Should I remove LiftOff Toolbar?
What percent of users and experts removed it?
63% remove it37% keep it
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Reach 0.0007%
Other programs by Verti Technology Group
LiftOff Toolbar
from Verti Technology Group
What is LiftOff Toolbar?
LiftOff Toolbar is a Conduit distributed toolbar built on the community toolbar platform which provides potentially unwanted web browser integration. This browser extension's primary purpose is to take control of the user's search functionality in order to generate a revenue share for the publisher and Conduit. In addition to search hijacking (although there should be options during bundle installation to prevent this), the toolbar will install itself in Internet Explorer as a toolbar and Browser Helper Object. Also, many installs contain 'Value Apps', which provide additional functionality as well as include various adware extensions such as Cash Back and Price Gong. As for distribution, the toolbar is typically bundled with 3rd party publishers in order to try to maximize install revenue as typically payouts per installation is between a few cents and a couple dollars depending on the geographical location of the host. The platform in many cases installs a service 'engine' that is designed to protect the toolbar as well as the modified search and home pages to Conduit's affiliate search partner.
From the License Agreement: "As part of the installation process of the Conduit Software and/or the Customized Software, we may change your Internet Browser settings and/or provide you with the ability to opt to make changes to your Internet Browser settings and/or your mobile device settings and/or your social network account settings."
Overview
The program adds a toolbar to Microsoft Internet Explorer. The main program executable is liftoffsrv.exe. A vast majority of those who have this installed end up removing it just after a couple weeks. 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 6 files and is usually about 2.22 MB (2,330,371 bytes).
- Loads into the web browser
- Built on and distributed using the Conduit toolbar
- May modify the web browser's home page
- Many experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
Program details
Displayed publisher: LiftOff
URL: liftoff.ourtoolbar.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\liftoff\liftoff\1.8.3.12
Uninstaller: "C:\Program Files\LiftOff\liftoff\1.8.3.12\uninstall.exe"
Estimated size: 2.22 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 liftoff.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 LiftOff Toolbar
Program executable: | liftoffsrv.exe |
Name: | Lifoff Toolbar |
Path: | C:\Program Files\liftoff\liftoff\1.8.3.12\liftoffsrv.exe |
MD5: | 1f25a6e4381be78ffc0a14c38345e2f7 |
Additional files:
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liftoffApp.dll - Lifoff Toolbar
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liftoffEng.dll
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liftoffTlbr.dll
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uninstall.exe (by LiftOff) - ${PRDCT_DSP}
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escortShld.dll
Behaviors exhibited
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- liftoffTlbr.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'LiftOff Toolbar' with the class of {E094670B-E5C9-4583-B8D1-4DB902EC98A3}.
How do I remove LiftOff Toolbar?
You can uninstall LiftOff 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 LiftOff 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 LiftOff 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 LiftOff 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) 69%
Win 7 8%
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HOW DOES IT RUN?
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Plugs into Internet Explorer
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USER ACTIONS
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Uninstall it 63%
Keep it 37%
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 |
76.92% |
|
Windows 10 |
15.38% |
|
Windows XP |
7.69% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
Windows 7 Home Premium |
53.85% |
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Windows 7 Ultimate |
15.38% |
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Microsoft Windows XP |
7.69% |
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Windows 7 Professional |
7.69% |
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Windows 8 Pro |
7.69% |
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Windows 8.1 Pro |
7.69% |
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Geography
69.57% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
United States |
69.57% |
Israel |
13.04% |
United Arab Emirates |
4.35% |
Canada |
4.35% |
New Zealand |
4.35% |
Portugal |
4.35% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
GIGABYTE |
45.45% |
|
Toshiba |
27.27% |
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Lenovo |
9.09% |
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Intel |
9.09% |
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Acer |
9.09% |
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Common models |
TOSHIBA SATELLITE L850-16... |
10.00% |
|
TOSHIBA Satellite L830 |
10.00% |
|
TOSHIBA Satellite L645 |
10.00% |
|
Micro-Star MS-7519 |
10.00% |
|
LENOVO 4334 |
10.00% |
|
Gigabyte X58A-UD3R |
10.00% |
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