SIV Adware

What is SIV?

SIV is a deceptive application that typically infiltrates systems without users’ permission. Immediately following infiltration, SIV delivers intrusive advertisements and gathers various sensitive information relating to web browsing habits. Therefore, SIV is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Immediately after infiltration, SIV delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other intrusive ads using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, they might redirect to malicious sites or execute scripts that stealthily download/install malware. Clicking them can lead to high-risk computer infections. It is also important to note that SIV records user-system information relating to browsing habits.

Collected data (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people misuse private information to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, SIV adware must be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SIV
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

SIV shares many similarities with many other adware-type applications, such as Yubby, ProfileBlurrer, and Smart Application Controller. By offering "useful features", these programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.

Be aware, however, that adware-type applications have just one purpose - to generate revenue for the developers and deliver no real value for regular users. Adware delivers intrusive ads and gathers various information, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did SIV install on my computer?

As mentioned above, SIV typically infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate this adware using the "bundling" method and the aforementioned intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps.

Developers hide "bundled" programs within "Custom/Advanced" options of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are likely to rush these procedures and skip steps.

In addition, they click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs such as SIV.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by potentially unwanted programs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, but most lead to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) If you encounter these ads, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. In doing so, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Third party software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Third party downloaders/installers are monetized by promoting ("bundling") PUPs, thus these tools are dubious and should not be used.

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with SIV, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Deceptive free software installer distributing SIV adware:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is SIV?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SIV application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SIV adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SIV ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SIV' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SIV extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SIV 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 "SIV", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove SIV adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, SIV 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 siv, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by siv, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by siv 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 siv, 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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