Should I remove Appstein?

Lifespan of installation (until removal)

Versions

Version	Distribution
2014.10.31.023103	12.50%
2014.10.22.192647	12.50%
2014.09.19.203252	12.50%
2014.09.17.083239	12.50%
2014.09.02.182803	12.50%
2014.08.31.090456	12.50%
2014.08.20.190658	25.00%

Other programs by Yontoo Technology

• Yontoo 1.10.03
• lucky leap 3.0.0
• Yontoo Layers Runtime 1.10.01
• WebConnect 3.0.0
• lucky leap 1.0.0
• Mega Browse
• FindRight
• webget
• Jump Flip
• Deal Keeper
• NetCrawl
• outobox
• ClearThink
• BrowseFox 3.0.0
• SecretSauce
• RightSurf
• Surftastic
• BrowseSmart
• BrowseMark
• Jotzey
• Whilokii 1.0.0
• AdvanceElite
• Strong Signal
• SmarterPower
• qualitink 1.0.0
• outobox 2013.11.12.181539
• Greener Web
• Yontoo Layers Client 1.10.01
• WebSpades
• neurowise
• Solution Real
• ConstaSurf
• Cyti Web
• Yontoo Layers 1.10.01
• LemurLeap 3.0.0
• Framed Display
• BuzzSearch 2013.11.07.232809
• trolatunt
• Roll Around
• SerialTrunc
• AtuZi
• focusbase
• Assist Point
• Digital More
• Hold Page
• Satellite Comma
• sizlsearch
• albrechto
• HulaToo
• snipsmart

from Yontoo Technology, Inc.

Remove Appstein by Yontoo Technology

Appstein is an Internet toolbar/plugin (for Internet Explorer it runs as a BHO, in Chrome and Firefox it will run as an extension) that plugs into the user's default web browser and will modify a number of settings such as taking control of the browser's search and home pages, new tab functionality as well as DNS 'not found' redirection. Additionally this potentially unwanted program will change some security settings of the browser that might also lower the overall security of the user's PC. This is done in order to allow the program to run uninterrupted.

Should the user attempt to uninstall the Appstein software using the standard methods in Add/Remove Programs, only parts of this PUP will be uninstalled and some items such as the modified search and home pages may still point to an unwanted web page. Also to note as disclosed in the privacy policy, the program will track and report behaviors or the user while the plugin is installed including but not limited to the URLs and web pages the user visits as well as search terms and search results the user queries.

The most common release is 2014.08.20.190658, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. 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 primary executable is named updateAppstein.exe. A majority of users end up uninstalling this less than a week of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 4 files and is usually about 1.09 MB (1,146,664 bytes).

Displayed publisher: Appstein

URL: appstein.info/support

Help link: mailto:[email protected]

Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Appstein

Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Appstein\Appsteinuninstall.exe

Estimated size: 1.09 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 Appstein, 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 Appstein.
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.

OS VERSIONS Win 7 (SP1) 50% Win 10 50%

HOW IT RUNS Windows Service? Yes (Installs a service)

USER ACTIONS Uninstall it 82% Keep it 18%

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?

United States	90.91%
Saudi Arabia	4.55%
Malaysia	4.55%

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?

Yontoo, a subsidiary/alias of ad-hijacker Sambreel, is a publisher of ad-supported web browser extensions designed to inject and display advertisements within the browser.

Publisher URL: www.yontoo.com

---