Should I remove Shop Helper?

Lifespan of installation (until removal)

Versions

Version	Distribution
1.27.153.8	100.00%

from Brightcircle Investments

Remove Shop Helper by Brightcircle Investments

This is a web browser extension and Browser helper Object (for Internet Explorer) that delivers contextual based advertising to the web browser. In addition it will modify the user's browser home and search pages as well as 'New Tab' pages to push advertising and search. The software is typically defined as a unwanted application by various malware vendors.

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 main program executable is utils.exe. A vast majority of those who have this installed end up removing it just after a couple weeks. The software installer includes 14 files and is usually about 5.83 MB (6,116,553 bytes). Shop Helper-updater.exe is the automatic update component of the software designed to download and apply new updates should new versions be released.

The program is built using the Crossrider framework, a cross browser monetization platform used to deploy a toolbar and extension for modern web browsers with monetization features including browser search and homepage redirection, contextual coupons and in-line text advertising. Crossrider extensions include background processes to monitor, update and automatically download new features/code without direct user interaction.

Installation folder: C:\Program Files\shop helper

Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Shop Helper\Uninstall.exe /fromcontrolpanel=1

Estimated size: 5.83 MB

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 Shop Helper, 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 Shop Helper.
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.

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
2. 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.
3. The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
2. To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
3. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.

1. Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Restart Google Chrome.

OS VERSIONS Win 7 (SP1) 63% Win Vista (SP2) 13%

HOW IT STARTS Scheduled task? Yes (Runs on Windows boot)

USER ACTIONS Uninstall it 62% Keep it 38%

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?

United States	95.83%
United Kingdom	4.17%

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?

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