What is SkypeBrowserHost.exe?

I want to contribute to your sites's info and value cause I like your style Roger "shameless self promotion ;) " LOL.... and I like what you are doing on hos site. ... even though I firs posted this on Avast' Forum.

I did a scan of my SkypeBrowserHost.exe file at www.virustotal.com and here is he report:

-------Scan report for SkypeBrowserHost.exe ----------
This file was last analysed by VirusTotal on 2015-01-07 15:02:32 UTC, it was first analysed by VirusTotal on 2014-09-03 12:44:09 UTC.

Detection ratio: 0/55
-----------end report--------

I often look at the Skype folder contents inside Program Files(x86) and have never seen this folder called Browser until today. Inside it was our file: SkypeBrowserHost.exe

I ran SkypeBrowserHost.exe by double clicking wondering if it is related to Skype's new Browser based feature we have heard was coming a few months ago. Nothing happened. No Avast warning. and nothing visible. I could see it running in task Manager. I did a search and found this thread. An Avast scan says No threat Found.

I read about SkypeBrowserHost.exe on Herd Protect (See: https://herdprotect.com/skypebrowserhost.exe-def28ddd837e6d09ebf6b704f45d85b971932cfc.aspx ) and see I have an uninfected version:
There are 3 known versions of skypebrowserhost.exe by Skype Technologies.
44 / 68 (Infected)skypebrowserhost.exe 6.13.0.164 (32ec60f981153f695b412de8bf4a0dc28db4928a)
0 / 68 skypebrowserhost.exe 6.13.0.158 (7ba4acceee6dea1195b6543cad45c8090c0d2fcd)
0 / 68 skypebrowserhost.exe 6.13.0.158 (0ebc0cc5ba6cc5673c908fe2e24737205213061c)

So mine seems safe. One question: Does any one know what its used for?
Note: I am seeing this after setting up my laptop Win7, to stop Skype updates. I am wondering how these two things effect each other, if at all. Any comments or ideas?

Lastly, I would love to connect on Skype with you Roger, and anyone more knowledgeable than I to discuss security issues. I have several Skype rooms on the subject of Skype and computer security. Skype ID juliewolf Skype Coach. When adding me, please refer to this thread with a url above and the word SkypeBrowserHost.exe to remind me. Thanks.

# 8 Jan 2015, 15:08

Thanks for replying Roger. I have seen it on others computer in the same location (Skype folder in Program Files). So I am still thinking it must be about Skype's new use in the Browser. Here is that article about Skype on the web: http://blogs.skype.com/2014/11/14/please-welcome-skype-for-web-beta/ I am just guessing about this, but like I said, this is suddenly newly showing up in a new folder called Browser in the Skype folder in Program Files where versions are kept/updated. We will see.

# 9 Jan 2015, 23:50

According to http://systemexplorer.net/file-database/file/skypebrowserhost-exe/27547964 demographics, this file is heavily related to Russia, and Ukraine and Algerie as well. Just that makes me suspicious. I removed it, I want nothing to do with anything that originates from Russia when it comes to unknown DLLs, and I would recommend anyone to follow the same path.
Will be interesting to see if/how Skype explains this PUP. I got it in an auto-update for Skype, haven't used it for a year or so and literally just got it.

Needless to say, this is (subjectively of course) trash whether it's infected or not, as users like me have no use for any Skype "Browser incorporation" whatsoever, neither would I ever want to litter any browser with add-ons due to performance and security issues.

Of course, again, this is just a subjective view from an angry computer geek (angry because I hate getting **** that I don't ask for, and even angrier knowing it's almost unvoidable, and almost even angrier that it's so tolerated among people so that it can continue unchecked)

Well I hope my rant will grant perspective in general for other web users. My only advice will be that you take this stance rather than the opposite: Unknown programs(dll's, .exe's etc) are HOSTILE and out to HARM you until the OPPOSITE is proven.

# 25 Jan 2015, 4:21

I appreciate your perspective Seb and generally agree. Being a Skype for Business mentor, I am watching This Skype move to the browser. You mention "unavoidable" with Skype updates. I have found that my "special adjustments" to stop updates and update notices, prevented this new Browser folder and file to appear, while others now all have it. Did you read my above 1st comment?

One more thing to remind everyone, with Skype updates, you need to check your Skype files settings and turn automatic file accepting OFF! Updates change this to automatic downloading of files, even sent into group Skype rooms... which is not safe! NEVER ACCEPT UNEXPECTED SKYPE FILES!

I have a YouTube video showing it and a thread on the Skype Community Forum to have MS/Skype FIX/STOP This setting change with Skype updates. I have a Skype Idea room for us to get more votes(Kudos) for the changes we want Skype to make.

Please Forgive my going off topic here Roger.

Julie Wolf - Skype Coach

# 26 Jan 2015, 8:53

There is information in the Skype Community forum here on SkypeBrowserHost.exe Here is the link to it: https://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-desktop-client/What-is-the-skypebrowserhost-that-just-appeared/m-p/4505202#M439932

# 20 Oct 2016, 9:40

The SkypeBrowserHost is not malware, it's a component that should improve stability and performance of the Skype. Details: http://www.skaip.org/process-skypebrowserhost-exe

# 25 Oct 2016, 19:35

I don't know what it is suppose to do but to me its malware it started multiple extensions of itself in my processes running (ctr-alt-delete) until it consumed 90% of my computers RAM while i was sleeping. In the end i was forced to force a shutdown of my computer as it totally freezed up. Don't like this file at all.

# 29 Oct 2016, 5:05

Regardless of its function or purpose:
I did not install it.
I was not asked to install it.
In my case 7 or 8 instances of said file running simultaneously, with Skype inactive and never ever using nor wanting to use MSIE, is much too much CPU and RAM usage for me to tolerate it. I've trashed the file

# 4 Feb 2017, 15:39