Astrology Internet Explorer Toolbar
What is Astrology Internet Explorer Toolbar?
This Mindspark toolbar for IE may modify the web browser's homepage and search provider to ask.com as well as change a number of the security settings of the browser. These changes will allow it to perform additional ad-supported functions in the browser. Typically it comes bundled with free applications from the Internet through a bundles offer for free software.
Overview
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. 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 primary executable is named 4aBar.dll. Many users end up uninstalling this after less than a month of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 55 files and is usually about 11.83 MB (12,409,095 bytes).
- 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 Astrology Internet Explorer Toolbar.
4aBar.dll (96a060cf33a2c42617cf13224a47db07) has been flagged by the following 8 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
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) |
4aSrcAs.dll (779662595f6b51bb86f96eccc230f13c) has been flagged by the following 18 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
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 |
4abarsvc.exe (b3dae11b5316528e6853a94d39e141e3) has been flagged by the following 18 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
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 |
4aSrchMn.exe (3c93215de9cc97c60b1892ad8dbe4411) has been flagged by the following 16 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
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 |
APPINTEGRATOR.EXE (b6940fe9d6fc34ef59f1028ae6018fe1) has been flagged by the following 16 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
AhnLab-V3 |
2014.10.30.00 |
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.am |
ESET-NOD32 |
10639 |
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.Pgcq |
TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
Suspicious_GEN.F47V0812 |
VIPRE Antivirus |
34342 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
4amedint.exe (df5ce0e2d96d747ed9fd82d6128cd393) has been flagged by the following 14 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
Agnitum Outpost |
5.5.1.3 |
PUA.Toolbar.MyWebSearch! |
AhnLab-V3 |
2014.11.07.02 |
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.ALb |
ESET-NOD32 |
10683 |
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 |
Tencent |
1.0.0.1 |
Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Wtxk |
VIPRE Antivirus |
34578 |
MyWebSearch.J (v) (not malicious) |
AppIntegrator64.exe (143d634f4f93155d3a4d430c2cf60d11) has been flagged by the following 12 scanners: |
Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
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 102 all detections
Program details
URL: support.mindspark.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Astrology_4a\bar\1.bin
Uninstaller: rundll32 "C:\Program Files\Astrology_4a\bar\1.bin\4aBar.dll",O mindsparktoolbarkey="Astrology_4a" uninstalltype=IE
Estimated size: 11.83 MB
Files installed by Astrology Internet Explorer Toolbar
Program module: | 4aBar.dll (Malware detected) |
Name: | Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer and Firefox |
| Mindspark Toolbar Platform |
Path: | C:\Program Files\Astrology_4a\bar\1.bin\4aBar.dll |
MD5: | 96a060cf33a2c42617cf13224a47db07 |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) 4abar.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer and Firefox (Mindspark Toolbar Platform)
-
4aregfft.dll
-
4aregiet.dll
-
4ahkstub.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform IE Search Box Protector Stub
-
4areghk.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform IE Search Box Protector
-
(Malware detected) 4abarsvc.exe - Mindspark Toolbar Platform for Internet Explorer
-
4abprtct.dll
-
4adatact.dll
-
4adlghk.dll
-
4adlghk64.dll
-
4afeedmg.dll
-
4ahighin.exe
-
4ahtmlmu.dll
-
4ahttpct.dll
-
4aidle.dll
-
(Malware detected) 4amedint.exe
-
4amlbtn.dll
-
4aPlugin.dll
-
4ascript.dll
-
4askin.dll
-
4askplay.exe
-
(Malware detected) 4aSrcAs.dll - Mindspark Search Assistant for Internet Explorer (Mindspark Search Assistant)
-
(Malware detected) 4aSrchMn.exe
-
4asrchmr.dll
-
(Malware detected) APPINTEGRATOR.EXE
-
(Malware detected) AppIntegrator64.exe
-
APPINTEGRATORSTUB.DLL
-
AppIntegratorStub64.dll
-
ASSISTMONITOR.DLL
-
ASSISTMONITOR64.DLL
-
CREXT.DLL
-
CrExtP4a.exe
-
DPNMNGR.DLL
-
HKFXMGR.DLL
-
HKFXMGR64.DLL
-
HPG.DLL
-
Hpg64.dll
-
T8EPMSUP.DLL
-
T8EXTEX.DLL
-
T8EXTPEX.DLL
-
T8HTML.DLL
-
NP4aStub.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform Plugin Stub (Mindspark Toolbar Platform Plugin Stub for 32-bit Windows)
-
4aauxstb.dll - Mindspark Toolbar Platform
-
4aauxstb64.dll
-
4aieovr.dll
-
4aradio.dll - Mindspark Radio
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- 4abar.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Toolbar BHO' with the class of {d36bfff8-a3ae-4032-a179-f29083c68ba7}.
