Should I remove Hotspot Shield Toolbar?
What percent of users and experts removed it?
67% remove it33% keep it
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #8,903
United States Rank #12,859
Reach 0.0430%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 28.43 days
838.76 days >
Average installed length: 440.71 days
Versions
| Version | Distribution |
| 6.15.0.27 |
11.20% |
|
| 6.14.0.30 |
0.35% |
|
| 6.14.0.28 |
3.54% |
|
| 6.13.50.9 |
2.12% |
|
| 6.13.3.701 |
2.71% |
|
| 6.13.3.505 |
6.01% |
|
| 6.13.3.1 |
5.78% |
|
| 6.12.0.11 |
6.13% |
|
| 6.11.2.6 |
9.67% |
|
| 6.10.3.27 |
13.44% |
|
| 6.10.2.5 |
14.62% |
|
| 6.9.0.16 |
11.20% |
|
| 6.8.9.0 |
5.90% |
|
| 6.8.8.8 |
1.30% |
|
| 6.8.5.1 |
3.66% |
|
| 6.8.2.0 |
1.65% |
|
| 6.7.0.6 |
0.47% |
|
| 6.3.3.3 |
0.24% |
|
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- #8,903 Hotspot Shield Toolbar by AnchorFree Inc
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Hotspot Shield Toolbar
What is Hotspot Shield Toolbar?
Installs a Conduit powered OurToolbar in Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox web browsers. The software collects and stores information about your web browsing and sends this information to OurToolbar so they can suggest services or provide ads via the toolbar. Hotspot Shield Toolbar will attempt to change your home page and search provider if you are not careful during installation and provides a search box and various other generic features in the toolbar.
About (from AnchorFree Inc)
This community toolbar was created using the Conduit platform. Get our freshest content delivered directly to your browser, no matter where you are on the Web. Search the Web and get a wide choice of useful search engines. Choose from thousands of free apps for your browser. Receive our most important news and announce... Read more
Overview
The most common release is 6.10.2.5, 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 primary executable is named Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe. Many users end up uninstalling this after less than a month of it being installed. 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 setup package generally installs about 22 files and is usually about 4.9 MB (5,133,781 bytes).
- Malware detected in the program
- Integrates into the web browser
- Built on and distributed using the Conduit toolbar
- Typically distributed through a pay-per-install bundle
- May modify the web browser's home page
- 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 Hotspot Shield Toolbar.
| Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe (da11d78d765e4b8fa4cfa5a37e8a94ff) has been flagged by the following 5 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Version | Detection |
| Baidu-International |
4.0.3.14620 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.45 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
7.10301 |
Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.Q |
| G Data |
14.8.24 |
Win32.Adware.Conduit |
| IKARUS anti.virus |
t3scan.1.7.5.0 |
PUA.ClientConnect |
| Panda Antivirus |
14.01.11.12 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| tbHot0.dll (1a8438854dd15e4389f5bdef502c369d) 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 |
Adware.Win32.Conduit.Y |
| Bkav FE |
1.3.0.6379 |
W32.HfsAdware.C534 |
| Dr.Web |
7.0.12.3050 |
Adware.Conduit.299 |
| ESET-NOD32 |
11614 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B potentially unwanted |
| Panda Antivirus |
4.6.4.2 |
PUP/Conduit.A |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
40170 |
Conduit (fs) |
| prxtbHot0.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) |
| tbHot2.dll (e1b87b513c14d3a417b1a027be739de1) has been flagged by the following 3 scanners: |
| Anti-Virus software | Software version | Detection |
| ESET-NOD32 |
9321 |
a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Conduit.B |
| Panda Antivirus |
10.0.3.5 |
Adware/Conduit |
| VIPRE Antivirus |
25676 |
Conduit (fs) |
| ldrtbHot0.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) |
View all 26 all detections
Hotspot Shield Toolbar 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: Hotspot Shield
URL: HotspotShield.OurToolbar.com
Help link: HotspotShield.OurToolbar.com/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\hotspot_shield
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Hotspot_Shield\uninstall.exe toolbar
Estimated size: 4.9 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 HotspotShield.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 Toolbar
| Program executable: | Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe (Malware detected) |
| Name: | ToolbarH Application |
| ToolbarH Application |
| Signed by: | Conduit Ltd. |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\hotspot_shield\Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe |
| MD5: | da11d78d765e4b8fa4cfa5a37e8a94ff |
| When loaded by IE, it will install a toolbar in the top of your Internet Explore web browser. By installing itself, the toolbar has full access to the a loaded web page's HTML content and knowledge of the URL the user is currently viewing;... |
Additional files:
-
(Malware detected) Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe (by Conduit) - ToolbarHelper Application
-
(Malware detected) uninstall.exe (by Conduit) - Conduit Toolbar Uninstall
-
hk64tbHot0.dll - Conduit Toolbar
-
hk64tbHot2.dll
-
hktbHot0.dll
-
hktbHot2.dll
-
ldrtbHot0.dll
-
ldrtbHot2.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbHot0.dll
-
(Malware detected) prxtbHot2.dll
-
(Malware detected) tbHot0.dll
-
tbHot2.dll
Behaviors exhibited
5 Internet Explorer BHOs
- prxtbHot0.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).
