Though it is not,
strictly speaking, a virus, the Social Search Toolbar Browser Hijacker (SSTBH)
has plenty of malicious traits. With its rootkit capabilities it can hook deep
into your operating system and it hijacks your browser. Techies call it a
PUP... a potentially unwanted program. It really messes with your user
experience, so you can be sure it's unwanted.
Once installed on your
computer, the SSTBH modifies your Internet search settings, changes your home
page to the Conduitsearch engine(search.conduit.com) which
performs browsing redirects and displays advertisements. It also collects
search terms from your search queries in order to boost advertising revenues.
In addition, the SSTBH
can install spyware in your computer, and spread or update itself... all of
which compromises your security as well as violates your privacy.
How do you get it?
SSTBH usually comes
bundled with free software you download from the internet, such as video
streaming software, download-managers, or PDF creators.
It can also be bundled
with the custom installer on many download sites, such as CNET, Brothersoft or
Softonic. sSo if you have downloaded software from these websites, there's a fair
chance that this browser hijacker was installed during the software setup
process. This is because you probably agreed during the download process to
change your browser home page to search.conduit.com, to set your default search
engine to SocialSearchBar Customized Web Search, and to install the Social
Search Toolbar during the download process.
Thus you should always
exercise caution when installing software because a software installer will
often include optional installs, such as the SSTBH. It's best to opt for the
custom installation and todeselect any files with which you are not familiar,
especially optional software that you really don't want to download and
install.
SSTBH hijacks the
three most common internet browsers... Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome.
As you are likely to be using one of these, you should pay attention when
installing free software and never install software you don't trust.
How it operates
The toolbar starts up
automatically once you start Windows. After that it performs a scan and lists a
variety of legitimate or non-existent files that, it claims, are infected.
These files, of course, cannot be removed unless you buy the Social Search
Toolbar program.
In other words, the
SSTBH tries to intimidate you by flooding your screen with bogus system alerts,
saying that your computer is heavily infected with malware and spyware. Here
are some of the fake messages you could receive:
Social Search Toolbar
Warning!
Application could not be
executed. The file cmd.exe is infected.
Please enable your
anti-virus software
Social Search Toolbar
Warning
Your PC is infected with
dangerous viruses. Activate antivirus protection to prevent loss of data and
prevent the theft of your credit card information
Click here to enable
protection
Social Search Toolbar
Warning
Intercepting programs
that may compromise your privacy and damage your system have been detected on
the PC
Click here to remove
them immediately with Social Search Toolbar
Security Monitor:
WARNING!
Attention: System
detected a potential hazard (TrojanSPM/LX) on your computer that may infect
executable files. Your private information and PC safety is at risk. To get rid
of unwanted spyware and keep your computer safe you need to upgrade your
current security software. Click Yes to download official intrusion detection
system (IDS software)
Warning: Your computer
is infected
Windows has detected
spyware infection!
Click this message to
install the last update of Windows security software
Clicking on any of these
links is not advisable. The SSTBH also opens your computer to remote attacks
that can result in a loss of banking and credit card information and a stolen
identity. The program also blocks malicious software removal tools and system
utilities.
So how do you remove the
SSTBH?
There are two steps to
removing this unwanted software:
(a) You uninstall the
toolbar from your PC, and
(b) You remove the
toolbar from your web browser.
Note that the actual
procedure in step (b) will vary depending on which browser you are using.
(a) Uninstalling
Social Search Toolbar from your PC
Click Start,
then select Control Panel, and click on Uninstall a program or Add
or Remove Programs if you are using Windows XP.
If you are using Windows
8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from
the list and search for Control Panel. Or you can right-click on a
bottom left hot corner (where the Start button used to be) and
select Control Panel, then select Uninstall a program.
A new screen, called Uninstall
a Program or Add or Remove Programs, will open. Scroll
through the list of currently installed programs. You should be able to find
the Social Search Toolbar Internet Explorer Toolbar, Social Search Toolbar
Firefox Toolbar or any other programs installed recently. To delete these
programs, highlight them and then click Remove orUninstall.
(b) Removing Social
Search Toolbar from Browsers
The procedure for
removing the Social Search Toolbar from your web browser will vary depending on
the browser.
Internet Explorer (IE)
·
Open Internet Explorer,
click on the gear icon (or Tools for Windows
XP users) at the top (far right), then click on Internet Options.
·
In the Internet Options
dialog box, click on the Advanced tab, then click on the Reset button.
·
In the Reset Internet
Explorer settings section, check the Delete personal settings box,
then click on Reset.
·
When Internet Explorer
finishes resetting, click Close in the confirmation dialogue
box and then click OK.
·
Close and open Internet
Explorer.
Mozilla Firefox
·
At the top of the
Firefox window, click the Firefox button. Go to the Help sub-menu
(or, on Windows XP, click the Help menu at the top of the
Firefox window). Select Troubleshooting Information.
·
Click the Reset
Firefox button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting
Information page.
·
Click Reset
Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.
·
Firefox will close and
be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported.
·
Click Finish.
Google Chrome
In this case, what you
have to do is remove Social Search Toolbar extensions from Google Chrome:
·
Click the Chrome menu
button on the browser toolbar, select Tools and click Extensions.
·
In the Extensions tab,
remove (by clicking on the Recycle Bin) the Proxy Tool, PortaldoSites Toolbar,
Yontoo, BrowserProtect and any other unknown extensions from Google Chrome.
Now change the Google
Chrome default search engine from Social Search Toolbar to Google:
·
Click the Chrome menu
button, then select Settings and click on Manage
search engines in the Search section.
·
In the Search Engines
dialog that appears, select Google and click the Make
Default button that appears in the row.
·
Search for Social Search
Toolbar in the Search Engines list, and click the X button that appears at the
end of the row.
Now change the Google
Chrome homepage from Social Search Toolbar to its default:
·
Click the Chrome menu
button, then select Settings and click on the New Tab
page in the 'On Startup' section.
Finale
As you can see, getting
rid of the Social Search Toolbar Browser Hijacker is fairly easy. But if you
fear it is beyond your skills, you need to call up an online support firm.
These are usually open 24/7. You can then sit back and watch while, using a
remote connection, they get rid of the browser hijacker on your behalf.
The service should cost
no more than €25. A much more expensive alternative would be to carry your PC
or laptop down to your local repair shop or ask a techie to visit your home or
office.
Paul Kennedy is
the marketing manager of Jupiter Support (Ireland). He can be
contacted by email to paul@jupitersupport.ie. You can also go to jupitersupport.ie where
you can use chat or Skype to talk with a technician free of charge.
Alternatively you can call 0766803006 to speak to a technician
and get free advice. Jupiter Support only charges a fixed fee of€19.99 to
rid your computer of any and all viruses on a no-fix/no-fee basis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_D_Kennedy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8041495
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