Hotspot Shield Toolbar
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Ranking: | 9,152 |
| Threat Level: | 50 % (Medium) |
| Infected Computers: | 3,684 |
| First Seen: | August 27, 2013 |
| Last Seen: | September 14, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The Hotspot Shield Toolbar is commonly considered as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) because of various unwanted symptoms that appear on computer systems on which the Hotspot Shield Toolbar is installed. The Hotspot Shield Toolbar is designed to redirect computer users to the infamous Conduit search engine which has been associated with numerous unwanted browser toolbars similar to Hotspot Shield Toolbar. There are several issues related to the Hotspot Shield Toolbar that have caused PC security analysts to worry about the nature of this program:
- The Hotspot Shield Toolbar may cause unwanted redirects on the affected computer, forcing computer users to visit the Conduit search engine repeatedly.
- The Hotspot Shield Toolbar may cause advertisements and sponsored search links to appear in search results, often exposing computer users to undesirable content.
- The Hotspot Shield Toolbar may cause pop-up advertisements and error messages on an affected Web browser.
- Many computer users have reported that the Hotspot Shield Toolbar causes their computer to perform poorly, and their Internet connection to slow down significantly.
The Hotspot Shield Toolbar is usually installed after the computer user installs Hotspot Shield, a popular VPN application that allows computer users to access blocked websites or carry out similar tasks. Although it is possible to opt out of installing the Hotspot Shield Toolbar, many computer users do not realize that they do not need to use this program in order to use their freeware application. Essentially, the Hotspot Shield Toolbar is designed to generate advertising and affiliate marketing revenue, giving the creators of Hotspot Shield a source of revenue. Whether you wish to let them do this or not is your choice, but many computer users do not realize their true intent. Because of this, ESG security researchers advise avoiding Hotspot Shield Toolbar and similar toolbars since the many problems associated with these kinds of programs usually outweigh the benefits.
Table of Contents
Preventing Problems Associated with the Hotspot Shield Toolbar
To stop problems associated with the Hotspot Shield Toolbar, ESG security analysts advise removing this PUP from your Web browser. Since its redirects may expose your computer to harmful material, ESG security researchers then advise using a reliable anti-malware program to scan your computer for malware. Finally, it may be necessary to undo harmful changes made to your computer's settings manually.
SpyHunter Detects & Remove Hotspot Shield Toolbar
Registry Details
Directories
Hotspot Shield Toolbar may create the following directory or directories:
| %ProgramFiles%\AF-HSS |
| %ProgramFiles(x86)%\AF-HSS |
| %UserProfile%\AppData\LocalLow\AF-HSS |
| %temp%\CT1561552 |
Submit Comment
Please DO NOT use this comment system for support or billing questions. For SpyHunter technical support requests, please contact our technical support team directly by opening a customer support ticket via your SpyHunter. For billing issues, please refer to our "Billing Questions or Problems?" page. For general inquiries (complaints, legal, press, marketing, copyright), visit our "Inquiries and Feedback" page.