PUP.Optional.Conduit

Short Bio

PUP.Optional.Conduit refers to an online platform that allowed Web publishers to create custom toolbars and apps at no cost. Conduit toolbars may change user and/or browser settings, display advertising leading to other known PUPs, and cause the overall speed of the computer to diminish.

Conduit was demerged to Israeli-based Perion, and the company ceased toolbar operations in 2014.

Impact

Conduit was more of the widely encountered toolbars of the time.

While the impact of this PUP has diminished with the dissolution of the Conduit brand, detections may remain on legacy systems.

• Conduit Is Splitting

Common Infection Method

The most common method if infection by this threat is through bundled software.

Avoidance Advice

• Update your OS and running applications
• Run Malwarebytes products
• Follow PUP avoidance practices

Remediation

Malwarebytes completely removes this threat. However, there may be some leftovers you might need to clean up. These guides will assist in you in completely removing everything:

• Removal Instructions for NCH Toolbar
• Removal Instructions for Trovi Search Protect
• Removal Instructions for Search Protect (New Version)

Associated Threats

• Optional.ConduitTB.Gen
• Optional.Conduit.A