Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

Shopping Helper Smartbar virus removal instructions

What is Shopping Helper?

Created by a company called ReSoft Ltd, the Shopping Helper Smartbar is a browser hijacker. This browser settings-changing adware infiltrates Internet browsers via free software downloads and assigns the browser homepage and default search engine fields to search.snapdo.com. At time of research, this browser hijacker was promoted using a deceptive free software 'download client' developed by DomaIQ. Computer users should be aware that, today, most free software download websites employ download clients - small programs offering installation of advertised browser plug-ins along with the chosen freeware. Users who do not pay close enough attention when downloading freeware can inadvertently install the Shopping Helper Smartbar browser hijacker or other potentially unwanted applications.

Fortunitas Virus removal instructions

What is Fortunitas?

Created by a company called SuperWeb LLC, Fortunitas is a rogue browser add-on claiming to improve users' Internet browsing experience by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and website trust ratings. Although this functionality may seem legitimate, users should be aware that Fortunitas is considered to be adware. The add-on is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. This potentially unwanted application uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install on browsers without users' consent. Following successful installation, Fortunitas generates various types of intrusive advertisements such as text link, banner, search, transitional, interstitial, and full page ads.

Shopathome.com redirect removal instructions

What is Shopathome.com?

The Shopathome.com Toolbar browser add-on claims to enhances users' Internet browsing experience by displaying alerts on coupons when visiting online shopping websites. This plugin is not related to malware or virus infections, however, some Internet users report that it was installed on their Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent. Unwilling installation of this toolbar can be caused by deceptive free software 'download clients' offering installation of free browser plug-ins together with the chosen freeware. Note that some freeware download clients use deceptive tactics to trick Internet users into installing various adware - they a) hide the 'decline' button, which can otherwise be used to opt-out of installing promoted plug-ins, or b) prevent users from downloading software unless they accept installation of promoted browser extensions.

Inbox.com toolbar removal instructions

What is Inbox.com?

The Inbox.com browser hijacker infiltrates Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) through free software downloads. After successful installation, this adware modifies browser settings by assigning the homepage and default search engine fields to inbox.com

Furthermore, this browser hijacker prevents users from rolling back these changes by using a deceptive browser helper object called 'Inbox Toolbar'. While the developers of this browser add-on claim that it makes Internet browsing more productive by providing users with quick Internet searches and easy access to social networking sites, in fact, Inbox Toolbar is useless plugin and categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

Windows Security Master removal instructions

What is Security Master?

Windows Security Master is a fake antivirus program, which reports non existent security infections to scare PC users into believing that their computers are infected with high-risk malware. To remove the supposedly 'detected' security infections, computer users are encouraged to "Activate Ultimate Protection" (purchase a license key for this program). PC users should not trust Windows Security Master - it is a scam created by cyber criminals. Paying for the 'full version' of this program is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals - you will lose your money and your operating system will remain infected with a rogue antivirus program. In fact, none of the security threats identified by this program actually exist on the user's computer.

Ads by Quiknowledge removal instructions

What is Quiknowledge?

The Quiknowledge browser add-on claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by enabling quick searches and translation of selected text or entire paragraphs. While this added functionality may seem legitimate, users should be aware that this plugin is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware, since it infiltrates browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' and also generates intrusive ads. Furthermore, this plugin track users' Internet browsing activity - recording IP addresses, pages visited, frequency of pages viewed, users' browsing environment, display settings, and other information. The presence of Quiknowledge on your system can cause high-risk malware infections (when clicking third party ads generated by this add-on) and can lead to serious privacy issues.

ScanTack Ads removal instructions

What is ScanTack?

Developed by SuperWeb LLC, ScanTack is a rogue browser extension claiming to enhance the quality of users' Internet browsing experience by displaying website trust ratings, suggesting websites with related content, enabling coupons and comparison shopping, and other similar functions. Although ScanTack may seem a legitimate browser extension, users should be aware that it is considered to be adware. This potentially unwanted application installs on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications along with the chosen software). After successful infiltration, ScanTack generates various intrusive advertisements, including interstitial, transitional, text link, banner, search, and full page ads.

Surftastic Ads removal instructions

What is Surftastic?

Developed by SuperWeb LLC, Surftastic is a potentially unwanted browser plug-in claiming to improve the quality of users' Internet browsing experience by displaying websites with related content, website trust ratings, enabling comparison shopping, coupons, and adding other useful functionality. Although Surftastic may seem legitimate, users should be aware that it is categorized as adware. Surftastic uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install on browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent. After successful infiltration, the plug-in generates various types of intrusive advertisements, including transitional, interstitial, text link, search, banner, and full page ads.

SerialTrunc Virus removal instructions

What is SerialTrunc?

The SerialTrunc rogue browser plug-in claims to improve the quality of users' Internet browsing experience by enabling comparison shopping, coupons, website trust ratings, and similar functions. On initial inspection, SerialTrunc may seem a legitimate add-on, however, users should be aware that the plug-in is considered to be adware. Created by SuperWeb LLC, it is optimized for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. SerialTrunc uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed to stealthily install the software on users' browsers. After successful infiltration, the plug-in generates various types of intrusive advertisements including search, banner, text link, interstitial, transitional, and full page ads.

Ads Clever virus removal instructions

What is Ads Clever?

Ads Clever is a potentially unwanted program, which installs together with free software downloaded from the Internet. This program claims to support free software developers by funding their work. The program generates revenue by gathering users' spare computer resources "To make advanced calculations, which are used in various projects". Furthermore, this application claims to help users' to make "Clever" decisions while shopping online by displaying "Highly targeted ads". While these claims may sound legitimate, in fact this is an application designed to generate Bitcoin-mining and intrusive online ads - a function which does not support freeware developers. The Ads Clever program is categorized as adware or a Trojan and provides no real value for the user. Furthermore, this application includes users' computers within 'bitcoin mining networks'. The sole beneficiaries of these mining efforts are the developers of this potentially unwanted program.