84,488,480 programs installed

Should I remove PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar?

What percent of users and experts removed it?
79% remove it21% keep it
Overall Sentiment
Bad
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #38,749
United States Rank #23,879
Reach 0.0027%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 4.55 days
134.24 days >
Average installed length: 70.53 days

Other programs by Mindspark Interactive Network

PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar

What is PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar?

PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar is an advertising-supported web browser toolbar that may modify the browser's home page, search provider and new tab pages. Changes to the browser include the following modifications:

- Change of the default home page and new tabs and protect your search settings
- Change of the default search engine in your Internet Browser, including the browser's built-in search box
- Addition of alternative error page functionality, such as “Page Not Found”

About  (from Mindspark Interactive Network)

We may supply some of the information we collect from you to our affiliates and/or third parties so that we or they can provide certain elements or features in connection with the Toolbar. We may use search-query data to identify subject-matter search categories for use in classifying queries and targeting advertising ...  Read more

Overview

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. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). The main program executable is apBar.dll. Typically most users end up uninstalling this just after a few days. The software installer includes 75 files and is usually about 11.83 MB (12,409,079 bytes).
  • Possible malware installed by this program
  • Automatically starts with Windows
  • Loads into the web browser
  • Installs a Windows Service
  • Typically distributed through a pay-per-install bundle
  • Hijacks the web browser's home page
  • Hijacks the browser's default search provider
  • The wisdom of the crowd agrees, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar.
apBar.dll (96a060cf33a2c42617cf13224a47db07) has been flagged by the following 8 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareVersionDetection
avast! 2014.9-140423 Win32:Mindspark-A [PUP]
AVG 2015.0.3496 Zango
Baidu-International 4.0.3.14530 Adware.Win32.Mindspark.81
Kingsoft AntiVirus 331020.49267 Win32.Troj.Undef.(kcloud)
Panda Antivirus 14.05.30.12 Adware/WebSearch
Tencent 1.0.0.1 Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Hupc
TrendMicro-HouseCall 7.2.150 TROJ_GEN.F47V0404
VIPRE Antivirus 29700 MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious)
apSrcAs.dll (779662595f6b51bb86f96eccc230f13c) has been flagged by the following 18 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
AhnLab-V3 2014.10.18.00 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 14.0.0.4040 MyWebSearch
AVware 1.5.0.21 MyWebSearch.J (v)
Baidu-International 3.5.1.41473 Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.aRmS
ESET-NOD32 10579 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.AC
Fortinet FortiGate 5.1.152.0 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
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.2.62671 Riskware.Win32.Toolbar.dfqike
Qihoo-360 1.0.0.1015 Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b
Tencent 1.0.0.1 Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Aisc
TrendMicro-HouseCall 9.700.0.1001 Suspicious_GEN.F47V0812
VIPRE Antivirus 34006 MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious)
Zillya 2.0.0.1958 Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.902
apbarsvc.exe (b3dae11b5316528e6853a94d39e141e3) has been flagged by the following 18 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
Agnitum Outpost 5.5.1.3 PUA.Toolbar.MyWebSearch!
AhnLab-V3 2014.11.14.00 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.aI
ESET-NOD32 10722 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
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.6.63362 Riskware.Win32.Toolbar.dfqijl
Qihoo-360 1.0.0.1015 Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b
Tencent 1.0.0.1 Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Pgms
VIPRE Antivirus 34774 MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious)
Zillya 2.0.0.1982 Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.1228
APPINTEGRATOR.EXE (b83db01d9e4bd53c9b65214806b54eb7) has been flagged by the following 16 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
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
apSrchMn.exe (3c93215de9cc97c60b1892ad8dbe4411) has been flagged by the following 16 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
AhnLab-V3 2014.11.14.00 Trojan/Win32.Buzus
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.abZ
ESET-NOD32 10722 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.Lmut
VIPRE Antivirus 34774 MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious)
Zillya 2.0.0.1982 Adware.MyWebSearch.Win32.1351
apmedint.exe (4de35f24efb8446518e0586fd54043b8) has been flagged by the following 15 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
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
AppIntegrator64.exe (143d634f4f93155d3a4d430c2cf60d11) has been flagged by the following 12 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
AhnLab-V3 2014.10.09.00 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 14.0.0.4037 Zango
Baidu-International 3.5.1.41473 Adware.Win32.MyWebSearch.Aki
Fortinet FortiGate 5.1.152.0 Riskware/MyWebSearch
Kaspersky 12.0.0.1225 not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.MyWebSearch.si
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.MindSpark
Panda Antivirus 10.0.4.2 Adware/WebSearch
Qihoo-360 1.0.0.1015 Win32/Virus.WebToolbar.30b
Tencent 1.0.0.1 Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Dvqb
VIPRE Antivirus 33754 MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious)
       View all 103 all detections
PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer 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 detailsProgram details

