Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Complete an Offer to Unlock Your Desktop?

"Complete an offer below to unlock your desktop" is a ransomware infection used by cyber criminals to coerce PC users into taking online surveys, thus making money from dubious affiliate networks.

This ransomware infection differs from others distributed - standard ransomware infections exploit the names of authorities (such as the FBI, Interpol, Federal Department, etc.), demanding payment of bogus fines for supposed law violations.

"Complete an offer to unlock your desktop", however, is a new approach to ransomware infections. This scam blocks computer users' desktops and attempts to coerce them into taking up online offers.

What is Search.iMesht.net?

iMesh is a P2P program that enables users to download songs and videos. Redirects to search.imesh.com are also caused by BearShare freeware. iMesh is legitimate software used by many computer users worldwide, however, the downside of this free program is the adware bundled with its installer.

By default, each user electing to install iMesh will also install a search-results toolbar and have their Internet browser default homepage modified to search.imesh.net Note that users can opt out of these potentially unwanted installations and homepage changes, though unfortunately, many users do not pay close enough attention at the installation phase.

What is CouponBar toolbar?

The CouponBar Toolbar browser add-on supposedly enhances the Internet browsing experience by displaying coupon deals on Internet shopping websites, thus allowing users to save money whilst buying online.

The toolbar alone is not related to malware or spyware infections, however, it is promoted using free software and is commonly installed on users' systems without their consent.

This categorizes CouponBar as an unwanted browser extension. When installed on Internet browsers, this browser add-on not only displays coupon deals, but also changes the default homepage to search.coupons.com

What is MyBrowserBar toolbar?

The MyBrowserBar toolbar (an Internet browser extension) is promoted using popular free software. This toolbar is legitimate and not related to malware or spyware infections, however, computer users commonly install this toolbar inadvertently and without their consent.

This situation occurs when computer users do not pay close attention during installation of free software downloaded from the Internet. This method of bundling free browser add-ons and toolbars is common and used by developers for monetization purposes.

The following are some popular free software packages that bundle the MyBrowserBar Toolbar with their programs: YTD Video Downloaders (allows users to download videos from YouTube), Pdfforge (software used to create PDF documents), dealio (coupon savings-related add-on), IObit (security and registry cleaner software), Vuze (bittorrent client), etc.

What is Department of Justice?

The United States Department of Justice message - "Your computer has been blocked" is a scam - a ransomware infection that should not be trusted. The Department of Justice do not send messages such as this - they are created by Cyber criminals in order to trick unsuspecting PC users into paying a bogus 100 Euro fine for supposedly committing law violations.

This deceptive message blocks computer users' screens, stating the screen lock was applied due to users allegedly watching pornography (involving children under 18 years), downloading copyrighted content, etc. To further scare PC users into paying this bogus fine, cyber criminals employ graphics from legitimate authorities and imitate video recordings.

Moreover, the latest versions of ransomware infections (including the Department of Justice virus) use sound recordings within the deceptive message - another intimidation tactic used by cyber criminals. If you see this type of message blocking your computer screen, you are dealing with a ransomware infection. Do not pay the 100 Euro (or $300) fine.

Adoresearch.com - how to remove redirects to this website caused by fTalk adware?

What is Adoresearch.com?

The Adoresearch.com website is promoted via browser add-ons and free software. Commonly, Internet users visit this website when their Internet browser settings are modified to redirect to it. Computer users have complained recently that redirects to adoresearch.com/431 occur after installing fTalk, a free FaceBook chat client. fTalk is free software that enables users to access FaceBook chat without opening their Internet browsers, and also to use emoticons and update their status. This program is not related to malware or virus infections, however, its deceptive monetization methods (redirects to adoresearch.com, unwanted toolbar installation [searchqu], and default search engine modifications to search-results.com) make this program an unwanted application.

Blekko toolbar - how to eliminate browser redirects to blekko.com?

What is Blekko toolbar?

The Blekko search engine aims to be a spam-free search results provider. This is a community-based search engine, which attempts to fight spam results in search engines and features its own crawler and human review process. This website and associated search engine are not malicious and are unrelated to malware or virus infections, however, some computer users complain that they are redirected to Blekko.com unwillingly. Redirect problems such as this are related to installation of the Blekko toolbar. This browser plug-in modifies computer users' Internet browser settings and changes the homepage and default search engine to blekko.com

Xfinity toolbar - how to eliminate browser redirects to xfinity.comcast.net?

What is Xfinity toolbar?

The XFinity toolbar is a browser add-on created by Comcast. This is a browser extension that enables quick access to email, voicemail, Xfinity TV, and other features used by Xfinity high speed Internet customers. This browser add-on is not related to malware or virus infections, however, it is categorized as an unwanted application due to recent user complains. These state that this toolbar was installed on their Internet browsers without consent and that they receive unwanted coupon ads. When installed, Xfinity toolbar changes the Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla FireFox) default homepage to xfinity.comcast.net and the default search engine to search.comcast.net (this change can be 'opted out' during the toolbar installation phase).

DropinSavings - how to remove coupon ads caused by this browser plug-in?

What is DropinSavings?

The DropinSavings browser extension displays various deals and coupons in real time whilst browsing in online shopping websites. This browser plug-in is not related to virus or malware infections, however, many computer users report that the add-on was installed on their computer without their consent. This situation is caused by dubious advertising strategies. The DropinSavings plug-in often installs on users' systems when installing free software or other free browser plug-ins. Many free software developers bundle their programs with browser plug-ins similar to DropinSavings for monetization purposes.

Privacy SafeGuard - how to remove this adware?

What is Privacy SafeGuard?

The Privacy SafeGuard browser add-on claims to protect users' privacy whilst surfing the Internet. It is developed to work with Google Chrome, and while its initiative to protect Internet users from privacy issues is valid, this browser plug-in has some downsides. For example, it displays unwanted ads that computer users may find difficult to remove. Moreover, it is unclear which company is responsible for developing and supporting this product. If computer users wish to protect their computers and browsers from potential threats, they should opt for trusted browser plug-ins products such as WOT, SiteAdvisor, and BrowserDefender.