The main purpose of this blog is helping you to fight web browser infections, but it is always better to prevent trouble. FInd out how to protect your web browser.
Legitimate Trouble
Don’t be surprised by the fact that most of “web browser infections” are caused by legitimate extensions, or BHO (browser helper objects) that are designed to display ads and rogue search pages stuffed with promoted links. Such programs help to run an attractive business of making money out of mouse clicks.
Barely one would willingly install programs that help to waste time and internet traffic. So, adware distributors use deceptive ways for installing unwanted programs. Bundling is one of these ways. Free program developers and distributors are paid for adware being installed along with popular content, and unwanted programs are automatically installed unless discovered and rejected by a user.
The process of installing adware is like a “hide and seek” game, and this game is still considered to be legitimate.
Sorry. There is no warning that you just cannot miss. Any information about components and programs being installed is sufficient if present as it comes to legal matters. You have to know that your web browser will be infected with unwanted stuff unless you discover and reject optional program before installing a program or update that you download.
Suspicion and attentive investigation are your best weapons against deceptively installed adware that is wide-spread threat to your web browser and for you.
Lack of attention to details involved in the software installation process implies your consent.
If you are installing programs in a hurry, your web browser might be infected with adware and commercial browser hijackers often called search redirect viruses.
How to Protect Your Web Browser Against Deceptively Installed Programs?
If you are careful and attentive from the day of your birth, then:
- Always read EULA and labels placed near marked check boxes present in download clients and setup wizards.
- If you see “typical” and “custom” installation options, always chose the second one, look at the list of installed components, and disable suspicious stuff.
- If you see options that say “accept” and “reject“, then click “reject” unless you have time to find more information about bundled programs. It is very likely that such an offer is for adware or browser hijacker that will redirect your search to someone’s “private money-making search engine”.
If you are not born for care to details and patience, then:
- Change your ways, and/or…
- Use anti-malware program in addition to anti-virus software installed on your computer.
Anti-virus software protects your computer against viruses and other malicious programs that might hurt your system.
Anti-malware (or anti-spyware) software protects you against malicious and legitimate programs that might hurt you.
Note: Anti-virus and anti-malware features often overlap, but do no mistake. Neither one can replace both yet. As an example, anti-virus products respect legitimacy, and most of adware programs and tracking cookies are legitimate. Anti-malware software helps to stop adware and other legitimate programs dangerous to your security and privacy, but it cannot protect your computer against attacks targeted at the system root level. So, you need both for a reliable protection.
How to Get Rid of Web Browser Infections?
If you use security software mentioned above and always keep it up to date, then you probably will never have any problem related to adware or redirect viruses.
If your web browser is already infected, then:
- Look at the sidebar, find a needed guide, and remove unwanted stuff.
- Click “List of Adware” in menu, compare your program list with the list of wide-spread adware, and uninstall programs with matching names. Any of guides will fit for this purpose if you adjust it for a program’s name.
This blog is a new one. I can quickly grow the list of adware, but removal guides are different matter. I have to write them first. So, I might link you to different web sources that help people with removing adware if a needed removal guide is absent on this blog. Stay in touch.
Keep your security software current and try to always be a winner in a “hide and seek game” that is run by adware distributors.
My Browser is Infected 