Also called BHO. A BHO is a small program that extends Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Examples of BHO usage include visible add-on toolbars in IE, but can also be hidden functions. Ad- and spyware as well as browser hijackers often use BHOs to display ads or follow your moves across the internet, because a BHO has access to each URL you visit and can redirect you or display other pages than you requested (ads, for example).
BHOs often use ActiveX installation programs.

back to dictionary overview