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Outobox Virus

Also Known As: Outobox Ads
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is OutoBox?

The OutoBox browser add-on is developed by Super Web LLC. The plugin claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by enabling easy multiple site searches and displaying website ratings. Whilst such added functionality may seem legitimate, in fact, the OutoBox add-on is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware.

Super Web LLC, the company responsible for this plugin, release numerous browser extensions with identical functionality under different names in order to avoid detection by antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

Outobox virus homepage

To distribute these rogue extensions, Super Web LLC uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', thus, users commonly install this plugin without their consent together with free software downloaded from the Internet. At time of research, Outobox was distributed via a 'download client' employed by the free software download website, download.com

Today, most freeware download websites use download clients to monetize their free download services. Download clients are small programs, which manage the downloading process of the chosen free software and are also used to monetize process by offering installation of advertised browser plugins.

Whilst Outobox is not a virus or malware, you are advised to eliminate it from your Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), since it causes unwanted ads and can lead to privacy issues.

After installation, OutoBox generates various unwanted ads including search, banner, text link, transitional, interstitial, and full page advertisements. Moreover, it tracks Internet browsing habits by recording IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, operating systems, browser information, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, and other information.

Previous variants of this adware were named Spring SmartSkyWebberBatBrowse, amongst many others. To avoid installation of such potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), carefully check each step when downloading free software. If you are encouraged to install browser add-ons, opt-out of installation by clicking the 'decline' button.

When installing downloaded programs, choose the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any intended installation of bundled browser extensions. If you observe "Ads by OutoBox", "Powered by OutoBox", or "OutoBox Deals" advertisements when browsing the Internet, use the removal instructions provided to eliminate this adware from your Internet browser/s.

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Quick menu:

OutoBox 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.

Outobox uninstall

In the uninstall programs window, look for "OutoBox", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove OutoBox from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Outobox removal from Internet Explorer extensions 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 "OutoBox" and disable it.

Outobox removal from Internet Explorer extensions step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the outobox 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:

Outobox removal from Google Chrome extensions 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: "OutoBox", select it and click the trash can icon.

Outobox removal from Google Chrome extensions step 2

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

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the outobox 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:

Outobox removal from Mozilla Firefox extensions 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: "OutoBox".

Outobox removal from Mozilla Firefox extensions step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with outobox 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 outobox 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.

Post a comment:
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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.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
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
Outobox Ads QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Outobox Ads on your mobile device.
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