GeoByPass Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GeoByPass?
GeoByPass is a rogue application that supposedly allows users to access various websites that are blocked in their countries. This functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, GeoByPass is distributed using the "bundling" method and, thus, often infiltrates systems without users' consent.
Furthermore, this application generates intrusive online advertisements and continually gathers information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, GeoByPass is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.
GeoByPass uses a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar ads. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed advertisements often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, some lead to malicious websites containing infectious content. Thus, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside of this app is information tracking.
GeoByPass records Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geo-locations), website URLs visited, pages viewed, queries entered into search engines, and other similar browsing-related data. Be aware that this information might be personally identifiable and shared by developers of GeoByPass with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Research shows that these criminals often attempt to generate revenue by misusing personal information. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues. You are strongly advised to uninstall GeoByPass adware immediately.
This PUP is very similar to Counterflix, TopFlix, DNS Unlocker, Ghostify, and a number of other rogue adware-type apps. Note that all adware offers features to significantly enhance the Internet browsing experience, however, most are useless for regular users. In fact, adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Claims to enable 'useful functionality' are merely attempts to trick users to install. Apps such as GeoByPass generate intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and collect private data (which is later sold to third parties).
How did GeoByPass install on my computer?
GeoByPass has an official download website, however, developers also distribute this application using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of PUPs with regular (usually free) software.
Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of download/installation processes, since they are aware that users often rush these procedures and skip most steps. This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of rogue software such as GeoByPass.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious during the download/installation processes. Closely analyze each step using the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Furthermore, cancel all additionally-included programs. Bundled applications are often classed as rogue and, thus, should never be installed.
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Quick menu:
- What is GeoByPass?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GeoByPass application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GeoByPass adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GeoByPass ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GeoByPass' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GeoByPass ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GeoByPass 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 "GeoByPass", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes GeoByPass ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GeoByPass adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, GeoByPass 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:
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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by geobypass, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by geobypass, 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 plug-ins 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by geobypass 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 geobypass, 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.
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