Softonic English Toolbar
What is Softonic English Toolbar?
Softonic English Toolbar is a Conduit web browser plugin for Intenet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox that collects and stores information about a user's web browsing habits and sends this information to Conduit in order to provide advertising. It will change the user's home page and search provider during installation (optional but enabled by default) and provides a search box and various social features. If the home page and search settings were modified by this toolbar, they need to be manually reverted back by the user if the user decides to uninstall the toolbar. According to the License Agreement, "The Application may also collect and store information about your web browsing locally on your device. This locally saved information may interact with the Application and send us information about your web browsing so we can suggest services or provide you ads that may be more relevant to you. Only generalized inferences are passed from the Application to our servers."
Overview
Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. 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. When installed, it will add a context menu handler to the Windows shell in order to provide quick access to the program. The primary executable is named tbSoft.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 13 files and is usually about 4.37 MB (4,585,128 bytes).
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Adds a background Windows Service
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- Hijacks the browser's default search provider
- Most users and experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in Softonic English Toolbar.
| tbSoft.dll (469b44ae63d2ae02b512ec92c64d4a06) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.4246 |
HW32.Stranact |
| ESET-NOD32 |
7.9314 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.01.26.11 |
Adware/Conduit |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25620 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbSof0.dll (1a8438854dd15e4389f5bdef502c369d) has been flagged by the following 7 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.Y |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware.C534 |
| Dr.Web |
7.0.12.3050 |
Adware.Conduit.299 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
11614 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B potentially unwanted |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
40170 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbSof0.dll (4c163bd2a5905d18893ee311608e8c54) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.16 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.45 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10172 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.O |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
31726 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Softonic_EnglishToolbarHelper.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 |
| dtUser.exe (eb7e90cf7cc8a775a47afa552d3f0852) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
5.5.1.3 |
PUA.Toolbar.Visicom! |
| Dr.Web |
7.0.10.8210 |
Adware.Toolbar.246 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10641 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Visicom.C |
| NANO AntiVirus |
0.28.6.62995 |
Riskware.Win32.Toolbar.dbxksq |
| tbSof2.dll (2d2894581d355d5f44eae38898a66846) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9267 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25244 |
Conduit (fs) |
| searchresultsDx.dll (731c9f6d56a26c98bf37607f98900549) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
PUA.Win32.Visicom.bB |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10600 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Visicom.B |
| ldrtbSof0.dll (76b3946090c94bb38dbbca54ac8ff9f7) 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 |
25220 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbSof2.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 33 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: Softonic English
URL: SoftonicEnglish.OurToolbar.com
Help link: SoftonicEnglish.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\softonic_english
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Softonic_English\uninstall.exe
Estimated size: 4.37 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 SoftonicEnglish.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 Softonic English Toolbar
| Program module: | tbSoft.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Softonic_English\tbSoft.dll |
| MD5: | 469b44ae63d2ae02b512ec92c64d4a06 |
Additional files:
-
tbSof1.dll - Conduit Toolbar Automatic Update (Conduit Toolbar)
-
uninstall.exe - Conduit Engine Uninstall
-
(Malware detected) ldrtbSof0.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
(Malware detected) ldrtbSof2.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbSof0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbSof0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbSof2.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbSoft.dll
-
(Malware detected) Softonic_EnglishToolbarHelper.exe - ToolbarH Application
-
UNWISE.EXE
-
(Malware detected) dtUser.exe (by APN) - DtUser
-
(Malware detected) searchresultsDx.dll (by APN) - dtx Dynamic Link Library
-
searchresultstb.dll - DTX Toolbar (DTX kernel Module)
Behaviors exhibited
Context Menu Handler
- searchresultsDx.dll added to Windows Explorer under the name 'EPP' with a class of {09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}.
4 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbSof0.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).
- tbSoft.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with the class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa}.
- searchresultsDx.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Toolbar BHO' with the class of {a235e1e3-6296-4710-af39-104a7faa6c7c}.
