Remove Conduit virus

What is Conduit virus

Conduit virus refers to a browser hijacker that makes unwanted changes to users’ browsers. While browser hijackers are not exactly malicious or particularly dangerous, users refer to Conduit as a virus because of its questionable and highly annoying behaviour. So while it’s not exactly a virus, we will refer to it as such for simplicity. Conduit is a browser hijacker, which means it will install without explicit permission from users and will make unwanted changes. The changes include a different homepage, new tabs and search engine. These changes usually surprise users because they do not agree to them. They are also irreversible while the hijacker is installed. So unless users delete Conduit virus from their computers, they are stuck with the changes. Fortunately, hijackers are not difficult to get rid of.

Hijackers use software bundling to install. Software bundling is a frowned upon installation method, and programs that use it are usually classified as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). How to prevent these unwanted installations will be explained in the following section of the report, but the short explanation is that these unwanted programs are attached to free software. They are purposely hidden from users to ensure they get installed.

How did Conduit virus install

Users are generally quite surprised when they see the hijacker on their computers. It’s not surprising because these kinds of infections use the sneaky software bundling method. Software bundling is essentially adding additonal offers to free software. The additional offers are usually adware, browser hijackers and PUPs. The offers are optional but are added to freeware in a way that authorises them to install alongside, unless users manually deselect them.

When users are installing freeware, they often do not notice the offers because they are purposely hidden. When the offers go unnoticed, they are essentially given permission to install alongside. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to pay attention when installing programs. At some point during installation, users are asked to either continue in Default settings or use Advanced (Custom). If users continue in Default, they’re allowing the offers to install. However, if they opt for Advanced, they will be given the option of reviewing what has been added and allowed to deselect everything.

It’s recommended to always deselect the offers, no matter how useful they seem. Nothing good will come of them.

What does Conduit virus do?

As we mentioned above, the so called Conduit virus is not malicious. It’s also a very noticeable infection. As soon as it installs, it will make changes to browsers like Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and Search.conduit.com or some other similar site is set as homepage and new tabs. Other sites like Storage.conduit.com, Lab.search.conduit.com and Trovi.com could be set as the search engine as well.

These sites are presented like they enhance browsing the Internet but in reality they’re just trying to redirect users to sponsored sites. The search engines that users are forced to use insert sponsored content into search results in order to redirect users. The thing about those sponsored sites is that they are not always safe and could lead users to malicious or scam sites. Thus, it’s not recommended to use the search engine. Or at least users should pay attention to what results they click on. These redirects are the main purpose of hijackers because they want to generate revenue. Users get nothing from this.

It’s also a known fact that hijackers tend to collect information about users. That information includes sites visited, searches, location, etc. The information can also be shared with or sold to third-parties, who would use the info for their own purposes.

Overall, while Conduit virus is not the most dangerous infection, it’s annoying enough to warrant removal. It makes unwanted changes to browsers, sets questionable sites as homepages and search engines, and then tries to redirect users to questionable sites.

Conduit virus removal

It should not be difficult to uninstall Conduit virus, particularly using anti-spyware software. Automatic Conduit virus removal is easier because the program will take care of everything. However, it is also possible to remove Conduit virus manually.

After the hijacker is gone, users will be able to change back their browser settings with no issue, and should no longer be redirected.

Offers

Download Removal Toolto scan for Conduit virusUse our recommended removal tool to scan for Conduit virus. Trial version of provides detection of computer threats like Conduit virus and assists in its removal for FREE. You can delete detected registry entries, files and processes yourself or purchase a full version.

More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.

• WiperSoft Review Details WiperSoft (www.wipersoft.com) is a security tool that provides real-time security from potential threats. Nowadays, many users tend to download free software from the Intern ...

  Download|more

• Is MacKeeper a virus? MacKeeper is not a virus, nor is it a scam. While there are various opinions about the program on the Internet, a lot of the people who so notoriously hate the program have neve ...

  Download|more

• While the creators of MalwareBytes anti-malware have not been in this business for long time, they make up for it with their enthusiastic approach. Statistic from such websites like CNET shows that th ...

  Download|more

Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall Conduit virus and related programs.

• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP
• Mac OS

Remove Conduit virus from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Uninstall Conduit virus from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Delete Conduit virus from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove Conduit virus from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for Conduit virus or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Step 2. Delete Conduit virus from your browsers

• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer

1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
3. Leave the window.

Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.

Reset your browser

1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
4. Tap Close and leave your browser.
5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.

Erase Conduit virus from Google Chrome

1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
2. Choose Extensions.
3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.

Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus

1. Press on menu icon and click Settings.
2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
   

Reset your browser

1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
2. Open menu and navigate to Settings.
3. Press Reset button at the end of the page.
4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.

Remove Conduit virus from Mozilla Firefox

1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.

Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
3. Press OK to save these changes.

Reset your browser

1. Open the menu and tap Help button.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Press Refresh Firefox.
4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.

Uninstall Conduit virus from Safari (Mac OS X)

1. Access the menu.
2. Pick Preferences.
3. Go to the Extensions Tab.
4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable Conduit virus and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
5. Restart Safari.

Reset your browser

1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.