ARO 2013 Toolbar
What is ARO 2013 Toolbar?
ARO 2013 Toolbar is a web browser toolbar and extension that modifies the browsers search and home pages as well as delivers contextual based advertising. This toolbar currently supports Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. In order to provide search advertising revenue, the software is designed not only to modify the search provider but to protect it so that it remains the default browser search engine. It is typically installed via a co-bundled offer within a third-party software distribution.
What it does:
- Modifies the default search engine and search provider.
- Changes the default browser home page.
- Adds search functionality from the address bar.
- Adds alternative redirection "page not found".
- Displays contextual advertising.
Overview
The program adds a toolbar to Microsoft Internet Explorer. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). The software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The main program executable is prxtbARO_.dll. Typically most users end up uninstalling this just after a few days. It also bundles additional software in the form of the Conduit Engine, which installs a potentially unwanted toolbar, and makes homepage and default search engine changes to a user's web browser. The software installer includes 11 files and is usually about 7.84 MB (8,223,695 bytes).
- Possible malware installed by this program
- Loads into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Difficult to remove as it will reinstall itself
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- Hijacks the browser's default search provider
- The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in ARO 2013 Toolbar.
| prxtbARO_.dll (4b5780c90e38e579a651dbc4774a1f1f) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
7.1.1 |
PUA.Toolbar.Conduit |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.09 |
Adware.Conduit.16 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
8.9639 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.W |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.04.22.12 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
28068 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbARO0.dll (975993043e355206a1fba5a702044f0c) has been flagged by the following 6 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17676 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.~A |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9338 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.Conduit |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
Adware/Conduit |
| TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
TROJ_GEN.F47V1113 |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25818 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ARO_2013ToolbarHelper.exe (943f313974a830d4634c73beb8103f5e) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17313 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.~f |
| Dr.Web |
|
Adware.Toolbar.202 |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
23610 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbARO_.dll (8de9d8fda8df6dd2e1b99a1f297faa8a) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17469 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.ks |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9190 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
24534 |
Conduit (fs) |
| uninstall.exe (b728fa6a309e5d18141947b95b730e95) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
26380 |
Conduit (fs) |
View all 20 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: ARO 2013
URL: ARO2013.OurToolbar.com
Help link: ARO2013.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\aro_2013
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\ARO_2013\uninstall.exe toolbar
Estimated size: 7.84 MB
This is a Community Toolbar by Conduit, what does that mean?
Conduit is a toolbar monetization platform for software publishers. It provides a utility for developers to create branded generic web browser toolbars. Publishers can bundle these toolbars with their software programs or provide access to download them separately through ARO2013.OurToolbar.com. Once installed, the toolbar modifies the browser's home page and search settings in order to redirect searches through the Conduit portal (which utilizes Bing or Yahoo! Search engines). Read more...Each publisher enters into a 'Publisher Agreement' with Conduit which defines the revenue structure, known as the 'incentive amount', to be paid each calendar month in which the user has an active toolbar installed. Typically payout is based on the geographic origin of the user and ranges from $2 for a US user per month to just a few cents for other countries. Is it considered dangerous? Well, it's not malware or even spyware, however it changes the browser’s search provider in order to display, but if you read the EULA that is mentioned and presumably agreed on when installing. Users should decide if you need the functionality the toolbar has to offer. But remember, if you uninstall it make sure you reset your web browser, see how.
Files installed by ARO 2013 Toolbar
| Program module: | prxtbARO_.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Signed by: | Conduit Ltd. |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\aro_2013\prxtbARO_.dll |
| MD5: | 4b5780c90e38e579a651dbc4774a1f1f |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) ARO_2013ToolbarHelper.exe (by Conduit) - ToolbarHelper Application
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
hk64tbARO_.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hk64tbARO0.dll
-
hktbARO_.dll
-
hktbARO0.dll
-
ldrtbARO_.dll
-
ldrtbARO0.dll
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(Malware detected) prxtbARO_.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbARO_.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbARO0.dll
Behaviors exhibited
Internet Explorer BHO
- prxtbARO_.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with the class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3} (Produtools Manuals).
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- prxtbARO_.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with the class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3}.
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- prxtbARO_.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with a class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
- prxtbARO_.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with a class of {16BB67E0-6319-4077-BE84-F41269E051F3}.
Scheduled Task
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{C247631C-606C-44F8-9B4E-C25B77177427}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- ARO_2013ToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
How do I remove ARO 2013 Toolbar?
You can uninstall ARO 2013 Toolbar from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program ARO 2013 Toolbar, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove ARO 2013 Toolbar.
- If for some reason uninstallation fails, please install Microsoft's uninstall fixer utility which will help fix problems with programs that can't be uninstalled at support.microsoft.com.
How do I reset my web browser?
If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by ARO 2013 Toolbar you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
- The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.
Mozilla Firefox
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
- To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
- When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
- Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.
- When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.
- Restart Google Chrome.
OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 66%
Win XP 3%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 78%
Keep it 22%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
65.71% |
|
| Windows Vista |
20.00% |
|
| Windows 10 |
11.43% |
|
| Windows XP |
2.86% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
51.43% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
20.00% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
11.43% |
|
| Windows 8 |
8.57% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
2.86% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
2.86% |
|
Geography
69.39% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
69.39% |
| United Kingdom |
6.12% |
| Australia |
4.08% |
| Canada |
4.08% |
| Germany |
2.04% |
| DK |
2.04% |
| India |
2.04% |
| Netherlands |
2.04% |
| Russia |
2.04% |
| Saudi Arabia |
2.04% |
| SD |
2.04% |
| Sweden |
2.04% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
38.24% |
|
| Dell |
17.65% |
|
| Toshiba |
17.65% |
|
| Acer |
14.71% |
|
| Sony |
5.88% |
|
| ASUS |
5.88% |
|
Common models |
| Dell Inspiron 660s |
5.88% |
|
| HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook ... |
5.88% |
|
| HP G72 Notebook PC |
2.94% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard DR57-AAA1... |
2.94% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard Compaq Pr... |
2.94% |
|
| Gateway ZX4250G |
2.94% |
|
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