Help Removing Conduit

Discussion in 'Software' started by 20Valve, Oct 31, 2010.

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  1. 20Valve

    20Valve Sergeant

    Some stupid Firefox toolbar app installed itself on my desktop. It is called "Conduit." It is the most annoying thing on the planet. I think it was installed when I tried to install a radio bar or something like that. I tried a few fixes after some searching. Here is what I tried:

    In the Firefox address bar I entered "about:config" and searched out all of the "conduit" entries and reset them. I entered the Firefrox search management and removed Google (to which I understand the app is linked) search engine as an option for searching. I reinstalled Google as a search option. The fix seems temporary, as the toolbar returns after a little time.

    I posted this here as I don't think this is malware or spyware, at least based on my investigations. So, does anyone know how to remove this friggin' thing? My head wants to explode.

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. tgell

    tgell Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Does this work? If not download Slimcomputer and do a scan. It should detect any toolbars and remove them.
     
  3. Caliban

    Caliban I don't need no steenkin' title!

    SlimComputer.

    If those don't work, why not uninstall/reinstall Firefox?
     
  4. tgell

    tgell Major Geek Extraordinaire

    @Caliban: I did a search and didn't find Slimcomputer on MajorGeeks. :-o
    Thanks.
     
  5. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    @20valve

    Did you go into Tools> Addons and try to remove it that way?
     
  6. Caliban

    Caliban I don't need no steenkin' title!

    @tgell: No problem. :drink

    From the first link, I still think walking through those steps, especially using something like Revo Uninstaller, and then uninstalling/reinstalling Firefox should do the trick.

    If not, maybe a Registry search for anything related to Conduit?
     
  7. 20Valve

    20Valve Sergeant

    Well guys, it seems I removed it. It was about a week ago, so I will reply to the posted replies as best as my memory will allow.

    Conduit showed up nowhere as an installed program. Not in Vista, not in Firefox, absolutely nowhere. I did try variations with the about:config tweak - resetting "conduit" values, and tweaking the Google search engine defaults within Firefox. Nothing worked permanently.

    I poked around ,and found a way to uninstall "Radio Toolbar" which I believe was the offending code that installed Conduit. Unfortunately, I cannot remember if I located it through Firefox or Vista. So, the fix seems to be to find "Radio Toolbar" and remove it. At least in my case. My guess is that their are other programs out there that also install this stupidity.

    I don't think this was spyware. It is a case of a legit (debatable) program that the creators just don't want you to be able to uninstall. Which boggles my mind why someone would want to have a business model such as this. That is appalling. No way was I going to go to their website, as I have no idea what kind of nefarious crap they would do to my computer. While researching Conduit, I discovered there were users who actually like the toolbar. Just wait until they get tired of it and try to uninstall it!

    Thanks for all of the replies.
     
  8. Caliban

    Caliban I don't need no steenkin' title!

    Good job, and good info about the uninstall - may come in handy.
    Don't you just love that word 'nefarious'? ;)
     
  9. 20Valve

    20Valve Sergeant

    Caliban -

    I could have used less, ahem . . . . appropriate adjectives. Oh yeah, thanks for the "Slim Computer" tip. I did try it - no go, but that utility will no doubt come in handy at some time.

    Cheers.
     
  10. NewsFlash

    NewsFlash Corporal

    Conduit and Conduit Engine are installed along with Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 Free, whether you want it or not. Even if you uncheck the box that asks if you want to install the toolbar, it still installs.

    I can't get it off my computer. I thought MG didn't support this kind of "spyware"/annoyance with their downloads??

    Anyway, if anyone knows how to remove it from IE8, I'd appreciate the help.
     
  11. 20Valve

    20Valve Sergeant

    Newsflash -

    I don't know if you read through my previous post, but as I said I searched for Radio Toolbar and removed that, which in turn removed Conduit. I think in my case Radio Toolbar installed the app, so I don't know if that will work in your case.

    You might want to let the admins know about that program, as I find them to be very supportive of the community. Good luck.
     
  12. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Brought to MA's attention. :major
     
  13. Major Attitude

    Major Attitude Co-Owner MajorGeeks.Com Staff Member

    Add\Remove programs in Control Panel. Most authors include toolbars now to make money, you either opt out or uninstall later. This is commonplace so its that or never download :) Its not spyware any more than any other toolbar. Its an annoyance in some cases and a fine line. We dont have much choice.

     
  14. Brains

    Brains Private E-2

    HOW TO REMOVE “CONDUIT SEARCH” FROM YOUR COMPUTER​
    1. Click "Start", input "regedit" (without quotation marks) and press Enter.
    2. Navigate to the following registry key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    a/ Find the “Start Page” and change the value to the home page you want
    I use Google so inserted …http://www.google.co.uk/
    b/ Also find “Local Page” and change the value to “C:\Windows\system32\blank.htm”
    3. Restart your computer to check the result.
    Worked fine for me after trying loads of other people’s ideas … not one worked after numerous hours of trying...... Was I getting sick of listening to these "EXPERTS".

    A WORD OF CAUTION The registry is a dangerous area to play in , so it’s advisable to back it up before using my method.
    Best of luck from "BRAINS"
     
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