Browser Helper Object: Difference between revisions

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The BHO [[application programming interface|API]] exposes [[hooking|hook]]s 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]] malware is a BHO that is activated when a secure [[HTTP]] connection is made to a financial institution, then begins to [[keystroke logging|record keystrokes]] for the purpose of capturing user passwords. The [[MyWay Searchbar]] tracks users' browsing patterns and passes the information it records to third parties. The [[C2.LOP]] malware adds links and popups of its own to web pages in order to drive users to [[pay-per-click]] websites.{{cn|date=May 2021}}
 
Many BHOs introduce visible changes to a browser's interface, such as installing toolbars in Internet Explorer and the like, but others run without any change to the interface. This renders it easy for malicious coders to conceal the actions of their browser add-on, especially since, after being installed, the BHO seldom requires permission before performing further actions. For instance, variants of the ClSpring trojan use BHOs to install scripts to provide a number of instructions to be performed such as adding and deleting registry values and downloading additional executable files, all completely transparently to the user.<ref>Computer Associates malware entry at [http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=42280 ca.com], retrieved 1/16/2009</ref> The [[DyFuCA]] spyware even replaces Internet Explorer's general error page with an ad page.