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Surf and Keep virus

Also Known As: Surf and Keep Ads
Type: Adware
Damage level: Moderate

What is Surf and Keep?

The Surf and Keep browser plugin promises to save time and money whilst shopping online. This browser add-on automatically scans for coupons, deals, and promotions, providing online shoppers with the benefit of comparison and enabling them to purchase products and services that suit their budgets.

Note that while such functionality may seem legitimate, many Internet users refer to Surf and Keep as a virus or malware. These negative associations are made since this browser plugin installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent, and furthermore, the add-on generates intrusive coupon and deals ads.

Unwilling installation of this extension is caused by deceptive free software download websites, which employ 'download clients' to monetize their free services.

Surf and keep virus

Computer users who download free software often do not pay close enough attention to the downloading and installation phases, and thus, inadvertently install various potentially unwanted applications, including Surf and Keep.

Installation of this adware causes diminished browser performance, intrusive coupon ads, and may lead to privacy issues since this plugin tracks users' browsing habits. If you observe ads by Surf and Keep, you are advised to eliminate this adware infection from your Internet browser/s.

Surf and Keep is similar to other adware distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', including, for example, KozakaScorpion Saver, amongst many others. To protect your Internet browsers from these potentially unwanted applications, users should be attentive when downloading and installing free software.

If your download is managed by a download client, opt-out of installation of advertised browser extensions by clicking the 'decline' button. When installing the downloaded program, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any suggested installation of bundled browser plugins.

Below is a screenshot of a free software 'installer' used to distribute Surf and keep adware:

Surf and keep installer

Note how developers of this freeware hide the 'decline' button, which can be used to opt-out of installation of Surf and Keep adware. If you have unwillingly installed this potentially unwanted application, use the removal guide provided to eliminate it from your Internet browser/s.

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Quick menu:

Surf and Keep 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.

Surf and keep adware uninstall

In the uninstall programs window, look for "ss helper" and "ssurf andd keep", select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling Surf and Keep, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. Recommended malware removal software.

Remove Surf and Keep from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Surf and keep from Internet Explorer step 1

Click on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "ssurf andd keep" and disable it.

Removing Surf and keep from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the surf and keep ads, 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 logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Surf and keep 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 on "Extensions". Locate: "ssurf andd keep", select it and click the trash can icon.

Removing Surf and keep from Google Chrome step 2

If the Surf and Keep extension is greyed-out and you cannot remove it ("This extension is managed and cannot be removed or disabled"), please follow this removal guide - how to remove a managed Google Chrome extension?

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the surf and keep ads, 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 logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Surf and keep from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click on the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and disable this add-on: "ssurf andd keep".

Removing Surf and keep from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with surf and keep ads 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 surf and keep ads, 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.

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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.

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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
Surf and Keep Ads QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Surf and Keep Ads on your mobile device.
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