How to uninstall the Gdiview unwanted program?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Gdiview removal instructions
What is Gdiview?
Gdiview is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that developers distribute via questionable page (possibly multiple pages). It is unknown what exactly is the purpose of the Gdiview app, however, it is very likely that users who would install this app, would install some adware, browser hijacker or PUA of other type too. Apps of this type are called PUAs because it is not common for them to be downloaded and installed by users intentionally.
Research shows that Gdiview installs with some app named "d8yl+Hf7rX" and adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Chrome browsers. It is not known what the aforementioned app (as well as Gdiview) does, although, it is likely that it is some adware-type app or a browser hijacker. Apps that are classified as adware generate various advertisements (e.g., coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads) that could be designed to promote shady pages or download (or even install) some unwanted software by running certain scripts. Apps that are classified as browser hijackers promote fake search engines. They change browser settings like the address of a default search engine, homepage and/or new tab to an address of some fake search engine and to not allow to undo any of those changes unless users uninstall them.
Additionally, it is common for both adware-type apps and browser hijackers to collect browsing data. For example, entered search queries, IP addresses, addresses of visited sites, geolocations. Although, in some cases such apps could be designed to gather sensitive, personal details as well. The biggest issue with it is that gathered data could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or monetized in other ways. It means that there is a risk for users of apps of this type to encounter problems like identity theft, issues related to online privacy, web browsing safety.
| Name | Gdiview unwanted application |
| Threat Type | Adware, browser hijacker |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Babar.23607), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.EXPE), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-PSW.Win64.Convagent.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AA9C), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | "Managed by your organization" feature added on a browser, appearing intrusive pop-up ads, decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Additional Information | One of the apps that Gdiview gets installed with it is called d8yl+Hf7rX |
| Distribution Methods | Untrustworthy websites, Peer-to-Peer networks, other unreliable sources |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
Some examples of adware-type apps and browser hijackers are PBlocker+, Movie Finder, WizardUpdate, RadioFanaticSearch and LiveRadioSearch. Usually even if apps of this type are advertised as useful - they are not, at least not to their users. As mentioned, in the introduction, most of the times users download PUAs unknowingly.
How did adware install on my computer?
One of the popular ways to distribute PUAs is to include them in download and/or installation setup of other software. Such offers usually can be found and declined by using "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or some checkboxes of a setup. When users download and/or install software without changing the aforementioned settings, they download and/or install offered unwanted apps as well. Another way to trick users into downloading, or even installing PUAs is by designing deceptive to execute certain scripts. Although, it works only if users click those ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Files and apps should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Unofficial websites, third party downloaders or installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), etc., can be used for distribution of unwanted, even malicious apps. Download and/or installation setups that have settings like "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" should be always checked for unwanted offers and those offers should be declined. Ads on dubious pages should not be clicked, those ads could be designed to open untrustworthy websites or cause undesired downloads, installations. Unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. The same applies to apps of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Website used for Gdiview distribution:
"Managed by your organization" feature added on Chrome:
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
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 Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is Gdiview?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
Adware removal:
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 potentially unwanted applications (like "gdiview"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes Gdiview 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:
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 "d8yl+Hf7rX" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gdiview 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(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.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with gdiview 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 gdiview 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 gdiview 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 gdiview unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on gdiview unwanted application or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
Click to post a comment