Should I remove Expat Shield Toolbar?
What percent of users and experts removed it?
61% remove it39% keep it
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #24,040
United States Rank #23,745
Reach 0.0076%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 22.06 days
650.75 days >
Average installed length: 341.92 days
Versions
| Version | Distribution |
| 6.15.0.27 |
14.00% |
|
| 6.14.0.28 |
0.67% |
|
| 6.13.3.505 |
3.33% |
|
| 6.13.3.1 |
5.33% |
|
| 6.12.0.11 |
4.67% |
|
| 6.11.2.6 |
7.33% |
|
| 6.10.3.27 |
6.00% |
|
| 6.9.0.16 |
28.67% |
|
| 6.8.9.0 |
12.00% |
|
| 6.8.5.1 |
10.00% |
|
| 6.8.2.0 |
5.33% |
|
| 6.7.0.6 |
1.33% |
|
| 6.3.3.3 |
1.33% |
|
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Expat Shield Toolbar
What is Expat Shield Toolbar?
Expat Shield is a VPN program that allows users to access UK TV websites such as BBC iPlayer and ITV when outside of the UK. Expat Shield routes your IP address via a UK IP address as if you were still in the UK wherever you are in the world. Normally, the BBC will block any IP address that is outside teh UK from accessing its services both online and through the BBC iPlayer program.
About (from AnchorFree Inc)
Expat Shield allows you to Watch UK TV online outside of the UK. You can now watch BBC iplayer from anywhere in the world. Ensure that you are private & anonymous online. As you may already know, if you live outside of the UK, you cannot watch shows on BBC iplayer. Why? BBC blocks the access to iplayer by blocking the ... Read more
Overview
The most used version is 6.9.0.16, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. 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 software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The main program executable is tbExpa.dll. A vast majority of those who have this installed end up removing it just after a couple weeks. It also bundles additional software in the form of the Conduit Engine, which installs a potentially unwanted toolbar, and makes homepage and default search engine changes to a user's web browser. The software installer includes 26 files and is usually about 4.79 MB (5,027,827 bytes).
- Possible malware installed by this program
- Loads into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Many experts agree, if you don't use it you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in Expat Shield Toolbar.
| tbExpa.dll (1a8438854dd15e4389f5bdef502c369d) has been flagged by the following 7 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
4.0.3.15817 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.Y |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.0229 |
Adware.Conduit.299 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
7.11614 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B potentially unwanted |
| Panda Antivirus |
15.08.17.12 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
40170 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbExpa.dll (d0133250565180c9dc8ee0aecccbfd53) has been flagged by the following 12 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Antiy-AVL |
1.0.0.1 |
GrayWare[WebToolbar:not-a-virus]/Win32.Agent.azm |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.M |
| Cyren |
5.4.16.7 |
W32/Conduit.TTAU-0102 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
11248 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.N potentially unwanted |
| F-Prot |
4.7.1.166 |
W32/Conduit.A |
| G Data |
25 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| K7 AntiVirus |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| K7GW |
9.199.15118 |
Trojan ( 004b219d1 ) |
| Kaspersky |
15.0.1.10 |
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.azm |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
37998 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbExp0.dll (c89d9c80fd468c6b51c4aadcc8463c2d) has been flagged by the following 7 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| AVware |
1.5.0.21 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Baidu-International |
3.5.1.41473 |
PUA.Win32.Conduit.BX |
| ESET-NOD32 |
10643 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.X |
| Fortinet FortiGate |
5.0.999.0 |
Riskware/Toolbar_Conduit |
| G Data |
24 |
Win32.Application.Conduit.F |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
34366 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbExp0.dll (975993043e355206a1fba5a702044f0c) has been flagged by the following 6 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17676 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.~A |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9338 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Malwarebytes |
1.75.0.1 |
PUP.Optional.Conduit |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
Adware/Conduit |
| TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
TROJ_GEN.F47V1113 |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25818 |
Conduit (fs) |
