Should I remove HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar?
What percent of users and experts removed it?
88% remove it12% keep it
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #30,475
United States Rank #32,188
Reach 0.0046%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 14.76 days
435.28 days >
Average installed length: 228.71 days
Versions
| Version | Distribution |
| 6.15.0.200 |
1.10% |
|
| 6.15.0.27 |
20.88% |
|
| 6.14.0.28 |
8.79% |
|
| 6.13.3.505 |
28.57% |
|
| 6.13.3.1 |
2.20% |
|
| 6.12.0.11 |
7.69% |
|
| 6.11.2.6 |
7.69% |
|
| 6.10.3.27 |
9.89% |
|
| 6.9.0.16 |
8.79% |
|
| 6.8.5.1 |
1.10% |
|
| 6.7.0.6 |
1.10% |
|
| 5.7.2.2 |
2.20% |
|
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- #30,474 Phoenix Service Software 2012.36.001.48629 by Seidea.com
- #30,475 HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar by AnchorFree Inc
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HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar
What is HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar?
HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar is a 'Community Toolbar' from Conduit, which integrates with major web browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer. The toolbar is an ad-supported program that is designed to display advertisements within the program itself, modify the browser's home page and search settings in order to capture web search traffic as well as collect and aggregate usage information and statistics. The toolbar is typically bundled with 3rd party developer programs in order to help monetize free (and some paid) software. During installation, the user might be given the option to modify the home and search pages, however this is often checked by default and overlooked. Should the software be removed from the user's PC, the settings will need to be manually reverted back (see details below). The company, based on the EULA, will automatically download and install remote updates as well as collect and store details about the user's web browsing activities and store it locally on the PC in order to interact with the toolbar application to suggest additional services or provide more targeted advertising. "By Using a Conduit Software you may enable Conduit to access, use and collect a variety of information, both personal and non-personal, regarding your Internet Browser, your browsing habits, and information about your computer." - from the license agreement.
About (from AnchorFree Inc)
We may combine the web search information with other non-personally identifiable Application information and if we do, some of the otherwise non-personally identifiable Application information may become personally identifiable information.
Each Application includes a new search box for your use and enjoyment. ... Read more
Overview
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- Built on and distributed using the Conduit toolbar
- Typically distributed through a pay-per-install bundle
- Injects advertisements unassociated with the underlying web page
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar.
| tbHotS.dll (73406fa9287b36ca4163797c73a2cd04) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
7.9267 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25244 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbHotS.dll (d0133250565180c9dc8ee0aecccbfd53) has been flagged by the following 12 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Antiy-AVL |
1.0.0.1 |
GrayWare[WebToolbar:not-a-virus]/Win32.Agent.azm |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.M |
| Cyren |
5.4.16.7 |
W32/Conduit.TTAU-0102 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
11248 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.N potentially unwanted |
| F-Prot |
4.7.1.166 |
W32/Conduit.A |
| G Data |
25 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| K7 AntiVirus |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| K7GW |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| Kaspersky |
15.0.1.10 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.azm |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
37998 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbHot0.dll (c89d9c80fd468c6b51c4aadcc8463c2d) has been flagged by the following 7 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
PUA.Win32.Conduit.BX |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10643 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.X |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/Toolbar_Conduit |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34366 |
Conduit (fs) |
| HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe (a320df2b47cfcaf98d06eb59cd72084c) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware.C534 |
| Dr.Web |
7.0.12.3050 |
Adware.Conduit.300 |
| G Data |
25 |
Win32.Adware.Conduit.B |
| IKARUS anti.virus |
T3.1.6.1.0 |
PUA.ClientConnect |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| tbHot0.dll (90a1b31ba3d3c1fd73b6021c1d8c1c8f) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17602 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.r |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9281 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
Adware/Conduit |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25382 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbHotS.dll (76b3946090c94bb38dbbca54ac8ff9f7) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9264 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25220 |
Conduit (fs) |
| uninstall.exe (b728fa6a309e5d18141947b95b730e95) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
26380 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbHot0.dll (ce49528c9b0b3b3018ee2f70e76b362a) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9148 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
24150 |
Conduit (fs) |
View all 36 all detections
HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software. If you have not purposefully installed this, you should be safe uninstalling it.
Program details
Displayed publisher: HotSpot Shield Elite
URL: HotSpotShieldElite.OurToolbar.com
Help link: HotSpotShieldElite.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\hotspot_shield_elite
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\HotSpot_Shield_Elite\uninstall.exe toolbar
Estimated size: 4.85 MB
This is a Community Toolbar by Conduit, what does that mean?
