TheFreeGames Toolbar
What is TheFreeGames Toolbar?
This is a Conduit toolbar installed in the user's Web browsers (IE, Chrome and Firefox) that collects and stores information about your web browsing habits and sends this information to Conduit so they can suggest services or provide ads via the toolbar. The toolbar itself which is typically bundled with free software is an is an ad-supported (users may see additional banner and in-text link advertisements) web browser plugin 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 and search settings.
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.
- Enable search from the address bar of your web browser.
- Adds alternative "page not found" functionality.
"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." - from the EULA.
Overview
The most common release 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 primary executable is named tbTheF.dll. Many users end up uninstalling this after less than a month 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 12 files and is usually about 7.82 MB (8,199,635 bytes).
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Displays advertisements unassociated with the underlying web page
- 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 TheFreeGames Toolbar.
| tbTheF.dll (5d80adbf9bcb50c9b488cced7f6525e1) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
8.9314 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.01.26.11 |
Adware/Conduit |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25628 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbTheF.dll (d0133250565180c9dc8ee0aecccbfd53) has been flagged by the following 12 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Antiy-AVL |
1.0.0.1 |
GrayWare[WebToolbar:not-a-virus]/Win32.Agent.azm |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.M |
| Cyren |
5.4.16.7 |
W32/Conduit.TTAU-0102 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
11248 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.N potentially unwanted |
| F-Prot |
4.7.1.166 |
W32/Conduit.A |
| G Data |
25 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| K7 AntiVirus |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| K7GW |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| Kaspersky |
15.0.1.10 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.azm |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
37998 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbThe2.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) |
| TheFreeGamesToolbarHelper.exe (943f313974a830d4634c73beb8103f5e) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17313 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.~f |
| Dr.Web |
|
Adware.Toolbar.202 |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
23610 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbThe2.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) |
| 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 29 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: TheFreeGames
URL: TheFreeGames.OurToolbar.com
Help link: TheFreeGames.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\thefreegames
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\TheFreeGames\uninstall.exe toolbar
Estimated size: 7.82 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 TheFreeGames.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 TheFreeGames Toolbar
| Program module: | tbTheF.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\thefreegames\tbTheF.dll |
| MD5: | 5d80adbf9bcb50c9b488cced7f6525e1 |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) TheFreeGamesToolbarHelper.exe - ToolbarHelper Application
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
hk64tbThe2.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hk64tbTheF.dll
-
hktbThe2.dll
-
hktbTheF.dll
-
ldrtbThe2.dll
-
ldrtbTheF.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbThe2.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbTheF.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbThe2.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbTheF.dll
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbThe2.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).
- prxtbTheF.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).
2 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbThe2.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with the class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3}.
- prxtbTheF.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name '2Shared Toolbar' with the class of {ef468e5b-5b30-4136-a833-7f2e3a31afdf}.
2 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbThe2.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.
- prxtbTheF.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'BittorrentBar_DE Toolbar' with a class of {64ead72b-ffd4-4e01-aa3a-4c71665d73e4} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
2 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbThe2.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with a class of {16BB67E0-6319-4077-BE84-F41269E051F3}.
- prxtbTheF.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named '2Shared Toolbar' with a class of {EF468E5B-5B30-4136-A833-7F2E3A31AFDF}.
Scheduled Task
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{C247631C-606C-44F8-9B4E-C25B77177427}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- TheFreeGamesToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
How do I remove TheFreeGames Toolbar?
You can uninstall TheFreeGames 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 TheFreeGames 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 TheFreeGames 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 TheFreeGames 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) 47%
Win 7 7%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 66%
Keep it 34%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
53.33% |
|
| Windows 10 |
26.67% |
|
| Windows Vista |
10.00% |
|
| Windows XP |
10.00% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
37.93% |
|
| Windows 8 |
13.79% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
10.34% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
6.90% |
|
| Windows 10 Pro |
6.90% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
6.90% |
|
Geography
21.88% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
21.88% |
| Germany |
12.50% |
| France |
9.38% |
| Canada |
9.38% |
| MK |
6.25% |
| Australia |
6.25% |
| New Zealand |
6.25% |
| Portugal |
6.25% |
| Netherlands |
6.25% |
| Switzerland |
3.13% |
| Austria |
3.13% |
| Japan |
3.13% |
| Spain |
3.13% |
| Italy |
3.13% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Samsung |
20.69% |
|
| Acer |
20.69% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
17.24% |
|
| Dell |
10.34% |
|
| Toshiba |
6.90% |
|
| ASUS |
6.90% |
|
| Sony |
6.90% |
|
| Intel |
3.45% |
|
| Packard Bell |
3.45% |
|
| American Megatrends |
3.45% |
|
Common models |
| TOSHIBA SATELLITE L850-1P... |
3.85% |
|
| TOSHIBA SATELLITE L735 |
3.85% |
|
| Sony VPCEC2C5E |
3.85% |
|
| Sony VGN-NS51B_L |
3.85% |
|
| Samsung RC530/RC730 |
3.85% |
|
| Samsung R425D/R525D |
3.85% |
|
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