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Useful Program Adware

Also Known As: Ads by Useful Program
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Useful Program?

Created by SuperWeb LLC, Useful Program is a dubious browser plug-in claiming to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and other similar features. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Useful Program is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) employed by Useful Program to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Useful Program generates intrusive online advertisements such as banner, coupon, interstitial, search, transitional, pop-up, full-page, etc. These advertisements may lead to further high-risk adware or malware infections.

useful program adware

Additionally, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since various software and hardware information (that may be personally identifiable) is collected. Useful Program records information such as IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, unique identifier numbers, etc.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. SuperWeb LLC (the developers of this plug-in) have released hundreds of rogue applications identical to Useful Program. Box Green, Key Shift, Teal Kitty, and Match Pal are just some examples.

None of these applications are useful to the user. Useful Program and other applications created by this company are developed to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties.

SuperWeb LLC releases them under different names to prevent detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall Useful Program from your Internet browsers.

Research results shows that most adware (including Useful Program) is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com.

Download managers are employed as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of additional programs or browser plug-ins together with the chosen software. Although these promoted applications are said to be '100% legitimate and virus-free', reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To avoid this situation, pay close attention during download of free software and decline any offers to install additional applications.

Furthermore, when installing downloaded programs, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If your computer is infected with Useful Program, read the following removal guide and eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

Useful Program adware installer setup:

useful program adware installer setup

Useful Program adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ads by useful program'):

useful program adware generating intrusive ads sample 1 useful program adware generating intrusive ads sample 2 useful program adware generating intrusive ads sample 3 useful program adware generating intrusive ads sample 4

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Quick menu:

Useful Program 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.

useful program adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Useful Program ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Useful Program adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logo Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Useful Program 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 "Useful Program", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Useful Program ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by useful program, 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 logo Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Useful Program 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 "Extensions". Locate "Useful Program", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing Useful Program ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by useful program, 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 logo Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Useful Program 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 "Useful Program".

Removing Useful Program ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by useful program 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 useful program, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by useful program 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
Ads by Useful Program QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Useful Program on your mobile device.
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