Conduit
- Type:
- Adware
- Platform:
- Mac OS X
- Last updated:
- 02/09/16 9:14 pm
- Threat Level:
- High
Description
Conduit is adware. Conduit was a platform that could be used to create custom toolbars — meant to be installed as browser extensions — that were ostensibly aimed helping web publishers market to their audiences more effectively. However, Conduit had a number of behaviors that are classified as malicious: It would make unauthorized changes to a user’s web browser, including changes to the home page, new tab page, and search engine.
Conduit’s illegitimate search engine, search.conduit.com, posed a clear privacy threat, since it collected highly detailed user search and web activity data. Conduit was also said to be equipped with rootkit tools, software which can be used by third parties to covertly control infected computers. In addition, Conduit toolbars were frequently “bundled” together with other applications, a common tactic used by the authors of adware and Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) in order to sneak onto an unsuspecting user’s system during the installation of a legitimate app.
Once installed, Conduit was very difficult to remove, with the effects on an infection persisting even after removal in the form of system and browser settings changes. In 2014, Conduit was merged with an Israeli advertising technology company, and its toolbar activities were halted. However, Conduit toolbars may still be a threat to older systems, and should be removed whenever detected.
Conduit Threat Removal
MacScan can detect and remove Conduit Adware from your system, as well as provide protection against other security and privacy threats. A 30-day trial is available to scan your system for this threat.
