Spyware Detail

Alias

NavHelper 2.0
Adware/NavHelper[Panda]
Spyware/CommonName[Panda]
NavExcel browser helper

Vendor Description

' Type keywords and search terms into your browser and let us do the navigation No need to remember URLs Access leading search engines directly from your browser. NavHelper 2.0 NavHelper is a small plug-in software that enables your browser with the following great features: Direct Navigation - From your browser's address bar, type a NavExcel Keyword (e.g., "books" or "Company XYZ") to navigate to a website instead of a URL. No need to type in "www" or ".com". Direct Search - Enter search terms directly into your browser's address bar to access top search engines without having to find a search engine site.

NavExcel's mission is to provide Internet users an intuitive and easy way to navigate and search the Internet as well as to provide Internet businesses a better way to market online and drive traffic to their websites. NavExcel seeks to accomplish its mission by encouraging millions of Internet users to download and use NavExcel's NavHelper software to navigate and search the Internet by entering keywords and search terms directly into their Internet browser address bar. NavExcel respects the privacy of Internet users and does not collect any personally-identifiable information about its users who download and use the NavHelper software. NavExcel is a limited liability company registered under the laws of England and Wales, and is based in London. ' -- from http://www.navexcel.com/live/index.html and http://www.navexcel.com/live/about.html

Category

Adware:  Software that displays pop-up/pop-under advertisements when the primary user interface is not visible, or which do not appear to be associated with the product.

Browser Helper Object:  (BHO). A component that Internet Explorer will load whenever it starts, shares IE's memory context, can perform any action on the available windows and modules. A BHO can detect events, create windows to display additional information on a viewed page, monitor messages and actions. Microsoft calls it "a spy we send to infiltrate the browser's land." BHOs are not stopped by personal firewalls, because they are seen by the firewall as your browser itself. Some exploits of this technology search all pages you view in IE and replace banner advertisements with other ads. Some monitor and report on your actions. Some change your home page.

Error Hijacker:  Any software that resets your browser's settings to display a new error page when a requested URL is not found. Hijacks may reroute your info and address requests through an unseen site, capturing that info. In such hijacks, your browser may behave normally, but be slower.

Search Hijacker:  Any software that resets your browser's settings to point to other sites when you perform a search. Hijacks may reroute your info and address requests through an unseen site, capturing that info. In such hijacks, your browser may behave normally, but be slower. Search results when such a hijacker is running will sometimes differ from non-hijacked results.

Toolbar:  A group of buttons which perform common tasks. A toolbar for Internet Explorer is nomally located below the menu bar at the top of the form. Toolbars may be created by Browser Helper Objects.



Reasons For Retention

This research was conducted 02.07.2005. Based on eTrust PestPatrol® Spyware Scorecard v2.0 NavExcel violates the following criteria: Installs or updates without user permission or knowledge at time of installation. NavExcel came bundled with PopupsNuker. Language on popupnuker.com reads, 'PopupsNuker Ver 1.0.0. is designed to block all advertisements.' PopupsNuker's installation methods do not make clear (or any mention, actually) the user will be getting NavExcel. It also came bundled with eBates Moe MoneyMaker, and IPInsight. NavExcel does not present to the user any installation screen or other method that gives clear understanding and choice to the user. Second, because it was installed without permission, it violates: 'changes browser settings including the default search provider, home or error page(s), without user permission.' Address bar searches are redirected to www.trustedsearch.com. Third, NavExcel violates: 'silently tracks input or personally identifiable information without user permission.' Keywords entered into the address bar

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