84,488,480 programs installed

Should I remove CS Browser Assistant?

What percent of users and experts removed it?
81% remove it19% keep it
Overall Sentiment
Bad
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #30,093
Reach 0.0048%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 12.95 days
382.13 days >
Average installed length: 200.78 days

Versions

VersionDistribution
1.29.153.0 100.00%

CS Browser Assistant 2.0

What is CS Browser Assistant?

Browser Assistant is an adware application that runs in the web browser as a toolbar and web extension. The web extension is primarily designed to take control of the user's browser in order to modify the search provider and redirect web searches to the search engine partner the publisher has a revenue relationship with. In doing so, the toolbar performs a number of behaviors in order to maximize the potential of a user to click on sponsored advertising through search. It is typically installed via a bundled offer within a 3rd-party distribution.

Functionality of the toolbar includes but is not limited to:
- Changing the web browser's default home page to the affiliate search portal.
- Changing the browser's search provider, built-in search box as well as the address bar.
- Ability to modify the 'new tab' functionality to launch the modified search portal page.
- Adds an alternative error page, DNS error and 'page not' found functionality.
- Adds additional functionality that is designed to protect the search and home page settings.
- May 'inject' advertising in the form of context ads, links and pop-ups.

Overview

During setup, the program registers itself to launch on boot through a Windows Schedule Task in order to automatically start-up (this is typically done to avoid any UAC prompts). It adds a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to Internet Explorer. The primary executable is named utils.exe. A majority of users end up uninstalling this less than a week of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 15 files and is usually about 6.96 MB (7,302,570 bytes). The installed file CS Browser Assistant 2.0-updater.exe is the auto-update component of the program which is designed to check for software updates and notify and apply them when new versions are discovered.

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.
  • Malware detected in the program
  • Automatically starts with Windows
  • Integrates into the web browser
  • Uses the Crossrider toolbar framework
  • During install it may hijack/modify the browser's homepage and search provider
  • Runs disconnected from the browser as a background process
  • Known to reinstall itself
  • Hijacks the web browser's home page
  • Hijacks the browser's default search provider
  • The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in CS Browser Assistant.
utils.exe (a87423a1106c857de3ee86a58c268bfa) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareVersionDetection
Dr.Web 9.0.0.026 Trojan.Crossrider.9
ESET-NOD32 8.9104 Win32/Packed.VMDetector.B
Kingsoft AntiVirus 331020.49267 Win32.Troj.Generic.a.(kcloud)
Symantec 1/26/2014 rev. 1 WS.Reputation
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-chromeinstaller.exe (32a51aec1f647dcad1c93d1df1632d07) has been flagged by the following 31 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 12.0.163.0 Adware.Generic.1020336
avast! 8.0.1489.320 Win32:Crossrider-AI [PUP]
AVG 15.0.0.4189 Generic5.AIIQ
Avira 7.11.183.186 Adware/CrossRider.A.6479
AVware 1.5.0.21 Crossrider (fs)
Baidu-International 3.5.1.41473 PUA.Win32.CrossRider.bK
Bitdefender 7.2 Adware.Generic.1020336
Dr.Web 7.0.10.8210 Trojan.Crossrider.27966
Emsisoft Anti-Malware 3.0.0.600 Adware.Generic.1020336 (B)
ESET-NOD32 10690 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.K
Fortinet FortiGate 5.0.999.0 Adware/Lyckriks
F-Prot 4.7.1.166 W32/A-eb9ef301!Eldorado
F-Secure 11.0.19100.45 Adware.Generic.1020336
G Data 24 Adware.Generic.1020336
Jiangmin 16.0.100 AdWare/Lyckriks.dm
K7 AntiVirus 9.185.13943 Trojan ( 004a85b61 )
K7GW 9.185.13943 Trojan ( 004a85b61 )
Kaspersky 12.0.0.1225 not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Lyckriks.ly
Kingsoft AntiVirus 2013.4.9.267 Win32.Troj.Generic.a.(kcloud)
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
McAfee 6.0.5.614 Artemis!32A51AEC1F64
McAfee-GW-Edition v2014.2 BehavesLike.Win32.BadFile.gh
MicroWorld-eScan 12.0.250.0 Adware.Generic.1020336
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.6.62995 Riskware.Win32.Lyckriks.cusnji
Qihoo-360 1.0.0.1015 Trojan.Generic
Sophos 4.98.0 AppRider
Symantec 20141.1.0.330 Adware.FindLyrics
Tencent 1.0.0.1 Win32.Trojan.Falsesign.Ljkf
Trend Micro 9.740.0.1012 TROJ_GEN.R047C0EJR14
TrendMicro-HouseCall 9.700.0.1001 TROJ_GEN.R047C0EJR14
VIPRE Antivirus 34618 Crossrider (fs)
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-firefoxinstaller.exe (0c981ac6c4c15518aaed2715f2962a0a) has been flagged by the following 28 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 12.0.163.0 Adware.Generic.1027420
Antiy-AVL 1.0.0.1 Trojan/Win32.Tgenic
avast! 8.0.1489.320 Win32:Crossrider-AI [PUP]
AVG 15.0.0.4189 Generic5.AQJX
Avira 7.11.186.196 ADWARE/CrossRider.Gen2
AVware 1.5.0.21 Crossrider (fs)
Baidu-International 3.5.1.41473 PUA.Win32.CrossRider.BJ
Bitdefender 7.2 Adware.Generic.1027420
Dr.Web 7.0.10.8210 Trojan.Crossrider.27966
Emsisoft Anti-Malware 3.0.0.600 Adware.Generic.1027420 (B)
ESET-NOD32 10737 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.J
F-Prot 4.7.1.166 W32/A-eb9ef301!Eldorado
F-Secure 11.0.19100.45 Adware.Generic.1027420
G Data 24 Adware.Generic.1027420
K7 AntiVirus 9.185.14042 Trojan ( 004a0a7b1 )
K7GW 9.185.14042 Trojan ( 004a0a7b1 )
Kingsoft AntiVirus 2013.4.9.267 Win32.Troj.Generic.a.(kcloud)
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
McAfee 6.0.5.614 Artemis!0C981AC6C4C1
McAfee-GW-Edition v2014.2 BehavesLike.Win32.PUP.bh
MicroWorld-eScan 12.0.250.0 Adware.Generic.1027420
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.6.63474 Trojan.Win32.Crossrider.ddxixk
Sophos 4.98.0 Generic PUA HA
Symantec 20141.1.0.330 Adware.FindLyrics
Trend Micro 9.740.0.1012 TROJ_GEN.R047C0OK114
TrendMicro-HouseCall 9.700.0.1001 TROJ_GEN.R047C0OK114
VIPRE Antivirus 34874 Crossrider (fs)
Zillya 2.0.0.1984 Adware.Lyckriks.Win32.676
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-enabler.exe (399b82872235fac19b0127af37c97b02) has been flagged by the following 19 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
avast! 8.0.1489.320 Win32:Crossrider-H [PUP]
AVG 15.0.0.4189 Generic5.AJKA
Avira 7.11.184.224 Adware/CrossRider.A.970
AVware 1.5.0.21 Crossrider (fs)
Baidu-International 3.5.1.41473 PUA.Win32.CrossRider.BJ
Dr.Web 7.0.10.8210 Trojan.Crossrider.27
ESET-NOD32 10712 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.J
F-Prot 4.7.1.166 W32/A-eb9ef301!Eldorado
G Data 24 Win32.Adware.Crossrider.L
Jiangmin 16.0.100 AdWare/Lyckriks.ie
K7 AntiVirus 9.185.13993 Unwanted-Program ( 004ae5c31 )
K7GW 9.185.13994 Unwanted-Program ( 004ae5c31 )
Kingsoft AntiVirus 2013.4.9.267 Win32.Troj.Generic.a.(kcloud)
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.6.62995 Trojan.Win32.Crossrider.ctitwc
Symantec 20141.1.0.330 Adware.Crossid
TrendMicro-HouseCall 9.700.0.1001 TROJ_GEN.R0C1H05JG14
VIPRE Antivirus 34732 Crossrider (fs)
Zillya 2.0.0.1981 Adware.Lyckriks.Win32.675
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-updater.exe (3a1edd7aae6f99af5517a9f1fa37df0f) has been flagged by the following 11 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
Agnitum Outpost 5.5.1.3 PUA.Toolbar.CrossRider!
avast! 8.0.1489.320 Win32:PUP-gen [PUP]
Avira 7.11.182.198 Adware/CrossRider.A.943
AVware 1.5.0.21 Crossrider (fs)
Dr.Web 7.0.10.8210 Adware.Plugin.73
ESET-NOD32 10659 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.K
F-Prot 4.7.1.166 W32/A-eb9ef301!Eldorado
G Data 24 Win32.Adware.Crossrider.L
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.6.62995 Riskware.Win32.Plugin.dcrwty
VIPRE Antivirus 34470 Crossrider (fs)
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-codedownloader.exe (50ae42bef41635919878520a9c0a7e9e) has been flagged by the following 10 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
avast! 8.0.1489.320 Win32:Crossrider-AH [PUP]
Avira 7.11.178.86 ADWARE/CrossRider.Gen2
AVware 1.5.0.21 Crossrider (fs)
ESET-NOD32 10564 a variant of Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.K
F-Prot 4.7.1.166 W32/A-eb9ef301!Eldorado
G Data 24 Win32.Adware.Crossrider.L
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
NANO AntiVirus 0.28.2.62671 Riskware.Win32.CrossRider.dfwqis
VIPRE Antivirus 33926 Crossrider (fs)
Zillya 2.0.0.1955 Backdoor.PePatch.Win32.39419
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho.dll (68129620285fa42307989e18341268f2) has been flagged by the following 10 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
AVG 13.0.0.3169 Generic5.AILH
Dr.Web Adware.Plugin.152
ESET-NOD32 9257 Win32/Toolbar.CrossRider.O
K7 AntiVirus 9.175.10750 Unwanted-Program ( 00454f261 )
K7GW 9.175.10750 Unwanted-Program ( 00454f261 )
Kaspersky 12.0.0.1221 not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Lyckriks.lw
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
TrendMicro-HouseCall 9.700.0.1001 TROJ_GEN.F47V1028
Vba32 AntiVirus 3.12.24.3 AdWare.Lyckriks
VIPRE Antivirus 25164 Crossrider (fs)
CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho64.dll (9ae39a8a81914a451734c3853823dc5a) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners:
Anti-Virus softwareSoftware versionDetection
ESET-NOD32 8999 a variant of Win64/Toolbar.Crossrider.A
Malwarebytes 1.75.0.1 PUP.Optional.CouponScout.A
VIPRE Antivirus 22994 Crossrider (fs)
       View all 116 all detections