- prxtbHot2.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).
- prxtbHots.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Produtools Manuals Toolbar' with the class of {16bb67e0-6319-4077-be84-f41269e051f3} (Produtools Manuals).
- tbHot0.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Hotspot Shield Toolbar' with the class of {c95a4e8e-816d-4655-8c79-d736da1adb6d}.
- tbHots.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
- prxtbHots.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Vuze Remote Findbar' with a class of {644597E7-96EC-4DC8-BDE1-D150A08E8D92}.
- prxtbHot2.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'Connect DLC 5 Findbar' with a class of {8FEB0551-B256-479B-92E1-C927F89DC71E}.
- prxtbHot0.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'BitTorrentControl_v10 Findbar' with a class of {61B7EA61-DF56-4683-A474-BFDE2AD56316}.
- tbHots.dll installs an Explorer Bar in Internet Explorer called 'mako LIVE Findbar' with a class of {E4FBCEE4-B3B5-4FD1-933E-98130DB1E104}.
5 Internet Explorer Toolbars
- prxtbHot0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'MyMatch_v2b Toolbar' with the class of {b860e266-f38a-4e23-a639-0fda18b1beaa}.
- prxtbHots.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Free Lunch Design TB Toolbar' with the class of {a5ae8924-4036-420f-b7f6-a47e4b8f692e}.
- prxtbHot2.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Vafmusic4 Toolbar' with the class of {ec966aaa-1510-4c02-8eb0-b42ad0c25e8b}.
- tbHots.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'DVDVideoSoft Toolbar' with the class of {e9911ec6-1bcc-40b0-9993-e0eea7f6953f}.
- tbHot0.dll is loaded as Internet Explorer Toolbar with the name 'Hotspot Shield Toolbar' with the class of {c95a4e8e-816d-4655-8c79-d736da1adb6d} (Hotspot_Shield Toolbar).
5 Internet Explorer URL Search Hooks
- prxtbHot0.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.
- prxtbHots.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.
- prxtbHot2.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'ToggleSW Toolbar' with a class of {6dabbda0-1da5-4a2f-bc89-2ae084c572fa} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
- tbHots.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.
- tbHot0.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'Hotspot Shield Toolbar' with a class of {c95a4e8e-816d-4655-8c79-d736da1adb6d} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
5 Internet Explorer Web Browsers
- prxtbHot0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Produtools Maps B Toolbar' with a class of {18272225-4C7F-4445-A7E3-8B260662E407}.
- prxtbHots.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Free Lunch Design TB Toolbar' with a class of {A5AE8924-4036-420F-B7F6-A47E4B8F692E}.
- prxtbHot2.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Vafmusic4 Toolbar' with a class of {EC966AAA-1510-4C02-8EB0-B42AD0C25E8B}.
- tbHot0.dll installs an IE Web Browser in Internet Explorer named 'Hotspot Shield Toolbar' with a class of {C95A4E8E-816D-4655-8C79-D736DA1ADB6D}.
- tbHots.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).
- Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{B8E8E278-F25D-478A-BAB2-24A5EDB01F6C}' (runs on registration).
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\eTvOnline.ro\eTvOnline.roToolbarHelper.exe'.
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| Hotspot_ShieldToolbarHelper.exe |
| Total CPU: | 0.4892737327% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.29804920% | |
| User CPU: | 0.19122453% | |
How do I remove Hotspot Shield Toolbar?
You can uninstall Hotspot 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 Hotspot 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 Hotspot 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 Hotspot 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) 66%
Win 7 0%
|
|
HOW DOES IT RUN?
 |
Plugs into Internet Explorer
|
|
|
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 67%
Keep it 33%
|
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
78.30% |
|
| Windows 10 |
9.32% |
|
| Windows XP |
7.55% |
|
| Windows Vista |
4.83% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
31.99% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
29.62% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
8.65% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
7.58% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Basic |
4.15% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
3.08% |
|
Geography
25.57% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
25.57% |
| Saudi Arabia |
10.60% |
| Iran |
8.63% |
| Germany |
7.98% |
| United Arab Emirates |
5.57% |
| Turkey |
3.39% |
| Canada |
3.28% |
| United Kingdom |
2.40% |
| Pakistan |
2.19% |
| Indonesia |
1.97% |
| SY |
1.64% |
| YE |
1.31% |
| France |
1.31% |
| MA |
1.20% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Hewlett-Packard |
25.05% |
|
| Dell |
20.81% |
|
| Acer |
18.97% |
|
| Toshiba |
10.87% |
|
| ASUS |
8.29% |
|
| Samsung |
5.34% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
4.79% |
|
| Intel |
3.13% |
|
| Lenovo |
2.03% |
|
| American Megatrends |
0.74% |
|
Common models |
| HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook ... |
7.80% |
|
| HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... |
5.42% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5110 |
5.08% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite C660 |
4.41% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5010 |
3.39% |
|
| HP 2000 Notebook PC |
2.37% |
|
About AnchorFree Inc
AnchorFree provides online privacy and security solutions for Web users, advertisers, and publishers.
Publisher URL: www.anchorfree.com