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Spyware Doctor

View and Edit Browser Help Objects (BHOs) and Extensions

SUMMARY: Display and remove possible Internet Explorer Browser Helper Objects that may be malware.


 

Spyware Doctor lets you view details about Internet Explorer Browser Helper Objects, or BHOs. These Internet Explorer add-ons normally provide added functionality such as the ability to view certain multimedia or publishing documents from within the browser itself. However, rogue BHOs can be installed by spyware, adware, and malware to perform other nefarious deeds.

Also, Spyware Doctor lets you view information about other Internet Explorer browser extensions, which can sometime be legitimate, other times spyware.

To view the BHO report:

1. From within Spyware Doctor, click the "OnGuard" button on the left side.
2. Make sure "Activate OnGuard" is checked.
3. Click "Browser Guard".
4. Click the "Browser Objects List" tab.

The top section shows a list of installed Browser Helper Objects. BHOs preceded by a green circle should be safe. Click a BHO and then click the "Additional Information" link for more information about the BHO, including its Class Name (description), DLL (filename of the BHO), and CLSID (a unique identifier you can search for on the Internet to help determine if the BHO is legitimate or not).

If you wish to unregister a BHO so it is no longer active in Internet Explorer, click the BHO and then the "Unregister" link, answering "Yes" when prompted. Likewise, you can re-register a legitimate, unregistered BHO if you find you need its features in Internet Explorer. Click a BHO and then the "Register" link.

The bottom section lists Browser Extensions. Instructions for viewing / manipulating this software are the same as the above section.



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