Key Bar Toolbar virus (KeyBar Search)
The Key Bar Toolbar virus, otherwise referred to as the KeyBar Toolbar virus is a term for potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker that is primarily deployed by third-parties with or without user consent and knowledge as a browser add-on, browser helper object, and browser extension in order to change existing internet browser settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Key Bar Toolbar malware changes the home page of infected internet browsers, causing browsers to boot up and start up on KeyBar Search, search.conduit.com, and third-party websites. KeyBar Toolbar also changes the default, managed, and provided search engine of popular internet browsers, in turn causing unwanted browser redirects to KeyBar Search and previously mentioned domains, especially domain names associated with Conduit.
Aside from the obvious symptoms of the Key Bar hijacker, Key Bar Toolbar also raises privacy concerns mostly due to the permissions set in place and relationship with unethical third-parties. Most victims of Key Bar Toolbar malware have reported excessive email spam, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers. This concludes that Key Bar Toolbar and related parties are allowed to collect and distribute sensitive user data without their knowledge and that Key Bar and related parties may include their users to mailing and marketing lists without consent. In some cases, parties have unauthorized permission to collect all information manually submitted online, browser activity, and computer activity while their software is installed such as usernames, passwords, bank information, credit card details, telephone numbers, home addresses, and more.
Cyber crimes relating to similar browser hijackers and spyware items include credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. If you believe you have fallen victim to any of the discussed crimes it is recommended to immediately contact your local law enforcement office and bank or credit institution.
If KeyBar Toolbar is installed on your computer system and attached to your internet browsers and/or your affected browsers are redirecting to KeyBar Search and other websites, remove the unwanted malware using our free removal instructions further below.
How does the Key Bar Toolbar virus infect a computer?
Key Bar Toolbar can be manually and voluntarily installed from a variety of websites but is most often downloaded and installed without user permission. Key Bar Toolbar primarily bundles with third-party downloadable content including freeware and shareware. In some cases users are given the option to accept or decline and offer to install Key Bar Toolbar and change internet browser settings to KeyBar Search. If you recently installed free software online, chances are you picked up software without consent or knowledge.
Just like Conduit Toolbar, Keybar (Key Bar) Toolbar is frequently distributed by third-parties who seek to generate a revenue stream off the confusion and misfortunes of internet users. In most cases a third-party (who distributes Key Bar software or bundles the browser attachment with their own software) is paid every time they are able to get a new user to download and install Key Bar Toolbar, click sponsored search results, install associated and promoted software, and more.
How to remove Key Bar malware
- Uninstall Key Bar Toolbar – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to the KeyBar Search redirect (from 2 options)
- Remove Key Bar Toolbar – Remove browser add-ons and extensions
- Automatically remove Key Bar malware – Scan for and remove malware infecting your computer system
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked settings and automatically uninstall unwanted software
- Manually remove KeyBar Search homepage
- Manually remove Key Bar Search Engine
1. Uninstall Key Bar Toolbar (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for Key Bar Toolbar (KeyBar) and unwanted third party software (including programs you recently installed). Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote the Key Bar Toolbar browser hijacker.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the found software click Run Uninstaller.
2. Remove unwanted browser attachments
If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension such as Dale Toolbar. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the KeyBar Toolbar extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the KeyBar Toolbar add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the KeyBar Toolbar add-on and remove it if located.
3. Automatically remove Key Bar malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove KeyBar Toolbar and/or third-party malware from your computer system.
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).
4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to KeyBar Search and other unwanted search engines.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “game or search” in the title or filename.
5. Manually remove KeyBar Search homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove KeyBar Search from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove KeyBar Search from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove KeyBar Search and replace it with your preferred URL.
6. Manually remove KeyBar Search Engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the KeyBar Search search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the KeyBar Search search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to the KeyBar Search search engine to remove it.
Please note, If KeyBar is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove KeyBar by clicking the X next to it.
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