the installers and do not notice the added programs as free extras in the installers, for example:

Such free programs may be anything, ranging from your free media player to free games, torrent downloaders, and other useful freeware often downloaded. Since some websites make a profit by adding third-party application, they do not mind what kind of apps they bundle. Researchers strongly advise users to pay attention to the Advanced and Custom installation options when they install a program and if possible to only download it from its official site to prevent such PUAs from slithering onto your computer.

SearchMe Toolbar – More Information

The SearchMe Toolbar itself is classified by ESG malware researchers to be a potentially unwanted application. The toolbar can heavily modify the web browser on the affected computers. There are a lot of versions of this software that are interconnected with the infamous Conduit search engine, which is associated with a large number of other toolbars and browser add-ons just like it.

After the SearchMe Toolbar has been installed on your computer, the software may start to modify these Windows folders:

→ C:\Users\%UserProfile%\Administrator\AppData \Local\ Google\ Chrome\User Data \Default\Secure Preferences
C:\Users\%UserProfile%\Administrator\AppData\Local \Google\ Chrome\User Data\Default\ Web Data

SearchMe may also modify heavily the registry entries of the affected computer, changing numerous Windows settings, similar to malware. Symantec researchers have reported the following entries being targeted:

→ HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”fcv” = “251”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”isn” = “7C0095E782494A16B14F78FEB0C7428C”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”WS_IE_IB” = “https://in.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_ie&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=0&p={searchTerms}”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”WS_FF_IB” = “”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”WS_FF_AB” = “”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”WS_GC_IB” = “https://in.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-yo_gc&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=0&p={searchTerms}”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”HP_IE” = “https://in.search.yahoo.com/?type=0&fr=spigot-yhp-ie”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”HP_FF” = “https://in.search.yahoo.com/?type=0&fr=spigot-yhp-ff”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”HP_GC” = “https://in.search.yahoo.com/?type=0&fr=yo-yhp-ch”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”ping_ts” = 0x578DB4BE
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”GCDSFailed” = “0”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”GCHPFailed” = “0”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”IEDSFailed” = “0”
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1183130530-2106554489-1195938152-500\Software\SearchmeToolbarST\”IEHPFailed” = “0” Source: Symantec Security Response

After modifying these keys, the SearchMe Toolbar may change the default new tab and home page of the web browsers Firefox, Chome and Internet Explorer to search(.)conduit(.)com:

Search(.)conduit(.)com – More Information

The search engine itself also shows suspicious behavior. Initially, we have noticed during our research that the search engine not only does not have an encrypted HTTPs connection, which is highly untypical for search engines, but it also uses cookies linking to third-parties:

These cookies may be used by the creators of this search engine to collect your:

• IP address.
• MAC address.
• Information about the software installed on your computer.
• Browsing history.
• Online clicks.
• Online search history.
• Personal information.

What was even more interesting is that we have found a connection between Conduit and Trovi, which is another advertising network. This happened when we checked the privacy policy, where they clearly state that they may collect non-identifiable and personally identifiable information from any users:

Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar – Conclusion and Removal Instructions

As a bottom line, we have a toolbar that unknowingly slips into your computer, heavily modifies it, making itself hard to delete and allowing it to display various advertisements. The toolbar is associated with two very big advertising “companies” – Trovi and Conduit, which make their profit by having a vast number of unwanted programs that are actively running on the computers of affected users. This is done to make a profit at the expense of you, the user by causing browser redirects and generating unoriginal traffic to vendors that may or may not be their clients. It is also believed that some of the profit these companies generate may come from thick pay-per-click schemes and other ad-networks. It is also likely too see advertisements in different forms that may redirect to different third-party websites, in case you have the SearchMe Toolbar.

Since those third-party sites may be dangerous to your computer, we strongly advise you to immediately remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar from your computer and make sure it is protected in the future as well. To do this swiftly and effectively, we recommend following the removal instructions below and also scanning your computer with an advanced anti-malware program for best results. Doing this will not only delete all associated objects with these threats, but it will also make sure that you stay protected in the future as well.

Note! Your computer system may be affected by Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar or other threats.
Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar.
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

To remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar follow these steps:

1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

How to Uninstall malicious programs from Windows:

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC.
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

2. Clean your Browser and Registry from Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar

Remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar by cleaning your Browser and Registry.

Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar on your PC.

Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.

Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“

After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.

After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” button at the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.

Select the extension you want to remove and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.

After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ button located at the top right corner and start it again.

Start Edge

Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

From the drop menu select “Extensions”.

Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.

Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs

3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Scan your PC and Remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Search(.)conduit(.)com and SearchMe Toolbar. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.

Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.

Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

More Posts - Website

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

More Posts - Website