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Want to improve the speed of your PC? Just Ask.
PUP.Optional.APNToolbar is Malwarebytes’ generic detection name for toolbars of the Ask Partner Network (APN).
Users will notice a browser toolbar, which is typically identified by the red Ask icon. PUP.Optional.APNToolbar is a well-known browser hijacker that, over time, was replaced by the newer Mindspark toolbar. Its EULA and Privacy Policy vary from software to software; however, they always clearly state their intentions.
PUP.Optional.APNToolbar is usually installed by the users themselves, who may be prompted by exaggerated promises of functionality. It provides toolbars and Ask.com start pages claiming to offer helpful tools for user hobbies and interests.
Malwarebytes protected users from PUP.Optional.APNToolbar by using real-time protection.
Malwarebytes blocks PUP.Optional.APNToolbar
Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.APNToolbar without further user interaction.
Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.
If you want to allow the program to connect to the Internet, for example to fetch updates, also add an exclusion of the type Allow an application to connect to the internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.
Associated folders:
%ProgramFiles%\AskPartnerNetwork\Toolbar
%ProgramData%\AskPartnerNetwork
%ProgramData%\APN
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