How to uninstall Secure Driver Updater from a computer?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
Secure Driver Updater removal instructions
What is Secure Driver Updater?
Secure Driver Updater is a program that, as its name suggests, is designed to scan the operating system for outdated, old drivers and update them. The problem with this software is that its developers distribute it by using questionable methods. It means that there is a possibility that users who installed Secure Driver Updater on their computers did that unknowingly. Therefore, it is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Secure Driver Updater allows users to scan systems for installed drivers and notifies about outdated drivers. However, it does not allow to update outdated drivers unless users upgrade it to the full version (register it), which is not free. Quite often programs that are categorized as PUAs perform fake scans - they are designed to trick users into thinking that they will be able to fix issues, remove viruses, uninstall unwanted programs, update drivers and/or perform other actions (depending on the program) if they will activate/register those programs. Simply said, developers create such PUAs with a purpose to extract money from unsuspecting users. It is unknown whether Secure Driver Updater is one of these programs, although, it might be. Another issue with PUAs is that developers often distribute them alongside with other apps of this type, for example, adware-type apps, browser hijackers. Adware-type apps are designed to serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other types of advertisements. More often than not these ads, if clicked, open untrustworthy websites or even run scrips designed to download and/or install unwanted apps. Browser hijackers are PUAs that are designed to promote fake search engines (their addresses) by modifying certain browser settings. It is worthwhile to mention that both adware-type apps and browser hijackers tend to be designed to gather various information related to user's browsing habits as well. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites. However, there are PUAs that are capable of accessing sensitive information as well. The problem is that gathered information could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in other ways. Therefore, it is recommended to trust apps like Secure Driver Updater or apps that may be distributed through its installer.
| Name | Secure Driver Updater potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Supposed Functionality | Driver updater |
| Detection Names | Comodo (Malware@#3crkrlpvz9deg), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Jawego.C Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Hoax.Win32.PCFixer.gen), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/Systweak), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
To sum up, PUAs like Secure Driver Updater can be designed to trick users into paying money for their activation/registration by displaying fake scan results, but not all of them are. Either way, it is advised no to trust apps that are distributed by using questionable methods. Some examples of other apps that are categorized as PUAs are ZipConvertAce, FileConvertGiant and Fast!.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
It is common that PUAs are distributed by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". It means that developers include unwanted apps in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers and hope that users will not decline them. Typically, such offers can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of setups. When users download and/or install programs without changing default settings, they often agree with offers to download/and or install additionally included apps as well. Also, unwanted downloads and/or installation can be caused by clicking deceptive ads that that are capable of executing certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
In most cases users can prevent unwanted downloads and/or installations by checking "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options of any download and/or installation setup and declining offers to download and/or install additionally included apps. Also, it can be done by downloading files, programs from official pages and via direct download links. It is because various unofficial, shady websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, installers, etc., can be used to promote, distribute unwanted, potentially unwanted apps. One more way avoid unwanted downloads, installations is by not clicking advertisements that appear on questionable pages. In most cases they are designed to open other untrustworthy websites, although, sometimes they can be designed to cause downloads and/or installations of unwanted apps. If there are any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins already installed on a browser, then they should be removed. The same should be done with programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of Secure Driver Updater application (GIF):
Installation setup of Secure Driver Updater application:
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 Secure Driver Updater?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
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 "Secure Driver Updater" and other 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:
At time of research, Secure Driver Updater did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 secure driver updater potentially unwanted application, 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 plugins 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 secure driver updater potentially unwanted application 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 secure driver updater potentially unwanted application, 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.
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 secure driver updater potentially unwanted application, 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.
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 secure driver updater potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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