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PremierOpinion Surveys

Also Known As: PremierOpinion or RelevantKnowledge adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is PremierOpinion?

Created by VoiceFive Inc, the PremierOpinion program claims to help users to express their opinions about products and services that matter most to them. By participating in online research, PremierOpinion members have the opportunity to influence leading companies while earning cash rewards, gift cards, or entries into valuable sweepstakes.

While this functionality may seem legitimate, be aware that the PremierOpinion app is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application since it displays surveys on various shopping websites.

Many users report that this browser plug-in was installed on their Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent, and furthermore, many experience diminished browser performance as a result. The developers of the PremierOpinion app employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' for distribution.

premieropinion adware

Unwilling installation of this adware is often a consequence of not paying close enough attention when downloading and installing free software. Be aware that many download websites and freeware developers bundle their free downloads and programs with additional promoted software such as toolbars, browser add-ons, etc to monetize incoming web traffic.

If you do not pay close attention by checking each step during the freeware installation phase, you may inadvertently install PremierOpinionor or other adware. This plug-in is not technically a computer virus, however, it is categorized as adware and you are advised to remove it from your computer since it tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

After successful installation, PremierOpinion tracks IP addresses, websites visited (and interactions with those sites), Internet search terms, videos viewed, products purchased from online shops, form data, content downloaded or uploaded, and other software and hardware information that can be personally identifiable. This tracking can result in privacy issues and identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name PremierOpinion or RelevantKnowledge adware
Threat Type Adware
Detection Names Avast (FileRepMalware [PUP]), AVG (FileRepMalware [PUP]), Emsisoft (Application.Generic (A)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent.laqs), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution Methods Deceptive pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications (adware)
Damage Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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How did adware install on my computer?

Most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' within freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, amongst many others. PremierOpinion adware is similar to other potentially unwanted programs that are distributed via free software downloads.

Examples include Consumer Input, PicRec, Easy Deals, and SelectNGo. Most freeware download websites employ download managers to monetize their free services by offering installation of promoted browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

Thus, careless download and installation of free software may lead to adware or malware infections. This situation can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the freeware download process and never accepting installation of any additional applications offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and enable you to decline them. Computer users who have installed PremierOpinion should follow this removal guide to eliminate this adware from their Internet browsers.

A previous variant of PremierOpinion named RelevantKnowledge:

premieropinion is a new variant of relevantknowledge

Download page for PremierOpinion:

premieropinion adware promoter

Deceptive free software installer distributing PremierOpinion potentially unwanted application to Mac users:

premieropinion pup mac installer

Deceptive free software installers used in PremierOpinion (at time of testing PremierOpinion was presented as RelevantKnowledge) adware distribution (Windows Users):

premieropinion adware installer sample 5 PremierOpinion adware-promoting installer Rogue installation setup used to promote Premier Opinion Rogue installer promoting PremierOpinion adware (2020-09-21) premieropinion adware installer sample 4 premier opinion adware installer sample 3 premieropinion adware installer sample 2 premieropinion adware installer Deceptive installer promoting PremierOpinion Surveys (2020-12-17) Deceptive installer promoting PremierOpinion Surveys (2021-01-28)

PremierOpinion adware generating intrusive online surveys:

PremierOpinion advertisements

PremierOpinion Surveys adware's process ("Survey") in Windows Task Manager:

PremierOpinion Surveys adware process in Windows Task Manager

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Quick menu:

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.

PremiereOpinion adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes PremiereOpinion redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

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

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing PremiereOpinion  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Removing PremiereOpinion ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the premieropinion or relevantknowledge adware, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing PremiereOpinion 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing PremiereOpinion ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with premieropinion or relevantknowledge adware 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 premieropinion or relevantknowledge adware, 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.

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing PremiereOpinion 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing PremiereOpinion ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the premieropinion or relevantknowledge adware, 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

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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on premieropinion or relevantknowledge adware 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.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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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
PremierOpinion or RelevantKnowledge adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of PremierOpinion or RelevantKnowledge adware on your mobile device.
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