A browser hijacker, named SearchMe Toolbar has been reported to be associated with the Search.conduit.com search engine. Conduit search engine is infamous and 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 |
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| 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.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar
Step 2: Uninstall Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar and related software 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Search.conduit.com and SearchMe Toolbar from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: 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'.
Step 5: 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.