| Expat_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe (a320df2b47cfcaf98d06eb59cd72084c) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware.C534 |
| Dr.Web |
7.0.12.3050 |
Adware.Conduit.300 |
| G Data |
25 |
Win32.Adware.Conduit.B |
| IKARUS anti.virus |
T3.1.6.1.0 |
PUA.ClientConnect |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| prxtbExp2.dll (5b13aa512d57acf528700f1083fc3e4d) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.4246 |
HW32.Laneul.oicu |
| Dr.Web |
|
Adware.Conduit.16 |
| TrendMicro-HouseCall |
9.700.0.1001 |
TROJ_GEN.F47V0926 |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25108 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbExp2.dll (14d8444746cf6f5eb038e49874d538f6) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9639 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.X |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
28072 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbExpa.dll (76b3946090c94bb38dbbca54ac8ff9f7) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9264 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25220 |
Conduit (fs) |
| uninstall.exe (b728fa6a309e5d18141947b95b730e95) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
26380 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbExp0.dll (ce49528c9b0b3b3018ee2f70e76b362a) has been flagged by the following 2 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9148 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.P |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
24150 |
Conduit (fs) |
View all 50 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: Expat Shield
URL: ExpatShield.OurToolbar.com
Help link: ExpatShield.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\expat_shield
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Expat_Shield\uninstall.exe toolbar
Estimated size: 4.79 MB
This is a Community Toolbar by Conduit, what does that mean?
Conduit is a toolbar monetization platform for software publishers. It provides a utility for developers to create branded generic web browser toolbars. Publishers can bundle these toolbars with their software programs or provide access to download them separately through ExpatShield.OurToolbar.com. Once installed, the toolbar modifies the browser's home page and search settings in order to redirect searches through the Conduit portal (which utilizes Bing or Yahoo! Search engines). Read more...Each publisher enters into a 'Publisher Agreement' with Conduit which defines the revenue structure, known as the 'incentive amount', to be paid each calendar month in which the user has an active toolbar installed. Typically payout is based on the geographic origin of the user and ranges from $2 for a US user per month to just a few cents for other countries. Is it considered dangerous? Well, it's not malware or even spyware, however it changes the browser’s search provider in order to display, but if you read the EULA that is mentioned and presumably agreed on when installing. Users should decide if you need the functionality the toolbar has to offer. But remember, if you uninstall it make sure you reset your web browser, see how.
Files installed by Expat Shield Toolbar
| Program module: | tbExpa.dll (Malware detected) |
| Name: | Conduit Toolbar |
| Signed by: | Conduit Ltd. |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Expat_Shield\tbExpa.dll |
| MD5: | 1a8438854dd15e4389f5bdef502c369d |
| Conduit Toolbar BHO for the various toolbars running on the Conduit Toolbar platform is the Browser Helper Object installed into Internet Explorer which has the ability to access and monitor all loaded and requested web pages and content. |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) Expat_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe (by Conduit) - ToolbarHelper Application
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
hk64tbExp0.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hk64tbExp2.dll
-
hktbExp0.dll
-
hktbExp2.dll
-
(Malware detected) ldrtbExp0.dll
-
ldrtbExp2.dll
-
(Malware detected) ldrtbExpa.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbExp0.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbExp2.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbExpa.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbExp0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbExp2.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbExpa.dll
Behaviors exhibited
4 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbExp0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} (MyMatch_v2b).
- prxtbExp2.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Vafmusic4 Toolbar' with the class of {ec966aaa-1510-4c02-8eb0-b42ad0c25e8b} (Vafmusic4).
- prxtbExpa.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'forarabnetwork Toolbar' with the class of {c9158ecf-5f0c-412e-856c-a9b6256aff11} (forarabnetwork).
- tbExpa.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Conduit Engine' with the class of {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D}.
