Coduit
What is Coduit?
Coduit is an ad-supported (users may see additional banner and in-text link advertisements) cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer (BHO) and Firefox/Chrome (plugin) and distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. The browser extension includes various features that will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer's load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent competing software from changing its settings as well as disable the browser's Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross site scripting of the plugin.
What the toolbar does:
- Changes the default search engine in your web browser's built-in search box.
- Changes the default home page of your web browser.
- Adds alternative "page not found" functionality.
- Enable search from the address bar of your web browser.
- Allows software updates of the application once a new version is released.
Overview
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 main program executable is ConduitEngine.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 3 files and is usually about 4.04 MB (4,238,397 bytes).
- Possible malware installed by this program
- Loads into the web browser
- Built on and distributed using the Conduit toolbar
- Injects advertisements unassociated with the underlying web page
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in Coduit.
ConduitEngine.dll (d6a51f524dc545a55f107b5a5a502cc1) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
ESET-NOD32 |
8.9275 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
Panda Antivirus |
14.01.11.11 |
Adware/Conduit |
VIPRE Antivirus |
25290 |
Conduit (fs) |
ConduitEngineHelper.exe (a320df2b47cfcaf98d06eb59cd72084c) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware.C534 |
Dr.Web |
7.0.12.3050 |
Adware.Conduit.300 |
G Data |
25 |
Win32.Adware.Conduit.B |
IKARUS anti.virus |
T3.1.6.1.0 |
PUA.ClientConnect |
Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
Program details
URL: www.ourtoolbar.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\ConduitEngine
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files1\CONDUI~1\ConduitEngineUninstall.exe
Estimated size: 4.04 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 www.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 Coduit
Program module: | ConduitEngine.dll (Malware detected) |
Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
Path: | C:\Program Files\ConduitEngine\ConduitEngine.dll |
MD5: | d6a51f524dc545a55f107b5a5a502cc1 |
Additional files:
-
ConduitEngineUninstall.exe - Conduit Engine Uninstall
-
(Malware detected) ConduitEngine.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
(Malware detected) ConduitEngineHelper.exe
Behaviors exhibited
Scheduled Task
- ConduitEngineHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
How do I remove Coduit?
You can uninstall Coduit 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 Coduit, 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 Coduit.
- 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 Coduit 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.
USER ACTIONS
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Uninstall it 78%
Keep it 22%
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MOST USED OS
~99%
Windows Vista (SP2)
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COUNTRY POPULARITY
100.00%
United States
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Geography
100.00% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
About Conduit
Conduit is an online platform that allows web publishers to create custom toolbars, web apps, and mobile apps at no cost.
Publisher URL: www.conduit.com