You've Made The 5-billionth Search POP-UP Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"You've Made The 5-billionth Search" removal instructions
What is "You've Made The 5-billionth Search"?
"You've Made The 5-billionth Search" is a scam, which is a part of another scam called "You Have Won A Google Gift" and is distributed through a deceptive website. People commonly visit websites of this type unintentionally - they are redirected to them by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on their computers or web browsers. In summary, these applications cause unwanted redirects to untrustworthy websites. Furthermore, they usually collect data and feed users with intrusive advertisements.
The main purpose of the "You've Made The 5-billionth Search" scam is to trick people into believing that they were selected as winners of a 5-billionth search query. At time of research, scammers behind this scam cite a (probably non-existent) person called Brad Jenkins from Brussels as the last winner who supposedly won a Samsung KU6179 Ultra HD TV on 14.05.2018. This deceptive website declares every visitor to be the next winner. It displays three "CHOOSE" buttons that allow visitors to choose one of three hidden prizes. It states that anyone who takes this opportunity will also be entered into a 'Hall of Fame' and will receive a winner's certificate. Scammers behind the "You've Made The 5-billionth Search" scam also urge people to take action (claim their prize) within 15 minutes, otherwise the offer no longer applies. If one of the buttons is clicked, this deceptive website opens a pop-up window, which displays information about which prize the visitor has been qualified to win. In our example, the prize was an iPhone X. There is a screenshot of this pop-up window below. There are two options given: to accept a chance to win or close the page. It is very likely that by accepting, people will be asked to provide various details (as part of surveys, and so on). We advise against accepting any offers that are displayed on deceptive websites. The best option is to simply close these websites. If they cannot be closed normally, we recommend that you use Task Manager and end the entire browser process. Note, however, that the closed session should not be restored, since this will return you to the same site, or another web page that leads to it.
As mentioned in our introduction, potentially unwanted applications force people to visit dubious websites designed to promote scams, however, they also feed users with intrusive ads. PUAs deliver coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys, and so on. It is impossible for these ads to go unnoticed, since they are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they conceal underlying content of visited websites. Furthermore, if clicked, they often redirect to untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites. In some cases, they run scripts designed to download/install even more (additional) unwanted applications. Another negative side of having PUAs installed is that they gather data. For example, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, and so on. There is a strong possibility that personal, sensitive details might also be collected. All data is collected with the purpose to share it with third parties who misuse private information to generate revenue. Note that some of these parties might be cyber criminals. Thus, having these apps installed might can lead to problems with the privacy, browsing safety, or can even result in identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall all installed unwanted applications immediately.
| Name | "You've Made The 5-billionth Search" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of one's computer. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
"Dear Browser User", "Comcast Cable Communications Congratulations", and "$1000 VISA Gift Card" are just a few examples of other scams that operate in a similar manner to "You've Made The 5-billionth Search". They are used by scammers who attempt to extort money from innocent people or to extract personal details. The main purpose of scammers who employ these scams is to generate revenue. The aforementioned PUAs are all very similar. They are promoted as useful and legitimate, however, once installed, they deliver none of the functions promised and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Potentially unwanted applications can sometimes be downloaded from their official websites, however, people usually install them unintentionally through clicked intrusive advertisements or when a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" is used. Developers use this method to trick people into installing unwanted applications together with other chosen software. In most cases, PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" (and other similar) options/settings of the installation (or download) set-ups. Information regarding the inclusion of PUAs is usually not properly disclosed. Furthermore, many users skip software installation/download steps an click various advertisements, thus causing inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Careless behaviour is usually the reason for problems relating to online, browsing safety and privacy. Therefore, browse the internet and download and install software carefully. Do not download software from unofficial, untrustworthy websites, using Peer-to-Peer networks, third party downloaders, or other similar channels/tools. Check all available "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options when installing or downloading software. Note that cyber criminals invest considerable time and money into design of their advertisements. Therefore, most seem legitimate. In fact, they often lead to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and other similar untrustworthy, potentially malicious sites. If you experience unwanted redirects to dubious websites, check all extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins that are installed on your browser and remove any suspicious, unwanted entries. Also make sure that there are no programs of this kind on the list of installed programs on your computer. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "You've Made The 5-billionth Search" pop-up:
You've made the 5-billionth search.
You were evaluated as the winner of today's 5-billionth search query a few minutes ago by our system!
Our last winner was Brad Jenkins from Brussels, Belgium, who won a Samsung KU6179 Ultra HD TV on 14.05.2018 with his 5-billionth Search.
We are proud to announce that you are our next winner.
Every time the 5-billionth search is reached, we proclaim a winner and reset the counter.
You may choose one of three hidden prizes below. In addition, you will be entered in our Hall of Fame and receive a winner's certificate.
Behind every blue cup is a prize. Click on a prize cup to uncover it.
For technical reasons, we are not allowed to keep your invitation open for more than 15 minutes. Choose one of the prizes below and follow the instructions on your screen.
The appearance of "You've Made The 5-billionth Search" (GIF):
Screenshot of a pop-up window that appears when the "CHOOSE" button is clicked:
Another variant of this scam (it now says that the user has made a "7.38-billionth search"):
Text presented within this page:
You've made the 7.38-billionth search!
Congratulations! You are the lucky winner!
Every 10 millionth search is reached worldwide, we will proclaim a winner to send out a thank-you gift.
Please select your lucky prize below and claim it by following the instruction.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is "You've Made The 5-billionth Search"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:
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.
Mac OSX users:
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.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" 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".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you've made the 5-billionth search" virus, 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you've made the 5-billionth search" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "you've made the 5-billionth search" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you've made the 5-billionth search" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, 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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove "you've made the 5-billionth search" virus from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!