Should I remove hosts?

Lifespan of installation (until removal)

Versions

Version	Distribution
1.27.153.7	100.00%

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from Alex

Remove hosts by Alex

This is a web browser extension and Browser helper Object (for Internet Explorer) that delivers contextual based advertising to the web browser. In addition it will modify the user's browser home and search pages as well as 'New Tab' pages to push advertising and search. The software acts is typically defined as a unwanted application by various malware vendors. The BHO is based on the CrossRider platform for developing toolbars and various cross-browser extensions.

It adds a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to Internet Explorer. The primary executable is named hosts-bho.dll. Many users end up uninstalling this after less than a month of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 9 files and is usually about 4.47 MB (4,691,993 bytes).

This browser extension utilizes Crossrider framework, a cross-browser toolbar/plugin platform used to develop, deploy and monetize web browser toolbars for Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox. Crossrider extension provide monetization options, mostly potentially unwanted apps, for toolbars including coupons, search assistant (home page and search hijacking) and in-text contextual advertising. Many adware programs (defined by a number of anti-virus vendors) are built using Crossrider as it provides a quick an easy way to deploy ad-supported features that will assist in browser search hijacking.

Installation folder: C:\Program Files\hosts

Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\hosts\Uninstall.exe /fromcontrolpanel=1

Estimated size: 4.47 MB

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 hosts, 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 hosts.
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.

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
2. 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.
3. The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
2. To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
3. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.

1. Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Restart Google Chrome.

OS VERSIONS Win 7 (SP1) 58% Win 7 0%

USER ACTIONS Uninstall it 67% Keep it 33%

GLOBAL RANK #9,007

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?

United States	30.70%
Brazil	4.24%
Australia	3.55%
Canada	3.55%
MA	3.44%
Indonesia	2.75%
Saudi Arabia	2.63%
India	2.29%
France	2.06%
Philippines	1.95%
MK	1.72%
Croatia	1.72%
Romania	1.60%
Poland	1.60%

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?

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