BHO, Browser Helper Object

Dictionary

A BHO is a small program that extends Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Examples of BHO usage include visible add-on toolbars in IE, but can also be hidden functions. Ad- and spyware as well as browser hijackers often use BHOs to display ads or follow your moves across the internet, because a BHO has access to each URL you visit and can redirect you or display other pages than you requested (ads, for example). BHOs often use ActiveX installation programs.

BHO

Tools

Spybot-S&D is able to display a list of installed browser helper applications. It also has a small database integrated that will display a green checkmark in front of browser helpers known as legit, and a red sign in front if applications known as illegit. It also allows the user to enable or disable single BHOs. This list can be exported into a text file as a reference and for further analysis. New feature added in version 1.3: entries that have changed since the last snapshot (the first snapshot is created when you started Spybot-S&D for the first time, later on you can create snapshots by right-clicking the list and selecting the corresponding menu item) are displayed in bold letters. This allows you to see changes to the list at once.