HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE
What is HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE?
HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE is a Conduit distributed toolbar built on the community toolbar platform which provides browser integration. This browser extension's primary purpose is to take control of the user's search functionality in order to generate a revenue share for the publisher and Conduit. In addition to search hijacking (although there should be options during bundle installation to prevent this), the toolbar will install itself in Internet Explorer as a toolbar and Browser Helper Object. Also, many installs contain 'Value Apps', which provide additional functionality as well as include various ad-supported extensions such as Cash Back and Price Gong. As for distribution, the toolbar is typically bundled with 3rd party publishers in order to try to maximize install revenue as typically payouts per installation is between a few cents and a couple dollars depending on the geographical location of the host. The platform in many cases installs a service 'engine' that is designed to protect the toolbar as well as the modified search and home pages to Conduit's affiliate search partner.
From the Privacy Policy: "Browsing Data about your web browsing is collected and analyzed by the Value Apps platform in real time, and it may include the web page that you are currently visiting and the content therein. This information may be used by us to trigger the relevant Apps you enabled, and we may share such information with our Partners so our Partners or us, as applicable according to the App provider, can suggest services or provide you with offers that may be relevant to you."
About (from Conduit)
The Conduit Software may also collect and store information about your web browsing locally on your device, like the web pages that you have visited and the content you have accessed. This locally saved information may interact with the Conduit Software and send us information about your web browsing so we can suggest ... Read more
Overview
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- This toolbar is distributed via Conduit (potentially unwanted)
- Hijacks the web browser's home page
- The experts agree, you should remove it!
Warning, multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE.
| HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe (943f313974a830d4634c73beb8103f5e) has been flagged by the following 4 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Comodo Security |
17313 |
Application.Win32.Conduit.~f |
| Dr.Web |
9.0.0.0166 |
Adware.Toolbar.202 |
| Malwarebytes |
v2013.11.22.02 |
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
23610 |
Conduit (fs) |
| tbHotS.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) |
| prxtbHotS.dll (02d550437bd96f4b2add86fd4073e60e) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| Agnitum Outpost |
5.5.1.3 |
PUA.Toolbar.Conduit! |
| Dr.Web |
7.00.9.04080 |
Adware.Conduit.16 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9726 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.X |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
28606 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbHot0.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) |
| 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) |
View all 21 all detections
Program details
Displayed publisher: HotSpot Shield Elite
URL: HotSpotShieldElite.OurToolbar.com
Help link: HotSpotShieldElite.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\ProgramData\conduit\ie\ct2707060
Uninstaller: C:\ProgramData\Conduit\IE\CT2707060\UninstallerUI.exe -ctid=CT2707060 -toolbarName=HotSpot Shield Elite -toolbarEnv=conduit -type=IE
Estimated size: 623.07 KB
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 HotSpotShieldElite.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 HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE
| Program executable: | HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe (Malware detected) |
| Name: | ToolbarHelper Application |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\HotSpot_Shield_Elite\HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe |
| MD5: | 943f313974a830d4634c73beb8103f5e |
Additional files:
-
UninstallerUI.exe - 1.4.0.1
-
hk64tbHotS.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hktbHotS.dll
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(Malware detected) HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe - ToolbarHelper Application
-
ldrtbHotS.dll
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(Malware detected) prxtbHotS.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbHotS.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbHot0.dll
-
configutaion.json
-
hk64tbHot0.dll
-
hktbHot0.dll
-
ldrtbHot0.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbHot0.dll
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
Behaviors exhibited
2 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbHotS.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with the class of {18272225-4c7f-4445-a7e3-8b260662e407} (Produtools Maps B).
- prxtbHot0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Online Sharing Toolbar' with the class of {8567a644-e36c-470c-86cf-9c5b4f37db81} (Online Sharing).
Internet Explorer Bar
- prxtbHotS.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Connect DLC 5 Findbar' with a class of {8FEB0551-B256-479B-92E1-C927F89DC71E}.
2 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbHotS.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with the class of {18272225-4c7f-4445-a7e3-8b260662e407}.
- prxtbHot0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Online Sharing Toolbar' with the class of {8567a644-e36c-470c-86cf-9c5b4f37db81}.
2 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbHotS.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with a class of {18272225-4c7f-4445-a7e3-8b260662e407} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- prxtbHot0.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.
2 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbHotS.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with a class of {18272225-4C7F-4445-A7E3-8B260662E407}.
- prxtbHot0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Online Sharing Toolbar' with a class of {8567A644-E36C-470C-86CF-9C5B4F37DB81}.
Scheduled Task
- uninstall.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{C247631C-606C-44F8-9B4E-C25B77177427}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- HotSpot_Shield_EliteToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
How do I remove HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE?
You can uninstall HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE 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 HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE, 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 HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE.
- 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 HotSpot Shield Elite Toolbar for IE 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) 58%
Win XP 3%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 77%
Keep it 23%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
71.21% |
|
| Windows 10 |
25.76% |
|
| Windows XP |
3.03% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
30.30% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
27.27% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
10.61% |
|
| Windows 8.1 |
10.61% |
|
| Windows 8 Pro |
7.58% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Pro with Medi... |
3.03% |
|
Geography
48.10% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
48.10% |
| Saudi Arabia |
15.19% |
| Germany |
5.06% |
| Iran |
3.80% |
| YE |
3.80% |
| Canada |
2.53% |
| Thailand |
2.53% |
| United Kingdom |
2.53% |
| Austria |
1.27% |
| Belgium |
1.27% |
| DZ |
1.27% |
| SY |
1.27% |
| United Arab Emirates |
1.27% |
| Australia |
1.27% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Dell |
22.81% |
|
| Toshiba |
19.30% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
15.79% |
|
| Acer |
15.79% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
10.53% |
|
| Lenovo |
5.26% |
|
| ASUS |
3.51% |
|
| Samsung |
1.75% |
|
| Alienware |
1.75% |
|
| MSI |
1.75% |
|
| Apple |
1.75% |
|
Common models |
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
6.67% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N4050 |
3.33% |
|
| Gigabyte X58-USB3 |
3.33% |
|
| Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H |
1.67% |
|
| Gigabyte 945GCM-S2C |
1.67% |
|
| Dell OptiPlex GX520 ... |
1.67% |
|
About Conduit
Conduit is an online platform that allows web publishers to create custom toolbars, web apps, and mobile apps at no cost.
Publisher URL: www.conduit.com