4 Internet Explorer Bars
- prxtbExpa.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Vuze Remote Findbar' with a class of {644597E7-96EC-4DC8-BDE1-D150A08E8D92}.
- prxtbExp2.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Connect DLC 5 Findbar' with a class of {8FEB0551-B256-479B-92E1-C927F89DC71E}.
- tbExpa.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Avanquest App'-Anwendungsleiste Findbar' with a class of {C97793F6-325D-4A26-ACAB-D551FCBF6DE9}.
- prxtbExp0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'BitTorrentControl_v10 Findbar' with a class of {61B7EA61-DF56-4683-A474-BFDE2AD56316}.
4 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbExp0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa}.
- prxtbExpa.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Free Lunch Design TB Toolbar' with the class of {a5ae8924-4036-420f-b7f6-a47e4b8f692e}.
- prxtbExp2.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Vafmusic4 Toolbar' with the class of {ec966aaa-1510-4c02-8eb0-b42ad0c25e8b}.
- tbExpa.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'DVDVideoSoft Toolbar' with the class of {e9911ec6-1bcc-40b0-9993-e0eea7f6953f}.
4 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbExp0.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with a class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbExpa.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Max ES Atube Toolbar' with a class of {58ba374f-d9ea-4f27-bb8f-519b84820cc1} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbExp2.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Online Sharing Toolbar' with a class of {8567a644-e36c-470c-86cf-9c5b4f37db81} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- tbExpa.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'DVDVideoSoft Toolbar' with a class of {e9911ec6-1bcc-40b0-9993-e0eea7f6953f} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
4 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbExp0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with a class of {18272225-4C7F-4445-A7E3-8B260662E407}.
- prxtbExpa.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Free Lunch Design TB Toolbar' with a class of {A5AE8924-4036-420F-B7F6-A47E4B8F692E}.
- prxtbExp2.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Vafmusic4 Toolbar' with a class of {EC966AAA-1510-4C02-8EB0-B42AD0C25E8B}.
- tbExpa.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Conduit Engine' with a class of {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D}.
2 Scheduled Tasks
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{42CD7A24-AF4B-44A0-A119-1C6F9B6E2A90}' (runs on registration).
- Expat_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- Expat_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| Expat_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe |
| Total CPU: | 0.4892737327% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.29804920% | |
| User CPU: | 0.19122453% | |
How do I remove Expat Shield Toolbar?
You can uninstall Expat Shield 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 Expat Shield 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 Expat Shield 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 Expat Shield 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 XP 1%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 61%
Keep it 39%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
81.33% |
|
| Windows Vista |
13.33% |
|
| Windows 10 |
2.67% |
|
| Windows XP |
2.67% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
52.03% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
22.97% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
8.78% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
4.05% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
4.05% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
2.70% |
|
Geography
41.11% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
41.11% |
| SY |
9.44% |
| Ireland |
6.67% |
| United Kingdom |
5.00% |
| Spain |
5.00% |
| Germany |
3.89% |
| Italy |
3.33% |
| France |
3.33% |
| Australia |
2.22% |
| Finland |
1.67% |
| Greece |
1.67% |
| Canada |
1.67% |
| Saudi Arabia |
1.11% |
| DK |
1.11% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
31.73% |
|
| Dell |
21.15% |
|
| Acer |
17.31% |
|
| Toshiba |
8.65% |
|
| ASUS |
5.77% |
|
| Samsung |
5.77% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
4.81% |
|
| American Megatrends |
1.92% |
|
| Sony |
1.92% |
|
| Sahara |
0.96% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook ... |
4.39% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
3.51% |
|
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
2.63% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 1545 |
2.63% |
|
| HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook ... |
1.75% |
|
| Gateway NV57H |
1.75% |
|
About AnchorFree Inc
AnchorFree provides online privacy and security solutions for Web users, advertisers, and publishers.
Publisher URL: www.anchorfree.com