Enabling IE Browser Helper SDHelper.dll

This section provides a quick description of Spybot IE spyware blocker, SDHelper.dll and a tutorial example on how to setup SDHelper.dll to show which spyware tracking cookies are blocked.

After I installed Spybot - Search & Destroy, I notice that an IE browser helper object has been installed on my computer. See this entry in the HijackThis report:

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} 
   - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll

My guess is that SDHelper.dll is running to prevent spyware infecting my computer through IE. Here is what I did to test this:

1. Close all IE browser windows.

2. Run Spybot and click Immunize. It will check the current IE immunity.

3. When the checking is done, make "Enable permanent blocking of bad addresses in Internet Explorer" checked. And select "Ask for blocking confirmation" in the dropdown option list.

4. Run IE browser and visit htt://www.cnn.com. A number of Spybot-S&D Resident confirmation dialog boxes show up. One of them looks like this:

Spybot - IE Spyware Blocker
Spybot - IE Spyware Blocker

5. Read the confirmation message on the dialog box: Spybot-S&D reports that you want to download "/Advertising.com". This is a known threat. Do you want to BLOCK this download?".

6. Click Yes to all confirmation dialog boxes.

What is actually reported by Spybot is that some other Websites used by the CNN home page are trying to send potential spyware tracking cookies to my computer. The word "download" used in the confirmation message is not accurate. IE will not automatically download anything to my computer. Only some cookie data are stored as cookie files.

As you can see, Spybot is doing a good job to watch out any tracking cookies from any Website that is on the big list of known spyware Websites.

If you like to keep this IE spyware blocker, you can change the Spybot immunize option to "Block all bad pages silently". So you don't see the confirmation dialog boxes.

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 Introduction to Microsoft Windows

 Introduction to Windows Explorer

 Introduction to Internet Explorer

 "Paint" Program and Computer Graphics

 GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program

 JPEG Image File Format Quality and Size

 GIF Image File Format and Transparent Background

 "WinZip" - ZIP File Compression Tool

 "WinRAR" - RAR and ZIP File Compression Tool

 FTP Server, Client and Commands

 "FileZilla" - Free FTP Client and Server

 Web Server Log Files and Analysis Tool - "Analog"

 Spyware Adware Detection and Removal

 IE Addon Program Listing and Removal

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Downloading and Installing Spybot 1.4

 On-Demand Scanning of SpyWare Infections

 What Is AdRevolver Tracking Cookie

 Removing Reported Tracking Cookies

 Deleting Cookies Stored in Firefox

 Deleting Cookies Stored in IE

 Deleting MyWay MySearch Registry Key

Enabling IE Browser Helper SDHelper.dll

 Setting Up and Using Crossover Cable Network

 Home Network Gateway - DSL Modem/Wireless Router

 Windows Task Manager - The System Performance Tool

 "tasklist" Command Line Tool to List Process Information

 "msconfig" - System Configuration Tool

 Configuring and Managing System Services

 Windows Registry Key and Value Management Tools

 Startup Programs Removal for Better System Performance

 Winsock - Windows Sockets API

 Java on Windows

 Glossary of Terms

 Outdated Tutorials

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB