Hard Case Adware

What is Hard Case?

Created by SuperWeb LLC, Hard Case claims to improve the Internet browsing experience by enabling various features such as comparison shopping and coupons - "We're passionate about improving web by providing the best tools to enhance the browsing experience, from searching the web to comparing online deals to find the best prices. We've combined all of our great ideas into the Hard Case product suite, a FREE set of tools that work to make your browsing experience... better!".

This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, be aware that hard case is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP). This rogue add-on is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation together with other software).

After installation on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission, Hard Case tracks users' Internet browsing activity and delivers intrusive advertisements.

Information recorded by this adware includes (but is not limited to) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, unique identifier numbers, and so on.

Be aware that this collected data may be personally identifiable, and therefore, the presence of Hard Case on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft. Furthermore, advertisements delivered (banner, pop-up, interstitial, transitional, search, coupon, etc.) often lead to websites containing infectious content, and thus, your computer might become infected.

Hard Case is just one of many applications developed by SuperWeb LLC. This company has released hundreds of identical applications under different names (for example, Metal Maker, New App, and Simple for You) to prevent detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus suites.

None of these applications are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. You are strongly advised to remove Hard Case adware from your system.

Hard Case Privacy Policy statement regarding data collection:

We only share or sell your non-public personal information with non-affiliated third parties when we believe doing so is permitted by you or authorized by this Privacy Policy. In addition, the Company may share your personal information with our parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies without restriction.

Research shows that Hard Case, and other applications developed by SuperWeb LLC, are distributed on freeware download websites such as instance, soft32.com, softonic.com, and download.com.

These websites employ small programs called 'download managers', which are supposed to ease the download process, however, they are developed to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by including additional applications together with the users' chosen free software.

This situation can be avoided by closely analysing each step of the freeware download procedure and unchecking all additionally-included applications.

Furthermore, install downloaded applications using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to cancel them.

If you have installed Hard Case, and you observe intrusive online advertisements while surfing the Internet, the following removal guide will help you to remove this adware from your system.

Hard Case adware installer set-up:

Hard Case adware generating intrusive online ads (marked as 'Ads by Hard Case'):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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 Hard Case?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Hard Case application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Hard Case adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Hard Case ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Hard Case' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Hard Case ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Hard Case adware removal:

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 "Hard Case", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Hard Case ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Hard Case adware 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 "Hard Case", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by hard case, 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate: "Hard Case", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by hard case, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Hard Case".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by hard case 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 ads by hard case, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by hard case or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion