BrandThunderHelper
What is BrandThunderHelper?
This is a potentially unwanted web browser extension that is designed to deliver search-based hijacking/injection as well as contextual advertising. The program does this by modifying the user's home and search page in order to monetize a user's search activities.
The helper applications runs as a Windows Service and is installed in conjunction with the Internet Explorer version of the toolbar. It uses a remote configuration file to download and stay updated from http://assets-ds.brandthunder.com/ie_toolbar/downloads/.
About (from Brand Thunder)
WebSearch+ is built into the browser theme to raise money for theme development, in a way that benefits you through savings and benefits charity when purchases are made. These free browser themes have a team of designers and developers behind each one, and the brands featured get compensated for the use of their brands... Read more
Overview
The most common release is 1.0.3, 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 BTHelper.exe. A majority of users end up uninstalling this less than a week of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 2 files.
- Installs a Windows Service
- Typically distributed through a pay-per-install bundle
- The wisdom of the experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
BrandThunderHelper has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software. If you have not purposefully installed this, you should be safe uninstalling it.
Program details
Displayed publisher: BrandThunder
URL: brandthunder.com/websearch
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\brand thunder\helper
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Brand Thunder\Helper\uninstall.exe
Files installed by BrandThunderHelper
| Program executable: | BTHelper.exe |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\brand thunder\helper\bin\BTHelper.exe |
| MD5: | c6cb06f73b71960f445231277c7c3b5f |
Behaviors exhibited
Service
- BTHelper.exe runs as a service named 'BTHelper.exe' (BTHelper.exe).
How do I remove BrandThunderHelper?
You can uninstall BrandThunderHelper 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 BrandThunderHelper, 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 BrandThunderHelper.
- 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) 54%
Win XP 1%
|
|
HOW IT RUNS
Windows Service? Yes
(Installs a service)
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 73%
Keep it 27%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
53.62% |
|
| Windows 10 |
42.03% |
|
| Windows Vista |
2.90% |
|
| Windows XP |
1.45% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
44.93% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
20.29% |
|
| Windows 8 |
15.94% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
5.80% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
4.35% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
2.90% |
|
Geography
96.30% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
96.30% |
| Netherlands |
0.93% |
| Germany |
0.93% |
| Canada |
0.93% |
| China |
0.93% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
42.42% |
|
| Acer |
15.15% |
|
| Dell |
12.12% |
|
| ASUS |
7.58% |
|
| Lenovo |
6.06% |
|
| Samsung |
6.06% |
|
| Toshiba |
6.06% |
|
| Apple |
1.52% |
|
| MSI |
1.52% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
1.52% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
5.97% |
|
| HP 2000 Notebook PC |
2.99% |
|
| HP Pavilion g7 Notebook P... |
2.99% |
|
| LENOVO 20138 |
2.99% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard p7-1037c |
2.99% |
|
| Gateway NE56R |
2.99% |
|
Publisher URL: brandthunder.com