MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar
Overview
MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar is a software program developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. During setup, the program creates a startup registration point in Windows in order to automatically start when any user boots the PC. Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. 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 primary executable is named ebBar.dll. Many users end up uninstalling this after less than a month of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 46 files and is usually about 9.69 MB (10,158,652 bytes). Relative to the overall usage of those who have this installed, most are running it on Windows 10. While about 84% of users of MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar come from the United States, it is also popular in United Kingdom.
- Malware detected in the program
- Automatically starts with Windows
- Integrates into the web browser
- Installs a Windows Service
- The wisdom of the experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar.
| ebBar.dll (9bd7fb08514a6213b89f6969e31030e5) has been flagged by the following 21 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
7.1.1 |
PUA.Toolbar.MyWebSearch |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2015.08.13 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| Antiy-AVL |
1.0.0.1 |
RiskWare[WebToolbar]/Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| avast! |
2014.9-150816 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
2016.0.3015 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
4.0.3.15816 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.7062 |
W32.HfsAdware |
| Cyren |
5.4.16.7 |
W32/Mywebsearch.K.gen!Eldorado |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.0228 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.82 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9.12086 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AS potentially unwanted |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
8/16/2015 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| F-Prot |
v6.4.7.1.166 |
W32/Mywebsearch.K.gen |
| G Data |
15.8.25 |
Win32.Adware.Mindspark |
| Kaspersky |
14.0.0.1571 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch |
| Malwarebytes |
v2015.08.16.07 |
PUP.Optional.Mindspark.A |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Rising Antivirus |
23.00.65.15814 |
PE:Malware.MyWebSearch!6.1E62 |
| SUPERAntiSpyware |
9687 |
PUP.MindSpark/Variant |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
42842 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| Zillya |
2.0.0.2351 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.1702 |
| ebSrcAs.dll (aa5270eb6804dadda21905c65f2ab255) has been flagged by the following 17 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2014.11.21.00 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| Antiy-AVL |
1.0.0.1 |
RiskWare[WebToolbar:not-a-virus]/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| avast! |
8.0.1489.320 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
15.0.0.4189 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10755 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AK |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Adware.Mindspark.C |
| Kaspersky |
15.0.1.10 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| Kingsoft AntiVirus |
2013.4.9.267 |
Win32.Troj.MyWebSearch.si.(kcloud) |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Lndy |
| TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
Suspicious_GEN.F47V1106 |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34964 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| Zillya |
2.0.0.1988 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.902 |
| APPINTEGRATOR.EXE (b83db01d9e4bd53c9b65214806b54eb7) has been flagged by the following 16 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2014.11.21.00 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| avast! |
8.0.1489.320 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
15.0.0.4189 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10755 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AJ |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Adware.Mindspark.C |
| Kaspersky |
15.0.1.10 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| Kingsoft AntiVirus |
2013.4.9.267 |
Win32.Troj.MyWebSearch.si.(kcloud) |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Pepp |
| TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
Suspicious_GEN.F47V1106 |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34964 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| Zillya |
2.0.0.1988 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.1695 |
| ebmedint.exe (4de35f24efb8446518e0586fd54043b8) has been flagged by the following 15 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2014.10.25.00 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| avast! |
8.0.1489.320 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
14.0.0.4040 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10616 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AJ |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Adware.Mindspark.C |
| Kaspersky |
12.0.0.1225 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| Kingsoft AntiVirus |
2013.4.9.267 |
Win32.Troj.MyWebSearch.si.(kcloud) |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Pial |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34214 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| Zillya |
2.0.0.1966 |
Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.1392 |
| ebbarsvc.exe (eb0b3c1577773cb81ebc0a2507fccfdc) has been flagged by the following 14 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2014.10.25.00 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| avast! |
8.0.1489.320 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
14.0.0.4040 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10616 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AE |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/MyWebSearch |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Adware.Mindspark.C |