- 4aSrcAs.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'SoccerInferno' with the class of {73b8e1fd-331f-4c17-8613-8a3034d3b0ca}.
Internet Explorer Toolbar
- 4abar.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Daily Fitness Center' with the class of {a6547405-a964-4600-8326-e91c95218964}.
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- 4aSrcAs.dll is loaded in Internet Explorer as a URL search hook using the CLSID {792d1703-9131-4929-9b08-57eca435f68b} and is used by IE to redirect the address of an unknown typed URLs.
Internet Explorer Web Browser
- 4abar.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'PuzzleGamesDaily' with a class of {C3E49807-F612-45DB-AEF6-B0F5B68FAE27}.
2 Mozilla Plugins
- NP4aStub.dll is loaded into Mozilla Firefox under the product name '@Astrology_4a.com/Plugin' with a plugin key of '@Astrology_4a.com/Plugin' for all users of the PC.
- 4abar.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).
3 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
- AppIntegrator64.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 7.
- 4aSrchMn.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 3.
- 4amedint.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 2.
Service
- 4abarsvc.exe runs as a service named 'GardeningEnthusiastService' (GardeningEnthusiast_7jService).
2 Startup Files (User Run)
- 4amedint.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'MapsGalaxy EPM Support' and executes as "C:\Program Files2\MAPSGA~2\bar\1.bin\39medint.exe" T8EPMSUP.DLL,S.
- 4aSrchMn.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.
- 4abar.dll is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'VideoDownloadConverter' which loads as rundll32 C:\Program Files1\VIDEOD~2\bar\1.bin\4zbar.dll,S.
- 4amedint.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'SafePCRepair Home Page Guard 32 bit' which loads as "C:\Program Files1\SAFEPC~1\bar\1.bin\AppIntegrator.exe".
- 4aSrchMn.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.
- 4abarsvc.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'Motitags AppIntegrator 64-bit' which loads as C:\Program Files2\MOTITA~2\bar\1.bin\AppIntegrator64.exe.
- APPINTEGRATOR.EXE is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'GardeningEnthusiast AppIntegrator 32-bit' which loads as C:\Program Files2\GARDEN~2\bar\1.bin\AppIntegrator.exe.
Startup File (All Users Run Once)
- 4aSrchMn.exe is loaded once in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'YTBChrInst' which loads as C:\users\user\appdata\Local\Temp\1391325400\ChromeHelperProc.exe.
How do I remove Astrology Internet Explorer Toolbar?
You can uninstall Astrology 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 Astrology 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 Astrology 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 Astrology 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.
OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 75%
Win 10 13%
|
|
HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
|
|
USER ACTIONS
|
Uninstall it 62%
Keep it 38%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 |
75.00% |
|
Windows Vista |
12.50% |
|
Windows 10 |
12.50% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
Windows 7 Home Premium |
50.00% |
|
Windows 7 Professional |
12.50% |
|
Windows 7 Ultimate |
12.50% |
|
Windows 8.1 |
12.50% |
|
Windows Vista Home Basic |
12.50% |
|
Geography
76.47% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
United States |
76.47% |
India |
17.65% |
Croatia |
5.88% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Hewlett-Packard |
62.50% |
|
Toshiba |
12.50% |
|
Dell |
12.50% |
|
Acer |
12.50% |
|
Common models |
TOSHIBA Satellite L355 |
12.50% |
|
HP ProBook 4430s |
12.50% |
|
HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
12.50% |
|
HP Pavilion dm1 Notebook ... |
12.50% |
|
HP 635 Notebook PC |
12.50% |
|
HP 2000 Notebook PC |
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