- tbSof0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Conduit Engine' with the class of {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D}.
3 Internet Explorer Bars
- tbSoft.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'HotSpot International Findbar' with a class of {E7B933F6-FC68-4603-8C33-69AF90051503}.
- prxtbSof0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Vuze Remote Findbar' with a class of {644597E7-96EC-4DC8-BDE1-D150A08E8D92}.
- tbSof0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Conduit Engine Findbar' with a class of {DCDF6BF6-9C20-4DEE-8B9A-56D0231330CD}.
Internet Explorer Extension
- searchresultsDx.dll is installed as an Internet Explorer extension using the class {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263}.
4 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbSof0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa}.
- tbSoft.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with the class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa}.
- tbSof0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'DVDVideoSoft Toolbar' with the class of {e9911ec6-1bcc-40b0-9993-e0eea7f6953f}.
- searchresultsDx.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Music Toolbar (Dist. by Bandoo Media, Inc.)' with the class of {7e8cd3ea-a4d1-48f5-9fae-c8fe18e94ee6}.
3 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbSof0.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.
- tbSoft.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with a class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- tbSof0.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'DVDVideoSoft Toolbar' with a class of {e9911ec6-1bcc-40b0-9993-e0eea7f6953f} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
3 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbSof0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Free Lunch Design TB Toolbar' with a class of {A5AE8924-4036-420F-B7F6-A47E4B8F692E}.
- tbSoft.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with a class of {6DABBDA0-1DA5-4A2F-BC89-2AE084C572FA}.
- tbSof0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Conduit Engine' with a class of {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D}.
3 Scheduled Tasks
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{42CD7A24-AF4B-44A0-A119-1C6F9B6E2A90}' (runs on registration).
- UNWISE.EXE is scheduled as a task with the class '{F71A9918-1861-4EFE-AE94-530BDDE46DD4}' (runs on registration).
- Softonic_EnglishToolbarHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
Service
- UNWISE.EXE runs as a service named 'Browser System Enahncer' (671c50b0).
2 Windows Firewall Allowed Programs
- dtUser.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Music Toolbar\Datamngr\SRECE3~7\IE\dtUser.exe'.
- UNWISE.EXE is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\UNWISE.EXE'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| Softonic_EnglishToolbarHelper.exe |
| Total CPU: | 0.4892737327% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.29804920% | |
| User CPU: | 0.19122453% | |
How do I remove Softonic English Toolbar?
You can uninstall Softonic English 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 Softonic English 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 Softonic English 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 Softonic English 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) 42%
Win Vista (SP2) 4%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 79%
Keep it 21%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
58.33% |
|
| Windows 10 |
20.83% |
|
| Windows XP |
12.50% |
|
| Windows Vista |
8.33% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
25.00% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
16.67% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
12.50% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
12.50% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
8.33% |
|
| Windows 10 Enterprise |
4.17% |
|
Geography
20.00% of installs come from India
Which countries install it?
| India |
20.00% |
| United States |
16.00% |
| Australia |
12.00% |
| Vietnam |
12.00% |
| Indonesia |
8.00% |
| United Arab Emirates |
4.00% |
| BG |
4.00% |
| KE |
4.00% |
| Lithuania |
4.00% |
| Malaysia |
4.00% |
| NA |
4.00% |
| Sweden |
4.00% |
| Singapore |
4.00% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
38.10% |
|
| Acer |
19.05% |
|
| Toshiba |
9.52% |
|
| Sony |
9.52% |
|
| ASUS |
9.52% |
|
| Samsung |
4.76% |
|
| Intel |
4.76% |
|
| Dell |
4.76% |
|
Common models |
| LENOVO LENOVO3000 Y410 ... |
9.52% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L505 |
4.76% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L300 |
4.76% |
|
| Sony VGN-SR56GG_B |
4.76% |
|
| Sony SVF1521GSAB |
4.76% |
|
| MSI MS-7592 |
4.76% |
|
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