| Kaspersky |
12.0.0.1225 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| Kingsoft AntiVirus |
2013.4.9.267 |
Win32.Troj.MyWebSearch.si.(kcloud) |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Ajlj |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34214 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
| AppIntegrator64.exe (dde9c9b89b413a5868d7358511db5a6a) has been flagged by the following 10 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AhnLab-V3 |
2014.10.25.00 |
PUP/Win32.MyWebSearch |
| avast! |
8.0.1489.320 |
Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP] |
| AVG |
14.0.0.4040 |
MyWebSearch |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.bQ |
| Kaspersky |
12.0.0.1225 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.MindSpark |
| Qihoo-360 |
1.0.0.1015 |
Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b |
| Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Wwof |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34214 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
View all 93 all detections
Program details
URL: support.mindspark.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\MetroHotspot_eb\bar\2.bin
Uninstaller: rundll32 "C:\Program Files\MetroHotspot_eb\bar\2.bin\ebBar.dll",O mindsparktoolbarkey="MetroHotspot_eb" uninstalltype=IE
Estimated size: 9.69 MB
Files installed by MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar
| Program module: | ebBar.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer |
| Mindspark Toolbar Platform |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\MetroHotspot_eb\bar\2.bin\ebBar.dll |
| MD5: | 9bd7fb08514a6213b89f6969e31030e5 |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) APPINTEGRATOR.EXE - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer (Mindspark Toolbar Platform)
-
(Malware detected) AppIntegrator64.exe
-
APPINTEGRATORSTUB.DLL
-
AppIntegratorStub64.dll
-
ASSISTMONITOR.DLL
-
ASSISTMONITOR64.DLL
-
CREXT.DLL
-
CrExtPeb.exe
-
DPNMNGR.DLL
-
(Malware detected) ebbar.dll
-
(Malware detected) ebbarsvc.exe
-
ebbprtct.dll
-
ebdatact.dll
-
ebdlghk.dll
-
ebdlghk64.dll
-
ebfeedmg.dll
-
ebhighin.exe
-
ebhkstub.dll
-
ebhtmlmu.dll
-
ebhttpct.dll
-
ebidle.dll
-
(Malware detected) ebmedint.exe
-
ebmlbtn.dll
-
ebPlugin.dll
-
ebreghk.dll
-
ebregiet.dll
-
ebscript.dll
-
ebskin.dll
-
ebskplay.exe
-
(Malware detected) ebSrcAs.dll
-
HKFXMGR.DLL
-
HKFXMGR64.DLL
-
T8EPMSUP.DLL
-
T8EXTEX.DLL
-
T8EXTPEX.DLL
-
T8HTML.DLL
-
T8RES.DLL
-
T8TICKER.DLL
-
TOOLBARGUARD.DLL
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- ebbar.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Search-Results Toolbar' with the class of {377e5d4d-77e5-476a-8716-7e70a9272da0}.
- ebSrcAs.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Search Assistant BHO' with the class of {4db1f1c2-9443-412b-9217-53bee4893501}.
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- ebbar.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MindDabble' with the class of {30ea28da-b2b8-4555-a80e-310d546d5f3d}.
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- ebSrcAs.dll is loaded in Internet Explorer as a URL search hook using the CLSID {6021c495-2f25-412f-950d-3c93757874d6} and is used by IE to redirect the address of an unknown typed URLs.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
- ebbar.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'MindDabble' with a class of {30EA28DA-B2B8-4555-A80E-310D546D5F3D}.
2 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
- AppIntegrator64.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named OnlineMapFinder AppIntegrator 64-bit_Reg_HKLMWow6432Run.
- APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named OnlineMapFinder AppIntegrator 32-bit_Reg_HKLMWow6432Run.
Service
- ebbarsvc.exe runs as a service named 'InboxNowService' (InboxNow_drService).
2 Startup Files (User Run)
- APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'PowerSuite' and executes as "C:\Program Files1\Uniblue\POWERS~1\launcher.exe" delay 20000 -m.
- AppIntegrator64.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Hoolapp Android' and executes as "C:\users\user\appdata\Roaming\HOOLAP~1\Hoolapp.exe" /Minimized.
4 Startup Files (All Users Run)
- ebmedint.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'Utility Chest Search Scope Monitor' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\UTILIT~2\bar\1.bin\49srchmn.exe" /m=2 /w /h.
- AppIntegrator64.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'ReadingFanatic Search Scope Monitor' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\READIN~2\bar\1.bin\6xsrchmn.exe" /m=2 /w /h.
- APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'ListingsPortal Search Scope Monitor' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\LISTIN~1\bar\1.bin\e9srchmn.exe" /m=2 /w /h.
- ebbarsvc.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'SuddenlyMusic AppIntegrator 64-bit' which loads as C:\Program Files2\SUDDEN~2\bar\1.bin\AppIntegrator64.exe.
How do I remove MetroHotspot Internet Explorer Toolbar?
You can uninstall MetroHotspot 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 MetroHotspot 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 MetroHotspot 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 MetroHotspot 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.
HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 70%
Keep it 30%
|
|
|
MOST USED OS
~99%
Windows 10
|
Geography
84.21% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
84.21% |
| United Kingdom |
15.79% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
57.14% |
|
| Dell |
28.57% |
|
| ASUS |
14.29% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion 15 Notebook P... |
25.00% |
|
| HP 15 Notebook PC |
12.50% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard 110-291ea |
12.50% |
|
| Dell XPS 2720 |
12.50% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 580 |
12.50% |
|
| ASUSTeK X553MA |
12.50% |
|
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