Winster Toolbar
What is Winster Toolbar?
Winster Toolbar is a Conduit distributed toolbar built on the community toolbar platform which provides adware type 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."
What toolbar EULA says it can do:
- Change of the default search engine, including your Browser's built-in search box, and address bar.
- Addition of alternative error page functionality, such as “Page Not Found”.
- Change of the default Home Page and/or New Tabs, and protect your search settings.
- Allowing Conduit access to location-based information.
- Allowing Conduit access to information contained on your social network account.
Overview
The most used version is 6.15.0.27, 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 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 tbWins.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 21 files and is usually about 20.65 MB (21,656,157 bytes).
- Possible malware installed by this program
- Loads into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in Winster Toolbar.
| prxtbWins.dll (d344cc84609a807ce92187c9662d392b) has been flagged by the following 7 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
4.0.3.15413 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.Y |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.0103 |
Adware.Conduit.299 |
| G Data |
15.4.25 |
Win32.Application.Conduit |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.04.22.05 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
39244 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbWin0.dll (9117027aea464e41c60b87b9826e8447) has been flagged by the following 6 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
PUA.Win32.Conduit.BX |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10641 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.X |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
31234 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbWin2.dll (4b5780c90e38e579a651dbc4774a1f1f) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
5.5.1.3 |
PUA.Toolbar.Conduit! |
| Dr.Web |
7.00.8.02260 |
Adware.Conduit.16 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9639 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.W |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
28068 |
Conduit (fs) |
| WinsterToolbarHelper.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 |
| tbWin1.dll (2833a262ca362ee3695cacd0580aa707) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10757 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34978 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbWin1.dll (5e16941abd53231f36f7f4b0e4b575ea) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.Y |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34164 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbWin0.dll (90a1b31ba3d3c1fd73b6021c1d8c1c8f) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17602 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.r |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9281 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
Adware/Conduit |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25382 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbWins.dll (e4cc410bd005958125cd87c5f6e66371) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.4246 |
HW32.Stranact.yycu |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9577 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
27650 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbWin2.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) |
| ldrtbWins.dll (5b9b1f88e9a9dcd1b1699b192aca297e) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9264 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25216 |
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 46 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: Winster
URL: Winster.OurToolbar.com
Help link: Winster.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\winster
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Winster\uninstall.exe
Estimated size: 20.65 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 Winster.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 Winster Toolbar
| Program module: | tbWins.dll |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\winster\tbWins.dll |
| MD5: | 14ba53ce27494ec8a83d14a17d029b1b |
| Conduit Toolbar web browser plugin for the various toolbars running on the Conduit Toolbar platform is the browser addin installed into Internet Explorer which has the ability to access and monitor all loaded and requested web pages and... |
Additional files:
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(Malware detected) uninstall.exe - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
(Malware detected) WinsterToolbarHelper.exe - ToolbarHelper Application
-
hk64tbWin0.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hk64tbWin2.dll
-
hk64tbWins.dll
-
hktbWin0.dll
-
hktbWin2.dll
-
hktbWins.dll
-
ldrtbWin0.dll
-
ldrtbWin1.dll
-
ldrtbWin2.dll
-
(Malware detected) ldrtbWins.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbWin0.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbWin1.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbWin2.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbWins.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbWin0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbWin1.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbWin2.dll
-
tbWins.dll
Behaviors exhibited
6 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbWins.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} (MyMatch_v2b).
- prxtbWin2.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).
- tbWins.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}.
- prxtbWin0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'FunFreeGames Toolbar' with the class of {f8069fe4-3a99-43e0-8643-9497870f5e24} (FunFreeGames).
- prxtbWin1.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'PageRage Toolbar' with the class of {9565115d-c7d6-46d3-bd63-b67b481a4368} (PageRage).
- tbWin1.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Softonic-IT Toolbar' with the class of {e3393495-8103-46a0-8181-270273eddd60}.
3 Internet Explorer Bars
- tbWins.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Softonic France FF Findbar' with a class of {EC99436A-C0E6-4FFA-915D-132E669B3936}.
- prxtbWins.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'BitTorrentControl_v10 Findbar' with a class of {61B7EA61-DF56-4683-A474-BFDE2AD56316}.
- prxtbWin0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'uTorrentBar Findbar' with a class of {06157046-AF54-4CF0-9FD0-F577ECC557F8}.
6 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbWins.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa}.
- prxtbWin2.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with the class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3}.
- tbWins.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with the class of {d8fb4583-db9d-4c7b-85be-294c13a3e5c4}.
- prxtbWin0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Avanquest FR Toolbar' with the class of {6ec85fcf-87ad-41d7-ae1f-f116f8ad4848}.
- prxtbWin1.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'PageRage Toolbar' with the class of {9565115d-c7d6-46d3-bd63-b67b481a4368}.
- tbWin1.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Softonic-IT Toolbar' with the class of {e3393495-8103-46a0-8181-270273eddd60}.
6 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbWins.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with a class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbWin2.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.
- tbWins.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.
- prxtbWin0.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Avanquest FR Toolbar' with a class of {6ec85fcf-87ad-41d7-ae1f-f116f8ad4848} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbWin1.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'PageRage Toolbar' with a class of {9565115d-c7d6-46d3-bd63-b67b481a4368} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- tbWin1.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Softonic-IT Toolbar' with a class of {e3393495-8103-46a0-8181-270273eddd60} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
6 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbWin2.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with a class of {16BB67E0-6319-4077-BE84-F41269E051F3}.
- prxtbWins.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'The Bible for the Christian Toolbar' with a class of {AEF82B22-FE2C-4B28-90C5-2C57571917FC}.
- tbWins.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'MessengerPlusLive TB Toolbar' with a class of {D8FB4583-DB9D-4C7B-85BE-294C13A3E5C4}.
- prxtbWin0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Avanquest FR Toolbar' with a class of {6EC85FCF-87AD-41D7-AE1F-F116F8AD4848}.
- prxtbWin1.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'PageRage Toolbar' with a class of {9565115D-C7D6-46D3-BD63-B67B481A4368}.
- tbWin1.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Softonic-IT Toolbar' with a class of {E3393495-8103-46A0-8181-270273EDDD60}.
2 Scheduled Tasks
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{42CD7A24-AF4B-44A0-A119-1C6F9B6E2A90}' (runs on registration).
- WinsterToolbarHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- WinsterToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| WinsterToolbarHelper.exe |
| Total CPU: | 0.4892737327% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.29804920% | |
| User CPU: | 0.19122453% | |
How do I remove Winster Toolbar?
You can uninstall Winster 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 Winster 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 Winster 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 Winster 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) 80%
Win Vista (SP1) 20%
|
|
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 |
80.00% |
|
| Windows Vista |
20.00% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
80.00% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
20.00% |
|
Geography
100.00% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
80.00% |
|
| Toshiba |
20.00% |
|
Common models |
| HP-Pavilion AY022AA-ABA p... |
25.00% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard Presario ... |
25.00% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L305 |
25.00% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard p6813w |
25.00% |
|
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