Conduit Search Engine (or Search.conduit.com) is a browser hijacker that can significantly disrupt your online experience. It redirects your browser to unwanted pages and changes your default search engine. Here’s how to remove it and prevent future installations.
Identifying the Presence of Search.conduit.com
Symptoms of Infection
- Your homepage or default search engine changes unexpectedly.
- You notice an influx of ads and pop-ups.
- Browser settings reset without your permission.
Removing Search.conduit.com from Your Browser
Google Chrome
- Remove Suspicious Extensions:
- Open Chrome and go to
chrome://extensions/
. - Look for any unfamiliar or suspicious extensions and click
Remove
.
- Open Chrome and go to
- Reset Chrome Settings:
- Go to
chrome://settings/
and scroll down toAdvanced
. - Under
Reset and clean up
, clickRestore settings to their original defaults
.
- Go to
Mozilla Firefox
- Remove Suspicious Add-ons:
- Open Firefox and go to
about:addons
. - Find any unknown add-ons and click
Remove
.
- Open Firefox and go to
- Reset Firefox Settings:
- Go to
about:support
. - Click on
Refresh Firefox
.
- Go to
Microsoft Edge
- Remove Unwanted Extensions:
- Open Edge and go to
edge://extensions/
. - Identify and remove any suspicious extensions.
- Open Edge and go to
- Reset Edge Settings:
- Go to
edge://settings/reset
. - Click
Restore settings to their default values
.
- Go to
Removing Search.conduit.com from Your System
Windows
- Uninstall Suspicious Programs:
- Open
Control Panel
and go toPrograms and Features
. - Find any unfamiliar programs and click
Uninstall
.
- Open
- Run an Anti-Malware Scan:
- Use a reputable anti-malware tool to scan your system and remove any threats.
macOS
- Remove Unwanted Applications:
- Open
Finder
and go toApplications
. - Drag any suspicious applications to the Trash and empty it.
- Open
- Use Anti-Malware Software:
- Run a comprehensive scan using a trusted anti-malware program.
Preventing Future Infections
Safe Browsing Practices
- Avoid downloading software from untrusted sources.
- Be cautious of pop-ups and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Regular System Maintenance
- Keep your operating system and software up to date.
- Regularly scan your system with a reputable antivirus program.
Using Browser Extensions Wisely
- Only install extensions from official web stores.
- Regularly review your browser extensions and remove those you no longer use.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove search.conduit.com from your browser and system and take preventative measures to avoid future infections.