Avanquest Toolbar
What is Avanquest Toolbar?
Avanquest Toolbar is a 'Community Toolbar' from Conduit, that plugs into the various web browsers such as IE, Chrome and Firefox. The toolbar is an advertising-supported program that is designed to display ads within the bar itself and will modify the browser's home page and search settings in order to collect usage statistics. The toolbar is generally bundled with 3rd party developer programs in order to help monetize free (and some paid) software. During installation, the user might be given the option to modify the home and search pages, however this is often checked by default and overlooked. Should the software be removed from the user's computer, the settings will need to be manually reverted back. The company, based on the EULA, will automatically download and install remote updates as well as collect and store details about the user's web browsing activities and store it locally on the PC in order to interact with the toolbar application to suggest additional services or provide more targeted advertising. From the license agreement - "By Using a Conduit Software you may enable Conduit to access, use and collect a variety of information, both personal and non-personal, regarding your Internet Browser, your browsing habits, and information about your computer".
Overview
The most common release is 6.3.0.26, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. 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 primary executable is named tbAvan.dll. A majority of users end up uninstalling this less than a week of it being installed. 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 setup package generally installs about 11 files and is usually about 4.29 MB (4,495,160 bytes).
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- Built on and distributed using the Conduit toolbar
- Typically distributed through a pay-per-install bundle
- May modify the web browser's home page
- The wisdom of the experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in Avanquest Toolbar.
| tbAvan.dll (e4cc410bd005958125cd87c5f6e66371) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.4246 |
HW32.Stranact |
| ESET-NOD32 |
7.9577 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.04.22.11 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
27650 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbAva0.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) |
| 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) |
| ldrtbAva0.dll (ce49528c9b0b3b3018ee2f70e76b362a) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9148 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
24150 |
Conduit (fs) |
View all 14 all detections
Avanquest Toolbar has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software. If you have not purposefully installed this, you should be safe uninstalling it.
Program details
Displayed publisher: Avanquest
URL: Avanquest.OurToolbar.com
Help link: Avanquest.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Avanquest
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files2\AVANQU~1\UNINST~1.EXE
Estimated size: 4.29 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 Avanquest.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 Avanquest Toolbar
| Program module: | tbAvan.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Signed by: | Conduit Ltd. |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Avanquest\tbAvan.dll |
| MD5: | e4cc410bd005958125cd87c5f6e66371 |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
ldrtbAva0.dll (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar
-
(Malware detected) tbAva0.dll
Behaviors exhibited
Internet Explorer BHO
- tbAvan.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with the class of {d8fb4583-db9d-4c7b-85be-294c13a3e5c4}.
2 Internet Explorer Bars
- tbAvan.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Softonic France FF Findbar' with a class of {EC99436A-C0E6-4FFA-915D-132E669B3936}.
- tbAva0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'mako LIVE Findbar' with a class of {E4FBCEE4-B3B5-4FD1-933E-98130DB1E104}.
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- tbAvan.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with the class of {d8fb4583-db9d-4c7b-85be-294c13a3e5c4}.
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- tbAvan.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with a class of {d8fb4583-db9d-4c7b-85be-294c13a3e5c4} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
- tbAvan.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with a class of {D8FB4583-DB9D-4C7B-85BE-294C13A3E5C4}.
Scheduled Task
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{42CD7A24-AF4B-44A0-A119-1C6F9B6E2A90}' (runs on registration).
How do I remove Avanquest Toolbar?
You can uninstall Avanquest 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 Avanquest 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 Avanquest 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 Avanquest 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) 53%
Win XP 3%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 71%
Keep it 29%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
53.13% |
|
| Windows 10 |
34.38% |
|
| Windows Vista |
9.38% |
|
| Windows XP |
3.13% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
45.16% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
9.68% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
9.68% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
6.45% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Pro |
6.45% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
6.45% |
|
Geography
43.75% of installs come from United Kingdom
Which countries install it?
| United Kingdom |
43.75% |
| Australia |
37.50% |
| United States |
12.50% |
| New Zealand |
6.25% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Acer |
22.22% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
18.52% |
|
| Toshiba |
14.81% |
|
| Dell |
7.41% |
|
| Lenovo |
7.41% |
|
| Intel |
7.41% |
|
| ASUS |
7.41% |
|
| Packard Bell |
3.70% |
|
| MSI |
3.70% |
|
| Medion |
3.70% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
3.70% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
7.41% |
|
| Toshiba DX730 |
3.70% |
|
| Toshiba DX1210 |
3.70% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite Pro C66... |
3.70% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L450D |
3.70% |
|
| PACKARD BELL BV IMEDIA J2... |
3.70% |
|
About (from Avanquest Software)
Avanquest Software is a world leading developer of personal and professional software, encompassing a large number of categories including Creativity and Learning software, Utilities and Multimedia, all featured with the latest cutting edge technology to provide a more secure and enjoyable experience to people looking for easy and affordable software solutions in everyday life.
Publisher URL: www.avanquest.com