Browser Helper Object (BHO) actually is a plug-in or add-on for Microsoft Internet Explorer. Introduce since October 1997 from Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 4. The main function of BHO was for third party integrated with Microsoft internet explorer for example: When we are open file with extension pdf from Internet explorer, acrobat reader from adobe can open the file in internet explorer windows without exist from internet explorer. Nowadays a lot of third party program can integrated with internet explorer because of Browser Helper Object framework like quick time for play music or movie, google tool bar and etc. From Technical point of view, a BHO is a DLL Module which can run by Internet Explorer only. The third party needs to write the program which provide by Microsoft as the framework. The BHO needs Internet Explorer to be the host for operate it. Without Internet Explorer the BHO is nothing. Others function the BHO is as a bridge to integrated third party with the main application example: Microsoft office.
Every time as we are open Internet Explorer, all the BHO installed by us and still enabled will be open by Internet Explorer and remain on memory. Have too many BHO installed on our computer and enabled can cause waste a lot of our computer resources. Unfortunately, we are not aware like when we are visit some website or download some file with ask us to install some “plug-in” or “add-on” or “program” to open/play the file and probably we are only use one time the “plug-in” or ”add-on” or ”program for open/play the file. The effect for the Internet explorer will be cumulative decrease our computer performance because every time open internet explorer the BHO will be automatically loaded by internet explorer, think about 2 weeks or one month installed one plug-in.
a BHO on security point of view more power than a html file as usual we are open on Internet Explorer, a BHO have unrestricted access to the Internet Explorer event model. Some of malware use it like download.ject, MyWay SearchBar and etc, its malware as a BHO. They are using the power of unrestricted access to the Internet Explorer event model for example capture internet activity and send the user private information to the host which control by the malware. Not all of the BHO is useful like malware but a lot of that’s is useful like acrobat reader or google toolbar and many of others
A BHO can use for utilize our standard functions come from Internet Explorer but some of that’s can be problem for us especially for malware, some of that’s only waste our computer resources. If you ever look at your BHO, now time to look at it.
From windows XP SP2 you can manage BHO by click tools on Internet Explorer and then click Manage add-ons. You can disable or enable BHO installed on your system.
BHO (Browser Helper Object) is only can use for Microsoft Internet Explorer, but others browser has that’s functionality some of that’s call as plug-ins others maybe add-ons. Each others cannot use by others.