URL: support.mindspark.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\PuzzleGamesDaily_ap\bar\1.bin
Uninstaller: rundll32 "C:\Program Files\PuzzleGamesDaily_ap\bar\1.bin\apBar.dll",O mindsparktoolbarkey="PuzzleGamesDaily_ap" uninstalltype=IE
Estimated size: 11.83 MB

Program filesFiles installed by PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar

Program module:apBar.dll (Malware detected)
Name:Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer
Mindspark Toolbar Platform
Path:C:\Program Files\PuzzleGamesDaily_ap\bar\1.bin\apBar.dll
MD5:96a060cf33a2c42617cf13224a47db07
Additional files:
  • (Malware detected) apbar.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer and Firefox (Mindspark Toolbar Platform)
  • apregfft.dll
  • apregiet.dll
  • aphkstub.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform IE Search Box Protector Stub
  • apreghk.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform IE Search Box Protector
  • (Malware detected) apbarsvc.exe - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer
  • apbprtct.dll
  • apdatact.dll
  • apdlghk.dll
  • apdlghk64.dll
  • apfeedmg.dll
  • aphighin.exe
  • aphtmlmu.dll
  • aphttpct.dll
  • apidle.dll
  • (Malware detected) apmedint.exe
  • apmlbtn.dll
  • AppIntegrator.exe
  • (Malware detected) AppIntegrator64.exe
  • AppIntegratorStub.dll
  • AppIntegratorStub64.dll
  • apPlugin.dll
  • apscript.dll
  • apskin.dll
  • apskplay.exe
  • (Malware detected) apSrcAs.dll
  • (Malware detected) apSrchMn.exe
  • apsrchmr.dll
  • AssistMonitor.dll
  • AssistMonitor64.dll
  • BAT.dll
  • CrExt.dll
  • CrExtPap.exe
  • DpnMngr.dll
  • HiddenToolbarReminder.dll
  • HkFxMgr.dll
  • HkFxMgr64.dll
  • HPG.DLL
  • Hpg64.dll
  • InstallEnabler.dll
  • t8EPMSup.dll
  • T8EXTEX.DLL
  • T8EXTPEX.DLL
  • T8HTML.DLL
  • t8Res.dll
  • T8TICKER.DLL
  • ToolbarGuard.dll
  • ToolbarGuard64.dll
  • Verify.dll
  • apauxstb.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform
  • apauxstb64.dll
  • apieovr.dll
  • apradio.dll - Mindspark Radio
  • TPIManagerConsole.exe - TPIManager (Third-Party Product Installer)
  • aptpinst.dll - ThirdPartyInstaller Module
  • installKeys.js

Program behaviorsBehaviors exhibited

2 Internet Explorer BHOs
  • apSrcAs.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'PuzzleGamesDaily' with the class of {d072e882-357b-4e6e-96a9-83dcb9b626a7}.
  • apbar.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Toolbar BHO' with the class of {958b48c5-eebd-4a53-b6c7-7e3b63383533}.
Internet Explorer Extension
  • apbar.dll is installed as an Internet Explorer extension using the class {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263}.
Internet Explorer Toolbar
  • apbar.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'PuzzleGamesDaily' with the class of {c3e49807-f612-45db-aef6-b0f5b68fae27}.
2 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
  • apSrcAs.dll is loaded in Internet Explorer as a URL search hook using the CLSID {15871ceb-053b-48a1-b82b-3715db3a13b3} and is used by IE to redirect the address of an unknown typed URLs.
  • apbar.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar' with a class of {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
  • apbar.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'PuzzleGamesDaily' with a class of {C3E49807-F612-45DB-AEF6-B0F5B68FAE27}.
Mozilla Plugin
  • apbar.dll is loaded into Mozilla Firefox under the product name 'McAfee Total Protection' with a plugin key of '@mcafee.com/MSC,version=10' for all users of the PC.
Scheduled Task
  • AppIntegrator64.exe is scheduled as a task named 'Price Fountain' (runs daily at 4:45 PM).
4 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
  • AppIntegrator64.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 7.
  • apSrchMn.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 3.
  • apmedint.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 2.
  • APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named OnlineMapFinder AppIntegrator 32-bit_Reg_HKLMWow6432Run.
Service
  • apbarsvc.exe runs as a service named 'PuzzleGamesDailyService' (PuzzleGamesDaily_apService).
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.
6 Startup Files (All Users Run)
  • AppIntegrator64.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'FromDocToPDF Search Scope Monitor' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\FROMDO~2\bar\1.bin\65srchmn.exe" /m=2 /w /h.
  • apmedint.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'FindYourMaps EPM Support' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\FINDYO~1\bar\1.bin\dpmedint.exe" T8EPMSUP.DLL,S.
  • APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'DailyRecipeGuide AppIntegrator 32-bit' which loads as C:\Program Files2\DAILYR~2\bar\1.bin\AppIntegrator.exe.
  • apbarsvc.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.
  • apSrchMn.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'YourLocalLotto Toolbar EPM Support' which loads as "C:\Program Files2\YOURLO~2\bar\1.bin\20medint.exe" T8EPMSUP.DLL,S.
  • apbar.dll is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'WeatherBlink' which loads as rundll32 C:\Program Files1\WEATHE~2\bar\1.bin\gcbar.dll,S.

How do I remove PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar?

You can uninstall PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
  1. 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.
  2. When you find the program PuzzleGamesDaily 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).
  3. Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar.
  4. 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 PuzzleGamesDaily Internet Explorer Toolbar you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome

OS VERSIONS
Win 10 72%
Win 7 (SP1) 28%
 
HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
 
USER ACTIONS
Uninstall it 79%
Keep it 21%

Windows OS versionsWindows

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 10 71.70%
Windows 7 28.30%
Which OS releases does it run on?
Windows 8.1 41.51%
Windows 10 Home 24.53%
Windows 7 Home Premium 20.75%
Windows 7 Professional 3.77%
Windows 7 Ultimate 3.77%
Windows 10 Pro 1.89%

Distribution by countryGeography

87.80% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
  United States 87.80%
  Canada 6.10%
  United Kingdom 2.44%
  Norway 1.22%
  DK 1.22%
  Turkey 1.22%

OEM distributionPC manufacturers

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Hewlett-Packard 32.65%
Dell 18.37%
Acer 16.33%
Toshiba 10.20%
Lenovo 8.16%
ASUS 6.12%
Samsung 4.08%
Sony 2.04%
MSI 2.04%
Common models
Dell Inspiron 3847 7.84%
Hewlett-Packard h9-1350 5.88%
TOSHIBA Satellite C55-B 3.92%
HP Pavilion 17 Notebook P... 3.92%
HP 15 Notebook PC 3.92%
Acer Aspire E5-571 3.92%

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

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