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Ads by Win Guard

Also Known As: Win Guard adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Win Guard?

Win Guard is identical to previous variants, Safe Browsing and Browsing Secure. According to the developers, Win Guard protects the system from various malicious attacks - "Win Guard This browser application is designed to secure your browser, while surfing the internet".

Initially, this functionality may seem useful, however, be aware that Win Guard is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). After stealthily infiltrating the system, Win Guard delivers intrusive advertisements and collects various information regarding users' Internet browsing activity.

Win Guard adware

The application employs a virtual layer to generate a wide range of advertisements. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content and any website, and therefore, none of the generated advertisements originate from your visited sites. The third party advertisements conceal underlying web content, thereby diminishing the Internet browsing experience.

Although Win Guard claims to improve system protection, advertisements generated by this PUP can redirect to infectious websites. Thus, clicking them might lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, this application gathers various data that can be personally identifiable including geolocation, language, time-zone, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, type of operating system and browser, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc. This collected data is later shared with third parties and can be misused to generate revenue.

Therefore, having Win Guard installed on your system is risky and may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you eliminate Win Guard immediately.

This adware is identical to the aforementioned PUPs, and also similar to other apps such as Browse Plus, SearchQuest, Fast Media Converter, and 1stBrowser (adware-type applications in general are very similar). These applications claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience simply to give the impression of legitimate and useful software.

In fact, their sole purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. None provide the functionality promised. These applications merely generate intrusive online advertisements and collect private data.

How did Win Guard install on my computer?

Users are able to download this PUP on its official website, however, it is also distributed using deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs with the chosen software). Therefore, it often infiltrates systems without users' permission.

Many users are unaware that apps such as Win Guard are hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. By rushing the download and installation processes, they install PUPs inadvertently and expose their systems to risk of further infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two main steps you should take to prevent installation of adware-type apps. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software - select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and closely analyze each step. Furthermore, decline all offers to install additional applications and opt-out of all programs listed for download/installation.

The key to computer safety is caution. Pay close attention during download and installation of any software.

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Quick menu:

Win Guard adware 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.

Win Guard adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Win Guard ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Win Guard adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Win Guard did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Win Guard ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing Win Guard ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the win guard adware, 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 Win Guard  ads 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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing Win Guard ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the win guard adware, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Win Guard ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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.

Removing Win Guard ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with win guard adware 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 win guard adware, 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.

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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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
Win Guard adware QR code
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