BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar
Overview
BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar is a program developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. Upon installation and setup, it defines an auto-start registry entry which makes this program run on each Windows boot for all user logins. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. The program adds a toolbar to Microsoft Internet Explorer. The main program executable is ekBar.dll. A vast majority of those who have this installed end up removing it just after a couple weeks. The software installer includes 40 files and is usually about 10.34 MB (10,845,658 bytes). In comparison to the total number of users, most PCs are running the OS Windows 10 as well as Windows 7 (SP1). The distribution of this has mostly been seen in the United States.
- Possible malware installed by this program
- Automatically starts with Windows
- Loads into the web browser
- Installs a Windows Service
- Many experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar.
| ekBar.dll (50ba908624982e111c80cc3dd4a6e76e) has been flagged by the following 19 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
7.1.1 |
PUA.Toolbar.MyWebSearch |
| Arcabit |
1.0.0.568 |
PUP.WebToolbar.MyWebSearch.eao |
| avast! |
2014.9-151101 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.7237 |
W32.HfsAdware |
| Comodo Security |
23361 |
Application.Win32.MyWebSearch.J |
| Cyren |
5.4.16.7 |
W32/Mywebsearch.K.gen!Eldorado |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.0305 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.103 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9.12359 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AS potentially unwanted |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
11/1/2015 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| F-Prot |
v6.4.7.1.166 |
W32/Mywebsearch.K.gen |
| G Data |
15.11.25 |
Win32.Application.Agent.GPPOB6 |
| Kaspersky |
14.0.0.1186 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch |
| Malwarebytes |
v2015.11.01.09 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.819 |
| Rising Antivirus |
23.00.65.151030 |
PE:Malware.RDM.40!5.2E[F1] |
| SUPERAntiSpyware |
9533 |
PUP.MindSpark/Variant |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
44304 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| Zillya |
2.0.0.2428 |
Adware.Toolbar.Win32.1524 |
View all 19 all detections
Program details
URL: support.mindspark.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\BigGameCountdown_ek\bar\1.bin
Uninstaller: rundll32 "C:\Program Files\BigGameCountdown_ek\bar\1.bin\ekBar.dll",O mindsparktoolbarkey="BigGameCountdown_ek" uninstalltype=IE
Estimated size: 10.34 MB
Files installed by BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar
| Program module: | ekBar.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer |
| Mindspark Toolbar Platform |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\BigGameCountdown_ek\bar\1.bin\ekBar.dll |
| MD5: | 50ba908624982e111c80cc3dd4a6e76e |
Additional files:
-
AppIntegrator.exe - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer (Mindspark Toolbar Platform)
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AppIntegrator64.exe
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AppIntegratorStub.dll
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AppIntegratorStub64.dll
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AssistMonitor.dll
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AssistMonitor64.dll
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BAT.dll
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CrExt.dll
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CrExtPek.exe
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DpnMngr.dll
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ekbar.dll
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ekbarsvc.exe
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ekbprtct.dll
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ekdlghk.dll
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ekdlghk64.dll
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ekhighin.exe
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ekhtmlmu.dll
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ekhttpct.dll
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ekidle.dll
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ekmedint.exe
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ekregiet.dll
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ekskin.dll
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ekskplay.exe
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ekSrcAs.dll
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HiddenToolbarReminder.dll
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HkFxMgr.dll
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HkFxMgr64.dll
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InstallEnabler.dll
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t8EPMSup.dll
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T8EXTEX.DLL
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T8EXTPEX.DLL
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T8HTML.DLL
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t8Res.dll
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T8TICKER.DLL
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ToolbarGuard.dll
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ToolbarGuard64.dll
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Verify.dll
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TPIManagerConsole.exe - TPIManager (Third-Party Product Installer)
-
ektpinst.dll - ThirdPartyInstaller Module
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- ekSrcAs.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'BigGameCountdown' with the class of {fe42c30d-b4be-4bc9-84f1-5b0771ad9822}.
- ekbar.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Toolbar BHO' with the class of {44fce07b-fbc6-4ca4-afe5-201a8b4b311d}.
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- ekbar.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'BigGameCountdown' with the class of {e80abb45-6320-4ac8-b312-c25f5f4c12ed}.
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- ekSrcAs.dll is loaded in Internet Explorer as a URL search hook using the CLSID {66792b1f-aa21-4f64-bd0d-9d3cd1ed68ab} and is used by IE to redirect the address of an unknown typed URLs.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
- ekbar.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'BigGameCountdown' with a class of {E80ABB45-6320-4AC8-B312-C25F5F4C12ED}.
Service
- ekbarsvc.exe runs as a service named 'BigGameCountdownService' (BigGameCountdown_ekService).
Startup File (All Users Run)
- ekmedint.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'BigGameCountdown EPM Support' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\BIGGAM~1\bar\1.bin\ekmedint.exe" t8EPMSup.dll,S.
How do I remove BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar?
You can uninstall BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar.
- If for some reason uninstallation fails, please install Microsoft's uninstall fixer utility which will help fix problems with programs that can't be uninstalled at support.microsoft.com.
How do I reset my web browser?
If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by BigGameCountdown Internet Explorer Toolbar you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
- The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.
Mozilla Firefox
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
- To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
- When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
- Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.
- When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.
- Restart Google Chrome.
OS VERSIONS
Win 10 82%
Win 7 (SP1) 18%
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HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
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USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 61%
Keep it 39%
|
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 10 |
81.82% |
|
| Windows 7 |
18.18% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 10 Home |
45.45% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
36.36% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
18.18% |
|
Geography
100.00% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
54.55% |
|
| Acer |
18.18% |
|
| Lenovo |
9.09% |
|
| Dell |
9.09% |
|
| ASUS |
9.09% |
|
Common models |
| LENOVO Lenovo H410 10060 |
9.09% |
|
| HP Pavilion Sleekbook 15 |
9.09% |
|
| HP Pavilion P6000 Series |
9.09% |
|
| HP 15 Notebook PC |
9.09% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard 450-a24 |
9.09% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard 23-b010 |
9.09% |
|
About Mindspark Interactive Network
Mindspark is a business unit of IAC that focuses on interactive products and web portals and operates IAC's interactive products and web portals such as Life123, Myway.
Publisher URL: www.mindspark.com