What is the Certified Toolbar (CertifiedToolbar)?

The Certified Toolbar virus, also referred to as the Certified Toolbar redirect, is dangerous malware, categorized as an internet browser hijacker. The Certified Toolbar virus “hijacks” internet browser settings, including the browser home page, causing infected internet browsers to direct to search.certified-toolbar.com (or associated/third party sites) upon start up. Certified Toolbar also changes the default search engines (managed/provided search) of popular internet browsers, in turn causing internet browsers infected with Certified Toolbar to redirect to search.certified-toolbar.com upon searching the web or inputting URLs into the address bar.

Certified Toolbar is dangerous for many reasons concerning the invasion of privacy and cyber criminal activity including identity theft, extortion, and credit theft. Furthermore, Certified Toolbar can cause a computer to lose complete functionality, but what sets Certified Toolbar apart from other browser hijackers, is the fact that Certified Toolbar hijacks Window’s shortcuts on the desktop (etc.) as first reported by our readers (instructions to remove Certified Toolbar shortcut at bottom of article).

Certified Toolbar issues may originate from Certified Toolbar, Certified Toolbar partners, and third party malware, viruses, and Trojans (associated, bundled, sponsored). It has been reported that removing a third-party browser add-on or extension has stopped a browser from redirecting to search.certified-toolbar.com and other websites.

A Certified Toolbar infection installs files directly onto computer system with or without consent and can be uninstalled using Window’s uninstaller. Once the Certified Toolbar is removed from Window’s the Certified Toolbar infection leaves files spare files on your computer which must be deleted.

Certified Toolbar Dangers and Symptoms

• The Certified Toolbar virus affects Google Chrome, but most notably Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• The Certified Toolbar virus traces, tracks, stores, sells, and distributes infected users internet activity.
• The Certified Toolbar virus changes home page settings causing internet browsers to direct to Search.Certified-Toolbar.com, or related viruses such as Search Completion (who shares the same logo) upon start up.
• The Certified Toolbar virus changes provided search engines (managed search engines) causing internet searches and URLs inputted into the internet browser address bar to redirect to Search.Certified-Toolbar.com, or related viruses such as Search Completion.

• The Certified Toolbar virus may install alongside/bundle with third party malware, viruses, and Trojans. These infections can lead to many unfortunate issues concerning identity theft, credit extortion, other personal and privacy issues, as well as a loss of computer or internet browser functionality.
• The Certified Toolbar virus may be difficult to manually detect and remove. The image below shows images left over after uninstalling the program using Window’s Uninstaller.

If  Certified Toolbar has infected your computer and internet browser, remove the infection immediately to protect your identity, privacy, and system functionality.

How to remove the Certified Toolbar Virus

Removing the Certified Toolbar virus can be difficult, even if the Certified Toolbar was installed voluntarily the infection may remain undetected. In order to properly remove Certified Toolbar it is recommended to use the leading Malware removal scanner Malwarebytes free or paid versions.

 
Malwarebytes has been documented to remove the Certified Toolbar virus. To remove Certified Toolbar and associated malware using Malwarebytes, make sure the software is updated and run a full system scan. Malwarebytes will detect and remove Certified Toolbar and malware affecting your browser and system.

It is also recommended to delete browser cache and cookie files. You can remove browser cache and cookie files in your internet browsers tools, preference, or settings options.

Certified Toolbar Folder Locations:

C: > Program Files > CertifiedToolbar
AppData > LocalLow > Certified Toolbar

Certified Toolbar Registry Data

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Search Page (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Search Bar (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Default_Search_URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search|Default_Search_URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com/)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Start Page (Hijack.StartPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&home=true&tid=2873) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Default_Search_URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Search Page (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main|Search Bar (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search|Default_Search_URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://search.certified-toolbar.com?si=42098&tid=2873&bs=true&q=) Good: (http://www.google.com/)

1. Uninstall Certified Toolbar

Before you repair any settings on your internet browser, uninstall Certified Toolbar using Window’s Uninstaller.

1. Access Window’s Start Menu and click the Control Panel

2. Select “Uninstall a program” or “Add and remove programs” (depending on your version of Windows)

3. Search for Certified Toolbar in the list of installed programs. Once Certified Toolbar is found uninstall it by double clicking it, right clicking it and selecting Uninstall, or highlighting Certified Toolbar and clicking the Uninstall button.

2. Remove Certified Toolbar add-ons and extensions

In trials with this infection, no actual add-ons and extensions relating to Certified Toolbar were found after uninstalling Certified Toolbar using Window’s Unintaller to remove the infection. Though none were detected it is strongly suggested to search for and remove any third party add-ons and extensions which may have installed with Certified Toolbar malware.

Microsoft Internet Explorer Users:

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. Search for any add-ons relating to Certified Toolbar and remove them.

Mozilla Firefox Users:

1. Click the Firefox Tools menu and select Add-ons.
2. Search for any add-ons relating to Certified Toolbar and remove them.

Google Chrome Users:

1. Click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bar settings icon).
2. Navigate to Tools > Extensions.
3. Search for any extensions relating to Certified Toolbar and remove them by clicking the trashcan.

3. Repair Home Page settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer Users:

1. Click Tools and select Internet Options.
2. In the “Home Page” query remove Certified Toolbar and type your preferred home page URL (google.com, bing.com, botcrawl.com) or select default or blank.

Mozilla Firefox Users:

1. Click the Firefox Tools menu.
2. Select Options.
3. In the General tab where it says “Home page” in the Start Up section remove Search.Certified-Toolbar or related URLs and type your preferred URL (google.com, bing.com, botcrawl.com).

Google Chrome Users:

1. Click the customize icon (3 bar or wrench settings icon) and select Settings.
2. In the On start up section select Set pages.
3. Remove the Certified Toolbar URL or related URLs by selecting the X next to the URL upon clicking on and highlighting the website.

4. Repair Provided Search Engine settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer Users:

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. Navigate to the Search Providers list.
3. Search for Certified Toolbar or related search engines and click the Remove button (at least disable).

Mozilla Firefox Users:

1. Click the small search arrow or magnify glass near the search bar at the top of the internet browser.
2. Select Manage search engines…
3. Highlight the Certified Toolbar search engine (search.certified-toolbar.com) or related searches and click remove.

Google Chrome Users:

1. Click the 3 bar or wrench settings icon and select Settings.
2. In the Search section select the Manage search engines… button.
3. Remove the Certified Toolbar URL or related URL by selecting the X next to the URL upon clicking on and highlighting the website.