Bird, for lingo terms you are interested in learning what they mean a Google search is usually uour best reference point to start; A Browser Helper Object (BHO) is a DLL module designed as a plugin for Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser to provide added functionality. BHOs were introduced in October 1997 with the release of version 4 of Internet Explorer. Most BHOs are loaded once by each new instance of Internet Explorer. However, in the case of the Windows File Explorer, a new instance is launched for each window. Some modules enable the display of different file formats not ordinarily interpretable by the browser. The Adobe Acrobat plugin that allows Internet Explorer users to read PDF files within their browser is a BHO. Other modules add toolbars to Internet Explorer, such as the Alexa Toolbar that provides a list of web sites related to the one you are currently browsing, or the Google Toolbar that adds a toolbar with a Google search box to the browser user interface. Contents [hide] 1 Concerns 2 See also 3 External links 3.1 Microsoft sites 3.2 Listings and examples 3.3 Removal tools [edit] Concerns The BHO API exposes hooks that allow the BHO to access the Document Object Model (DOM) of the current page and to control navigation. Because BHOs have unrestricted access to the Internet Explorer event model, some forms of malware have also been created as BHOs. For example, the Download.ject exploit installed a BHO that would activate upon detecting a secure HTTP connection to a financial institution, record the user's keystrokes (intending to capture passwords) and transmit the information to a website used by Russian computer criminals. Other BHOs such as the MyWay Searchbar track users' browsing patterns and pass the information they record to third parties. In response to the problems associated with BHOs and similar extensions to Internet Explorer, Microsoft added an Add-on Manager to Internet Explorer with the release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. This displays a list of all installed BHOs, browser extensions and ActiveX controls, and allows the user to enable or disable them at will. For users that are not using Windows XP, there are free tools (such as BHODemon) that list installed BHOs and allow the user to disable malicious extensions. Many BHOs actually install toolbars in Internet Explorer. It is therefore possible that a PC contains BHOs that the owner doesn't know about. The security risk here is that the BHO doesn't need any kind of permission to install malicious components and thus spyware may be spread without the user's knowledge. Since it's relatively easy to write BHOs, many badly written BHOs will harm the computer and compromise its security, and even sometimes destroy valuable data or corrupt system files. ********* And. . . . instances Published: November 01, 2004 Send your feedback Introduction Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) are in-process Component Object Model (COM) components-that Internet Explorer will load each time it starts up. Such objects run in the same memory context as the browser and can perform any action on the available windows and modules. BHOs are triggered for each Internet Explorer and Explorer processes (iexplore.exe and explorer.exe processes). This means that BHOs are loaded each time when you open a folder window or Control Panel. Usually, there is no need to load all the BHOs for folder windows or while opening Control Panel. In such case, you can prevent a BHO from loading with Explorer.exe process. Though I've not benchmarked the results (Resources occupied by Explorer.exe with BHO loaded, and without a BHO loaded), I believe it should improve the performance, (theoretically speaking). Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Browser Helper Objects You'll see some sub-keys in GUID format, depending upon the number of BHOs installed in your system. Say, if you want to disable EERedirect.Handler BHO (which I use only for Internet Explorer) from loading with Explorer.exe process, select the appropriate GUID. In the right-pane, add a new REG_DWORD named NoExplorer and set it's value to 1 Example: EERedirect Handler's GUID is {F02B00B3-A88C-4EF1-98FE-557F1DAF6E4D}. Add the NoExplorer REG_DWORD in the right-pane of this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Browser Helper Objects\ {F02B00B3-A88C-4EF1-98FE-557F1DAF6E4D} Now, EERedirect.Handler BHO will not load when you open a folder, or Control Panel window, but loads with IExplorer.exe instances. You can easily verify the results using a Process monitoring tool such as Process Explorer (from sysinternals.com). Related resources Browser Helper Objects:The Browser the Way You Want It Disable or delete a BHO using ToolbarCop --------------------------------------------------------------------- Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster. http://www.ihatespam.net -----Original Message----- From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Yardbird Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:43 AM To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: What is this IE Add-On? Thanks. Now may I ask what a browser helper object is, in plain English? For instance, I've never gotten the hang of how the term "object" is used in computer lingo. So could you paraphrase that in a more colloquial way? For instance, does "B H O"mean an aftermarket accessory to improve the performance of the browser in some way? And in what sense is that an "object," in ordinary terms? The use of the word "object" in these contexts must, it seems to me, have some sort of metaphorical meaning that's been adopted in computer talk, because it doesn't seem it means physical objects, or something to be acted upon by something else, as in "the object of my affections," for instance. Please note: This is a sincere question about English usage, not sarcasm. So if no one knows, because everyone's just sort of absorbed these expressions, okay, I'll accept that. But please no flaming or insults. Thanks. thanks. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert S. Batchelor" <leehigh73@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 7:43 AM Subject: RE: What is this IE Add-On? Browser Helper Object --------------------------------------------------------------------- Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster. http://www.ihatespam.net -----Original Message----- From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Yardbird Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:37 AM To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: What is this IE Add-On? What is the BHO? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cher Bosch" <Cher.Bosch@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:59 AM Subject: Re: What is this IE Add-On? Found the answer... It's the BHO (what shows up if you have Spybot S&D installed). Cher >>> "Cher Bosch" <Cher.Bosch@xxxxxxxxxxx> 02/22/07 8:43 AM >>> Under Manage Add-ons Show: Add-ons currently loaded in Internet Explorer there is this entry... {53707962-6F74-2D53-... Safer Networking Ltd. Enabled Browser Helper Object SDHelper. Does anyone know if this is this legit or malware? Cher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/696 - Release Date: 2/21/2007 3:19 PM -- JFW related links: JFW homepage: http://www.freedomscientific.com/ Scripting mailing list: http://lists.the-jdh.com/listinfo.cgi/scriptography-the-jdh.com JFW List instructions: To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line. 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Rather contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/696 - Release Date: 2/21/2007 3:19 PM -- JFW related links: JFW homepage: http://www.freedomscientific.com/ Scripting mailing list: http://lists.the-jdh.com/listinfo.cgi/scriptography-the-jdh.com JFW List instructions: To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line. Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list, or the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx __________ NOD32 2075 (20070222) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com -- JFW related links: JFW homepage: http://www.freedomscientific.com/ Scripting mailing list: http://lists.the-jdh.com/listinfo.cgi/scriptography-the-jdh.com JFW List instructions: To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line. Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list, or the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx