PUP.Optional.APNToolbar

Short bio

PUP.Optional.APNToolbar is Malwarebytes’ generic detection name for toolbars of the Ask Partner Network (APN).

Type and source of infection

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.

Protection

Malwarebytes protected users from PUP.Optional.APNToolbar by using real-time protection.

Malwarebytes blocks PUP.Optional.APNToolbar

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.APNToolbar without further user interaction.

Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
Click on the Get started button.
Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
Click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.

Exclusion

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.

Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
Click the Detection History
Click the Allow List
To add an item to the Allow List, click Add.
Select the exclusion type Allow a file or folder and use the Select a folder button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
Repeat this for any secondary files or folder(s) that belong to the software.

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.