Conduit is a toolbar monetization platform for software publishers. It provides a utility for developers to create branded generic web browser toolbars. Publishers can bundle these toolbars with their software programs or provide access to download them separately through HotSpotShieldElite.OurToolbar.com. Once installed, the toolbar modifies the browser's home page and search settings in order to redirect searches through the Conduit portal (which utilizes Bing or Yahoo! Search engines). Read more...Each publisher enters into a 'Publisher Agreement' with Conduit which defines the revenue structure, known as the 'incentive amount', to be paid each calendar month in which the user has an active toolbar installed. Typically payout is based on the geographic origin of the user and ranges from $2 for a US user per month to just a few cents for other countries. Is it considered dangerous? Well, it's not malware or even spyware, however it changes the browser’s search provider in order to display, but if you read the EULA that is mentioned and presumably agreed on when installing. Users should decide if you need the functionality the toolbar has to offer. But remember, if you uninstall it make sure you reset your web browser, see how.
Files installed by HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar
| Program module: | tbHotS.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Signed by: | Conduit Ltd. |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\hotspot_shield_elite\tbHotS.dll |
| MD5: | 73406fa9287b36ca4163797c73a2cd04 |
| Conduit Toolbar web browser plugin for the various toolbars running on the Conduit Toolbar platform is the browser addin installed into Internet Explorer which has the ability to access and monitor all loaded and requested web pages and... |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe (by Conduit) - ToolbarHelper Application
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
hk64tbHot0.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hktbHot0.dll
-
ldrtbHot0.dll
-
ldrtbHotS.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbHot0.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbHotS.dll
-
tbHot0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbHotS.dll
Behaviors exhibited
3 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbHotS.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} (MyMatch_v2b).
- tbHotS.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with the class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa}.
- prxtbHot0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Radio Masha Toolbar' with the class of {7d05e712-71cd-49ed-9628-9ee79534b87a} (Radio Masha).
2 Internet Explorer Bars
- tbHotS.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'HotSpot International Findbar' with a class of {E7B933F6-FC68-4603-8C33-69AF90051503}.
- prxtbHotS.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'BitTorrentControl_v10 Findbar' with a class of {61B7EA61-DF56-4683-A474-BFDE2AD56316}.
3 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbHotS.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa}.
- tbHotS.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with the class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa}.
- prxtbHot0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Radio Masha Toolbar' with the class of {7d05e712-71cd-49ed-9628-9ee79534b87a}.
3 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbHotS.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with a class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- tbHotS.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with a class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbHot0.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Radio Masha Toolbar' with a class of {7d05e712-71cd-49ed-9628-9ee79534b87a} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
3 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbHotS.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'forarabnetwork Toolbar' with a class of {C9158ECF-5F0C-412E-856C-A9B6256AFF11}.
- tbHotS.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with a class of {6DABBDA0-1DA5-4A2F-BC89-2AE084C572FA}.
- prxtbHot0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'iNTERNET TURBO Toolbar' with a class of {09152F0B-739C-4DEC-A245-1AA8A37594F1}.
2 Scheduled Tasks
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{42CD7A24-AF4B-44A0-A119-1C6F9B6E2A90}' (runs on registration).
- HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe |
| Total CPU: | 0.4892737327% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.29804920% | |
| User CPU: | 0.19122453% | |
How do I remove HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar?
You can uninstall HotSpot Shield Elite 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 HotSpot Shield Elite 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 HotSpot Shield Elite 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 HotSpot Shield Elite 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 7 (SP1) 64%
Win Vista (SP2) 2%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 88%
Keep it 12%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
70.33% |
|
| Windows 10 |
19.78% |
|
| Windows XP |
7.69% |
|
| Windows Vista |
2.20% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
30.77% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
23.08% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
10.99% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
7.69% |
|
| Windows 8 |
5.49% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Basic |
3.30% |
|
Geography
38.00% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
38.00% |
| Iran |
9.00% |
| Saudi Arabia |
9.00% |
| United Arab Emirates |
5.00% |
| Canada |
4.00% |
| United Kingdom |
4.00% |
| Germany |
2.00% |
| OM |
2.00% |
| Greece |
2.00% |
| Qatar |
2.00% |
| France |
2.00% |
| MA |
2.00% |
| GE |
1.00% |
| Kuwait |
1.00% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
20.97% |
|
| Dell |
17.74% |
|
| ASUS |
14.52% |
|
| Acer |
11.29% |
|
| Lenovo |
9.68% |
|
| Toshiba |
9.68% |
|
| Sony |
6.45% |
|
| Samsung |
3.23% |
|
| Alienware |
3.23% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
1.61% |
|
| American Megatrends |
1.61% |
|
Common models |
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
4.00% |
|
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
4.00% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5050 |
2.67% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite P775 |
1.33% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite P750 |
1.33% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite C655 |
1.33% |
|
About AnchorFree Inc
AnchorFree provides online privacy and security solutions for Web users, advertisers, and publishers.
Publisher URL: www.anchorfree.com