Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango

Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is a browser helper object for Internet Explorer that is marketed as a shopping aid. This program is meant to notify the computer user about potential special offers, coupons and shopping news. The Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango browser helper object contains some features that are characteristic of invasive, malicious spyware. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is also often bundled along with harmful Adware and Trojans. ESG team of malware analysts advises avoiding Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango and treating Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango as a potential malware infection.

Why Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango May Not Be Harmless?

Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango establishes a connection with a remote server and attempts to download several files. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango also produces inbound and outbound traffic to and from the computer on which Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is installed. Most importantly, the Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango toolbar can monitor your online activity and share this activity with a third party. The Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango browser helper object is often associated with Adware infections. This kind of malware is designed to spam a computer user with malicious advertisements that may contain other kinds of malware. The Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango poses a serious risk to its victims' privacy and security.

Differentiating Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango from Legitimate Shopping Helpers

There exist Internet Explorer toolbars and programs designed to aid shoppers in finding the best special offers and lowest prices. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is not one of these. When looking for a program designed to help with shopping, there are several things to watch out for:

• First of all, it is important to make sure that your downloaded program does not try to establish unauthorized connections with third parties. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango does this, supposedly to download updates. However, Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango also creates outbound traffic that may contain data about its victim's online habits.
• Legitimate shopping helper applications will also never spam you with unwanted pop-up advertisements. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is usually bundled with malware applications that do exactly that. Clicking on any of the advertisement that originate with Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango will often result in additional, severe malware problems on the infected computer.
• Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango changes your Internet browser settings, homepage, and even your desktop background. This is not a practice that is normally associated with legitimate, helpful applications. If you find yourself constantly directed to unwanted websites, or find that your bookmarks, homepage, and other browser settings have been altered, you can be sure that your toolbar is probably a malware infection.
• Legitimate Internet Explorer Browser Helper Objects can be easily removed by following normal removal procedures. Not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Zango is not easily removed from your computer. Additional measures (i.e., using an anti-spyware program) will often be required.