Program detailsProgram details

Installation folder: C:\Program Files\CS Browser Assistant 2.0
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\CS Browser Assistant 2.0\Uninstall.exe /fromcontrolpanel=1
Estimated size: 6.96 MB

Program filesFiles installed by CS Browser Assistant 2.0

Program executable:utils.exe (Malware detected)
Path:C:\Program Files\CS Browser Assistant 2.0\utils.exe
MD5:a87423a1106c857de3ee86a58c268bfa
Additional files:
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bg.exe - CS Browser Assistant 2.0 (CS Browser Assistant 2.0 exe)
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho.dll - CS Browser Assistant 2.0 BHO
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho64.dll
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-buttonutil.exe
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-buttonutil64.exe
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-chromeinstaller.exe
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-codedownloader.exe
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-enabler.exe
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-firefoxinstaller.exe
  • (Malware detected) CS Browser Assistant 2.0-updater.exe
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-buttonutil.dll
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-buttonutil64.dll
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-helper.exe
  • Uninstall.exe

Program behaviorsBehaviors exhibited

2 Internet Explorer BHOs
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho64.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'CS Browser Assistant 2.0' with the class of {11111111-1111-1111-1111-110411421186} (CrossriderApp0044286).
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-bho.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'CS Browser Assistant 2.0' with the class of {11111111-1111-1111-1111-110411421186} (CrossriderApp0044286).
5 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-updater.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named CS Browser Assistant 2.0-updater.
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-firefoxinstaller.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named CS Browser Assistant 2.0-firefoxinstaller.
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-enabler.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named CS Browser Assistant 2.0-enabler.
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-chromeinstaller.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named CS Browser Assistant 2.0-chromeinstaller.
  • CS Browser Assistant 2.0-codedownloader.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named CS Browser Assistant 2.0-codedownloader.

How do I remove CS Browser Assistant?

You can uninstall CS Browser Assistant 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 CS Browser Assistant 2.0, 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 CS Browser Assistant.
  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 CS Browser Assistant 2.0 you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome

OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 52%
Win Vista (SP2) 2%
 
HOW IT STARTS
Scheduled task? Yes
(Runs on Windows boot)
 
USER ACTIONS
Uninstall it 81%
Keep it 19%

Windows OS versionsWindows

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 63.83%
Windows 10 20.21%
Windows XP 13.83%
Windows Vista 2.13%
Which OS releases does it run on?
Windows 7 Home Premium 24.47%
Windows 7 Ultimate 19.15%
Microsoft Windows XP 13.83%
Windows 7 Professional 10.64%
Windows 8.1 7.45%
Windows 7 Home Basic 6.38%

Distribution by countryGeography

36.89% of installs come from Brazil
Which countries install it?
  Brazil 36.89%
  United States 24.27%
  Germany 16.50%
  United Kingdom 4.85%
  Saudi Arabia 3.88%
  Russia 2.91%
  Spain 1.94%
  Belgium 0.97%
  Switzerland 0.97%
  Czech Republic 0.97%
  France 0.97%
  Lithuania 0.97%
  MA 0.97%
  Netherlands 0.97%

OEM distributionPC manufacturers

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Hewlett-Packard 27.59%
Acer 24.14%
Dell 15.52%
Samsung 10.34%
Lenovo 6.90%
ASUS 5.17%
Intel 5.17%
GIGABYTE 3.45%
American Megatrends 1.72%
Common models
Positivo Positivo M... 2.70%
VS Company VS-MCP61M 1.35%
TOSHIBA Satellite L870-D5... 1.35%
Sony VPCEA21FX 1.35%
Sony SVF15219SAW 1.35%
Semp Toshiba IS 1412 1.35%

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