Browser Helper Objects ---

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Smee

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As a computer tech (part time, also a part time collections manager, PT repo man, PT delivery man, . . . etc.) lately I have been getting bunches of computers coming through with all kinds of Browser Helper Objects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_Helper_Object), which can do a lot of damage to your system, and even to your personal life.

Hijack This! (a tool produced by Trend Micro Antivirus) usually identifies them as a BHO. You probably have several innocuous ones on your computer. There is usually one for Microsoft Instant Messenger (dangerous program because of the security flaws, but . . .). It allows you to access MSIM from your Internet Explorer window.

Other BHO's are quite dangerous. The BHO of itself, does very little. It is usually a poorly written program written by coders with little to no experience in legitimate computer programming. What this means is that the code is easily hackable, which can be discussed later.

The danger comes when the BHO begins to run malicious programs on your computer. Some of these BHO's may download viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPS). Some of these programs are even designed to access your banking accounts and otherwise gather personal information about you, without your permission and this is not in your best interests. The worst ones can dramatically increase your debt by spending your money to satisfy their creator's selfish desires for wealth and goodies.

So, what is one to do? Well, as mentioned earlier, Hijack This!(HJT) can show you where they are hiding on your computer. Make sure that windows' Explorer is closed before you start. After running the scan, you will see these BHO's listed. Don't just kick them out, do a little research. Check out their "Privacy Policy" and make sure that they aren't going to "suck you dry" by driving up the cost of keeping your computer healthy.

How could they do that? Well, if you bring it in to my shop after the fact, then besides the money you may have already lost, I will have to charge you the going rate for computer repair. This will not be cheap, but I'll try not to dig too deep into you children's future earnings :tongue3:. Hopefully, your computer's infection will not be "terminal" as in "too advanced to be repairable." This can happen if the effects of BHO's are ignored too long.

At that point, we will kill the operating system. Unfortunately, we will have to make that decision based on what we believe you will be able to afford. We won't have time to get your opinion because that might significantly raise the cost. You would not believe the time and money we used to expend on recovering photographs and personal data before killing the system! After all, time is money in this business . . . besides, I may need the dock for another computer with better prospects of recovery.

The process will destroy the desktop you've grown to love and it will never be recoverable. You'll be able to start all over again without your beloved icons after they have been turned to vapor in the cybersphere. But you'll feel better about the change someday.

So, take the time to be careful about which BHO's you allow into your life. Your computer will thank you, and you'll be able to sleep better at night knowing that if you avoid a BHO infection, your desktop can be around as long as you want without someone else deciding when to pull the plug.

There are people working on a solution but it appears to be a couple of years out yet. Hopefully the new software will be able to defeat this insidious threat . . . but for now, please be aware.

Hope this helps. :icon_thumright:
 

hammered

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Great info, nice one Smee :icon_thumleft:

hammered
 

spartacus53

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Great information, it seems everyday there is a new idiot out there trying to make a fast buck.
 

Dano Sverige

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Good sound info mate..but i used Hijackthis some years ago until the rumours went around that someone hacked it and it was installing malware whenever you used it!
Dunno how true or not,stopped using it. Just hope it's safe now as it was a neat little program and helped me find quite a few viruses etc.
 

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Smee

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Dano Sverige said:
Good sound info mate..but i used Hijackthis some years ago until the rumours went around that someone hacked it and it was installing malware whenever you used it!
Dunno how true or not,stopped using it. Just hope it's safe now as it was a neat little program and helped me find quite a few viruses etc.

No, never a virus in the LEGITIMATE version . . . but there were a few warez sites that claimed to have a "special" version. You ever use pirated software? EEWWwww!

A BHO brings about Changes to your system that will cause you to lose all Hope.
 

Dano Sverige

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Yup..have honestly lost hope a good few times lol. Never used "Warez", Basically because i never knew what the heck it was! :laughing9:
(I do now.)
I remember scanning my first PC's after problems and seeing BHO this..BHO that..all over. Trouble was i never knew what was supposed to be in there and what wasn't! Totally tech dumb i am :icon_scratch:
 

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Smee

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So, open question:

What's the most dangerous B.H.O. you've ever seen?
 

Dano Sverige

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Barrack Horatio Obama!!

I honestly couldn't tell you mate,it's been at least 4 years,probably longer since i had a problem PC wise, and i'm old and memory fades lol.
I remember the problem i usually got was it'd load normally upto the desktop screen for 10 seconds..and then just reboot all the time! Dunno if it was a BHO or not,mostly i just bought a new PC :laughing9:
 

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Smee

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Can't post that name here (haven't changed sides, have you?) !

We must banish you to the political forums!!!
 

Dano Sverige

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Lmao..i never have a "side" mate, i just go the opposite way to whoever i feel like bugging on the day! :laughing9:
 

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Smee

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Well, heck fire, I kinda feel honored!

Glad you stuck your head out of the politics forum long enough to post here (JK)
 

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