Do not trust the "2020 Web Research Survey" scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is the "2020 Web Research Survey" scam?
"2020 Web Research Survey" is a scam promoted on deceptive websites. This scheme claims that people can win a complimentary reward if they complete a short survey. Rather than receiving the promised rewards, however, users are redirected to other scam sites.
During research, the scheme redirected to various phishing websites, which steal personal information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, emails, credit card details, etc. These sites might also request users to make fake shipping, registration, subscription fees, or similar payments.
Few users access deceptive/scam websites intentionally - most are redirected to them by intrusive ads or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already installed on the system.
When a website running the "2020 Web Research Survey" scam is entered, it presents visitors with a pop-up window stating that they have been selected to receive a prize worth over US$70 (USD). To qualify, they are instructed to complete a short and anonymous marketing survey.
The questionnaire consists of five questions: how often users browse the web; which social network they use the most; where they access the internet most, and; their gender. After this survey is finished and the "Claim Reward" button is clicked, users are redirected to a phishing site.
Therefore, trusting "2020 Web Research Survey" or other similar scams can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
As mentioned, PUAs can cause redirects to various scam web pages, however, they can also force-open sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised and malicious pages. These unwanted applications also have other capabilities. They can deliver intrusive advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.), which significantly diminish the browsing experience.
Furthermore, when clicked, the ads redirect to similarly harmful sites and can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Other PUAs can modify browsers, limit/deny access to their settings to promote fake search engines. Most of these unwanted apps can track data.
They monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit.
To summarize, PUAs can cause system infiltration and infections, and lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, you are advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
| Name | 2020 Web Research Survey pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Scam claims users can win a reward. |
| Related Domains | visitorfeedback2020[.]com |
| Serving IP Address (visitorfeedback2020[.]com) |
144.202.55.201 |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"Dear user, congratulations!", "Dear YouTube user, Congratulations!", and "Congratulations Walmart shopper!" are some examples of other scams similar to "2020 Web Research Survey". These online schemes operate by making false claims to trick users into performing specific actions.
Popular scam models include: fake prize giveaways, "amazing" offers and deals, alerts that an important piece of software is outdated or missing, warnings that they system is infected, and so on. Regardless of what claims/requests they make, these scams have but one purpose - to generate revenue for the scammers behind them.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions. Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system.
Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements also proliferate these apps. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer likewise dubious content.
When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads often seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "2020 Web Research Survey" scam:
Pop-up:
2020 Web Research Survey
Congratulations !
You have been selected to get a complimentary reward!
In order to qualify, just complete a 30-second anonymous marketing survey, and to say thank you for providing valuable consumer feedback, you'll be able to claim one or more rewards worth over $70!
Thank you!
Start Survey
-------------------
Questions:
1. How often do you use the Internet to do research or shopping ?
2. Which social network do you use most often ?
3. Where are you accessing the internet from ?
4. What do you use the internet for the most?
5. Lastly, are you a Male or Female?
Screenshots of websites "2020 Web Research Survey" scam redirects to:
The appearance of "2020 Web Research Survey" pop-up scam (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is "2020 Web Research Survey"?
- 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 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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 2020 web research survey pop-up, 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 2020 web research survey pop-up, 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 2020 web research survey pop-up 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 2020 web research survey pop-up, 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 2020 web research survey pop-up from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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