Browser Broker - How to remove

Browser Broker, also known as Browser_Broker.exe, is an integral component of the official Microsoft Edge browser. As soon the browser is active, Browser_Broker.exe will be displayed in the list of running processes when you open the Task Manager application. Its typical location is C:\Windows\System32. If you prefer to use this particular browser as the default one, the process will be launched whenever the browser is active.

Unfortunately, the investigation shows that the Browser Broker is often abused by cyber frauds. It may be infected or replaced by a certain virus, especially if you do not currently use Microsoft Edge. Some people prefer to use other browsers as their default ones, whereas Browser_Broker.exe may still be active in the Task Manager. This could be the sign of serious malware infection to be in place.

Browser Broker – is it a genuine process

Sometimes it is hard to define visually whether Browser Broker is really a legitimate application on your device. Once again, if you have no troubles with Browser_Broker.exe file and you see simply its single process in the Task Manager when using Microsoft Edge, then there is no need to remove Browser Broker. Otherwise, Microsoft Edge will simply not function without it. However, there are times when there may be several active processes running exactly with this very name. This fact means that there is some virus infection controlling your system, especially on the condition when Microsoft Edge is not available or is not currently in use.

Therefore, Browser_Broker.exe is a legitimate process when it is displayed as a single item in Task Manager while using Microsoft Edge. Or, alternatively, Browser_Broker.exe could be disguised by some malicious program that uses this common name to deceive the users.

Once Browser Broker is related to malware, the following negative side effects may be peculiar to your device:

• continuous high CPU usage caused by adware;
• periodical browser crashes;
• permanent system freezing and critical system errors;
• an excessive number of ads not related to the websites you visit;
• permanent redirections to random websites.

Examples of Browser Broker used by malware

Considering the fact that the Browser Broker is an executable file, it can be modified by several contemporary malware samples. The research of the issue reveals that some hackers nominate their malicious utilities with the names of familiar system utilities that are pretty common in Windows operating systems. We could additionally mention explorer.exe, iexpore.exe and conhost.exe as important system files, nevertheless, these names may be used by several virus infections.

The following malware representatives may refer to the misleading practice of using the names of legitimate system files:

• coin-mining malware;
• spyware;
• adware;
• rootkits;
• worms;
• keyloggers.

The list above is definitely not full. Cyber frauds may spread other types of malware for the purposes of generating the revenue on your device. It is absolutely certain that trojan horses and data-tracking software may essentially compromise your personal details, cause other malicious programs to be installed, or steal your personal or financial information, including your credentials to social networks, credit card details and other strictly confidential data.

How to detect and remove Browser Broker correctly

First of all, we would like to prevent you from performing any steps without the proper knowledge of the specific status of your computer. You should first inspect your available applications and remove the items that definitely look suspicious. Consider those programs that you do not remember installing directly, especially the ones that have random names.

Examine the list of available processes in the Task Manager. If you do not use Microsoft Edge browser currently and still see Browser Broker as one of the active tasks, then there is a great probability that there is some malicious software currently causing high CPU usage and may use the legitimate name of Browser_Broker.exe to mask its hazardous activity. In order to properly research the safety of your computer, we strongly advise that you scan your system with either Spyhunter to identify and fix other problems that may be peculiar to your device.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove Browser Broker using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like Browser Broker install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to Browser Broker . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make Browser Broker easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.