Removal Guide for the FindMeFreebies Toolbar and Associated Browser Hijacker

The FindMeFreebies toolbar is a browser add-on developed by Mindspark Inc. that claims to enhance a user's Internet browsing experience by helping them locate free products, samples, and services. Although this functionality may appear legitimate, the application is categorized by security sources as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), adware, and a browser hijacker. Upon installation, this toolbar modifies browser settings to redirect users to the home.tb.ask.com website and tracks user browsing activity. The application typically infiltrates operating systems through a deceptive software marketing method known as 'bundling,' which involves the stealth installation of additional applications alongside chosen software. This guide provides detailed instructions for removing the FindMeFreebies toolbar from Windows and macOS systems, as well as from specific Internet browsers.

Understanding the FindMeFreebies Toolbar

The FindMeFreebies toolbar is designed to alter the user's Internet browsing experience by assigning the homepage and default search engine settings to home.tb.ask.com. This modification occurs immediately after successful infiltration. Furthermore, the toolbar tracks users' Internet browsing history by recording IP addresses, browser types, default language settings, search queries, and other information. Most current freeware download websites utilize small programs, known as download managers, to monetize their free services. These download managers often bundle additional software, such as the FindMeFreebies toolbar, which users may overlook during installation, leading to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.

General Removal Overview

Removing the FindMeFreebies toolbar involves a multi-step process that typically includes uninstalling the associated program from the operating system, removing malicious add-ons or extensions from web browsers, and resetting browser settings to their defaults. In some cases, scanning the computer with anti-malware software is recommended to ensure all components are removed.

Operating System Removal Procedures

Windows Users

To fully remove the FindMeFreebies toolbar and its components from a Windows operating system, users should follow these steps:

Uninstall Suspicious Programs:
- Navigate to the Control Panel. For Windows 7 users, click Start, choose Control Panel, locate Programs, and click Uninstall a program. For Windows 8 and Windows 10 users, access Programs and Features by right-clicking the Start button or using the search function.
- In the uninstall programs window, look for "FindMeFreebies Internet Explorer Toolbar" or other unfamiliar programs associated with the toolbar, such as "Conduit" or "Ask Toolbar."
- Select the entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove."
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
End Background Processes:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Processes tab.
- Look for processes related to the toolbar or other suspicious applications.
- Select the process and click "End Task."
Clear Registry Entries (Advanced Option):
- Toolbars can sometimes leave traces in the Windows Registry. While specific instructions for registry editing are not detailed in the provided sources, advanced users may need to locate and remove keys related to "FindMeFreebies" or "Mindspark" using the Registry Editor (regedit). Extreme caution is advised when modifying the registry.
Run Anti-Malware Software:
- After uninstalling the program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components.
- Recommended tools include Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner, or Combo Cleaner.
- Ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date for effective removal. Note that while a free trial is often available, full removal may require purchasing a license for the software.

macOS (OSX) Users

To remove the FindMeFreebies toolbar from a Mac, users should execute the following steps:

Uninstall the Program via Applications:
- Click Finder and select Applications from the sidebar.
- Look for any program related to the unwanted toolbar. This may include a folder called "Toolbars" or folders with the toolbar company's name (e.g., "Mindspark," "Conduit").
- Drag the application or folder from the Applications folder to the Trash located in your Dock.
- Right-click the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash" to permanently delete the files.
Close Suspicious Processes:
- Press Command + Space to open Spotlight and type "Activity Monitor."
- Look for any suspicious processes that match the toolbar or its name.
- Select the process and click the "X" button to quit it.
Remove Remaining Files (Advanced Option):
- To ensure complete removal, check the Library folder for associated files.
- Open Finder, click "Go" in the menu bar, and select "Go to Folder." Type ~/Library and press Enter.
- Check the Application Support folder for any folders named "Conduit" or related to the toolbar and delete them.
- Check the Input Managers folder for anything labeled "CTLoader" and delete it.
Run a Security Scan:
- Use anti-virus tools such as Malwarebytes for Mac or Avast Security to scan the system for adware or malware to ensure all toolbar-related files are removed.

Browser-Specific Removal Instructions

After uninstalling the associated program from the operating system, it is necessary to remove the toolbar extension from the web browser and reset settings that may have been changed.

Google Chrome

Remove the Extension:
- Click the Menu button (three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
- Hover over "Tools" and click "Extensions."
- Locate "FindMeFreebies" or any unwanted toolbar in the list.
- Click the trashcan icon to remove it.
- Restart the browser.
Change Homepage and Search Engine:
- Go to Chrome Settings.
- Look for "On startup" and "Search engine" sections to ensure home.tb.ask.com is removed and your preferred settings are restored.
Reset Chrome Settings (Optional):
- If problems persist, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults.

Mozilla Firefox

Remove the Extension:
- Click the Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner.
- Select "Add-ons and Themes" (or "Add-ons").
- Click the "Extensions" tab.
- Locate the unwanted toolbar and click the three dots next to it, then select "Remove."
- Restart the browser.
Reset Homepage and Search:
- Go to Settings > Home.
- Ensure the homepage is set to the desired URL.
- In Search settings, ensure the default search engine is not set to "Ask Web Search."

Microsoft Edge

Remove the Extension:
- Click the Menu button (three horizontal dots) in the upper right corner.
- Select "Extensions."
- Manage the extensions list to remove any unwanted toolbars.
Reset Search Engines:
- Click the Menu button > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down to "Address bar and search."
- In the "Search engines used in address bar" section, look for the unwanted Internet search engine (e.g., Ask Web Search).
- Click the "Disable" button next to it, or click "Manage search engines" to disable or remove it.
Reset Browser Settings:
- Go to Settings > Reset settings.
- Select "Restore settings to their default values."
- Click the "Reset" button to confirm.

Internet Explorer

Remove the Add-on:
- Click the "gear" icon in the upper right corner.
- Select "Manage Add-ons."
- In the "Toolbars and Extensions" section, look for "FindMeFreebies," "Toolbar BHO," and "Search Assistant BHO."
- Select these entries and click "Remove."
Change Homepage:
- Click the "gear" icon and select "Internet Options."
- In the "General" tab, remove home.tb.ask.com from the Home page field.
- Enter your preferred URL or "about:blank" to open a blank page.
Change Default Search Engine:
- In "Manage Add-ons," select "Search Providers."
- Set "Google," "Bing," or another preferred search engine as the default.
- Remove "Ask Web Search."
Reset Internet Explorer Settings:
- If removal problems continue, reset settings to default.
- Windows XP: Click Start > Run, type inetcpl.cpl, click the Advanced tab, and click Reset.
- Windows Vista/7: Click the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the search box, press Enter, click the Advanced tab, and click Reset.
- Windows 8: Open Internet Explorer, click the gear icon, select "Internet options," go to the Advanced tab, and click Reset.

Safari

Remove the Extension:
- Click the Safari menu and select "Preferences."
- Click the "Extensions" tab.
- Select the toolbar you want to remove and click "Uninstall."
- Restart your browser.
Reset Homepage and Search:
- In Preferences > General, ensure the Homepage is set correctly.
- In Preferences > Search, ensure the search engine is set to the desired option.

Conclusion

The FindMeFreebies toolbar is a deceptive application that modifies browser settings and tracks user data. It typically enters systems via software bundling during the installation of freeware. To effectively remove this toolbar, users must uninstall the associated program from their operating system (Windows or macOS), remove the extension from all installed web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari), and reset browser settings to their defaults. For persistent infections, utilizing anti-malware software such as Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner is a recommended final step to ensure the system is clean.