Should I remove hosts2?

Lifespan of installation (until removal)

Versions

Version	Distribution
1.27.153.8	100.00%

Rankings

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• #19,852 Browser Tab Search by Ask for Internet Explorer by IAC Search and Media
• #19,853 hosts2 by DownLite
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from DownLite

Remove hosts2 by DownLite

hosts2 is a web browser extension that changes the browsers search and home pages as well as delivers. In order to provide search advertising revenue, the software is designed not only to modify the search provider but to protect it so that it remains the default browser search engine. It is typically installed via a bundled offer within a third-party software distribution.

What the toolbar does:
- Change of the default search engine, including the Browser's built-in search box, and address bar.
- Change of the default Home Page and/or New Tabs, and protect your search settings.
- Addition of alternative error page functionality, such as “Page Not Found”.

It adds a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to Internet Explorer. The main program executable is hosts2-bg.exe. Typically most users end up uninstalling this just after a few days. The software installer includes 9 files and is usually about 4.51 MB (4,725,717 bytes).

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.

• PrivitizeVPN by OOO Industry

Installation folder: C:\Program Files\hosts2

Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\hosts2\Uninstall.exe /fromcontrolpanel=1

Estimated size: 4.51 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 hosts2, 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 hosts2.
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.

USER ACTIONS Uninstall it 74% Keep it 26%

GLOBAL RANK #19,853

REACH ~0.01% PC installation base

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?

United States	26.01%
MA	12.56%
Israel	7.62%
Sweden	6.73%
DZ	5.83%
Saudi Arabia	3.59%
TN	2.69%
LY	1.79%
SY	1.79%
Australia	1.35%
Canada	1.35%
DK	1.35%
Jordan	1.35%
Malaysia	1.35%

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?

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