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GeniusBox Adware

Also Known As: Ads by GeniusBox
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is GeniusBox?

Developed by TGF Interactive, GeniusBox is a browser extension (an add-on) claiming to enhance the Internet search experience by displaying quick search results from many websites such as Flickr, YouTube, eBay, and Amazon.

While this added functionality may seem useful, there is a downside to using GeniusBox: this browser extension tracks users' browsing habits and displays unwanted ads when visiting popular search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo! These unwanted ads are labelled 'About this GeniusBox ad' and 'TGF Interactive'.

Users often install this browser add-on without their consent, since developers of this browser plug-in employ a marketing method called 'bundling', and in most cases it is installed together with free software downloaded from the Internet.

geniusbox adware

Today, many popular download websites (including download.com, softonic.com, etc.) use 'download clients' offering installation of additional programs with the downloaded free software.

Commonly, these promoted programs are potentially unwanted browser add-ons and toolbars, which add little value to the browsing experience and cause redirect problems, unwanted ads, and privacy issues. Genius Box is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that causes diminished browser performance.

Using this add-on may lead to security and privacy issues, and therefore, you are strongly advised to remove it from your Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox).

Genius Box is identical to another browser add-on created by TGF Interactive called The Genius Factory. The following removal guide is effective in eliminating either of these browser extensions. Note that Genius Box is not a virus or malware, however, due to its deceptive promotion methods (including browser tracking and unwanted ads), it is categorized as adware.

This software is similar to other potentially unwanted browser add-ons such as LessTabs, WebCake, SelectionLinks, and many others.

To avoid unwilling installation of browser add-ons, be attentive when downloading free software, ensuring that you decline installation of additional programs and disallow any suggested changes to browser settings (homepage, default search engine, etc.) To eliminate Genius Box adware, use the removal guide provided below.

GeniusBox adware can install in these different names - “GeniusBox Media”, “GeniusBox Music”, “GeniusBox Videos”, “GeniusBox Movies”, “GeniusBox Books”, “GeniusBox Games” and “GeniusBox News”:

geniuxbox movies geniusbox media geniuxbox videos geniusbox music geniusbox books geniusbox news geniusbox games

Screenshot of GeniusBox application:

geniusbox application

Deceptive free software installers used in GeniusBox adware distribution:

geniusbox adware installer sample 12 geniusbox adware installer sample 11 geniusbox adware installer sample 10 geniusbox adware installer sample 9 geniusbox adware installer sample 8 geniusbox adware installer sample 7 geniusbox adware installer sample 6 geniusbox adware insatller sample 4 genius box adware installer sample 4 geniusbox adware installer sample 3 geniusbox adware installer sample 2 geniusbox adware installer

GeniusBox adware generating intrusive ads in Google Internet search results ('Ad by GeniusBox'):

geniusbox adware generating ads in Google search results

GeniusBox adware generating intrusive banner ads ('Powered by GeniusBox'):

geniusbox adware generating deals ads

GeniusBox adware generating coupon ads in online shopping websites ('Ads by GeniusBox'):

geniusbox adware generating coupon ads in online shopping websites

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Quick menu:

GeniusBox adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

geniusbox adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "GeniusBox 2.0", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling Genius Box, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. Recommended malware removal software.

Remove GeniusBox adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing geniusbox ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "GeniusBox" ( or any other recently installed suspicious plug-ins) and disable it.

Removing geniusbox ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by geniusbox, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing geniusbox ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions".  Locate: "GeniusBox" (or any other recently-installed suspicious plugins), select it and click the trash can icon.

Removing geniusbox ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by geniusbox, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing geniusbox ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and disable "GeniusBox" (or any other recently-installed suspicious plug-ins).

Removing geniusbox ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by geniusbox removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by geniusbox, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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If you have additional information on ads by geniusbox or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by GeniusBox QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by GeniusBox on your mobile device.
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