What is a Browser Helper Object?
A Browser Helper Object (BHO) is a type of Microsoft Windows software that is designed to extend the functionality of the web browser. There are a number of different ways that a BHO can enhance the browser experience, but the most common is by providing additional context menus, toolbars, or toolbar buttons.
When a user installs a BHO, it is automatically registered with the operating system and made available to any instance of the web browser. In some cases, a BHO will only work with a specific browser or browser version. In other cases, a BHO can be used by any browser that supports the required technology.
One of the most important things to understand about a BHO is that it runs in the same process as the web browser. This means that a BHO has the same privileges as the web browser itself. As a result, a BHO can potentially exposed the user to a range of security risks.
For this reason, it is important to only install BHOs from trusted sources. In addition, it is generally a good idea to disable or uninstall any BHOs that are no longer being used.
Microsoft provides a number of different APIs that can be used to develop BHOs. The most common is the Browser Helper Object API, which is a COM-based API. This API can be used to develop BHOs for Internet Explorer 11 and earlier versions.
The Microsoft Edge Extension API can be used to develop BHOs for Microsoft Edge. This API is based on JavaScript and HTML, and it offers a significantly more powerful and flexible way to extend the browser.
Extensions are also supported in a number of other browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. These browsers typically use a different API, such as the WebExtensions API.
If you’re interested in developing a BHO, then you’ll need to choose the right API for your needs. You’ll also need to be aware of the security risks involved, and take steps to mitigate them.Click here to find out more
What is Traybundle Spyware?
Traybundle is a name given to a specific type of spyware that is known to targeting computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. The name refers to the fact that the malware is typically bundled with other software that is distributed through peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, meaning that it is often downloaded without the user’s knowledge. Once installed, the Traybundle spyware will display advertising on the infected computer, as well as collect personal information that can be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes. In some cases, the spyware may also install additional software on the computer without the user’s consent.
The Traybundle spyware is believed to be of Russian origin, and was first discovered in 2006. It is not clear how the spyware is distributed, but it is known to be bundled with other software that is frequently downloaded from P2P networks. Once installed, the Traybundle spyware will add several new files to the Windows system directory, as well as create a new startup key in the Windows Registry. These files and keys allow the spyware to automatically start whenever the computer is booted up.
Once started, the Traybundle spyware will display various types of advertising on the infected computer. In some cases, the ads may be in the form of pop-ups, while in others they may be embedded in web pages that the user visits. The ads may be offset from the main content of the web page, or they may completely cover it. In addition to displaying ads, the Traybundle spyware is also capable of collecting personal information from the infected computer. This information may include the user’s name, address, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. This information is then transmitted back to the spyware’s creators, who may use it for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
In some cases, the Traybundle spyware may also install additional software on the infected computer without the user’s consent. This software may include browser hijackers, which redirect the user’s web browser to unwanted websites, or keyloggers, which record the user’s keystrokes and transmit them back to the spyware’s creators. In some cases, the additional software may be installed silently, without the user’s knowledge.
The Traybundle spyware is a serious threat to the security and privacy of any computer that is infected with it. If you believe that your computer may be infected with this spyware, you should take steps to remove it immediately. There are a number of reputable anti-spyware programs that can detect and remove the Traybundle spyware, as well as any additional software that may have been installed along with it.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about types of spyware. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.