How to uninstall the Abrasive potentially unwanted application

What is the Abrasive PUA?

Abrasive is endorsed as a tool for running operating system diagnostics and fixing various issues. It is supposedly capable of improving device operation speed and removing registry errors. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, Abrasive is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Dubious distribution techniques are often used for normal and operational software, however, they are mostly used to proliferate untrusted content. Despite their legitimate appearance, PUAs are seldom operational. To elaborate, some PUAs (e.g. fake anti-virus and system optimization tools) require activation/purchase to perform their advertised functionality.

Even after purchase, however, this software usually remains nonoperational. Additionally, PUAs can have dangerous capabilities. They can force-open sale-based/promotional, rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious sites. Adware-type unwanted apps run intrusive advertisement campaigns.

This kind enable the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive ads on any visited web page. The ads diminish the browsing experience and, once clicked, redirect to dubious/malicious websites. Some can stealthily download/install rogue software.

Another type (browser hijackers) modify browser settings to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers are seldom capable of providing search results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine search engines. Furthermore, most PUAs (regardless of type) have data tracking capabilities.

Typically, these applications monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The gathered data is likely to contain personally identifiable information, which PUA developers monetize by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To protect device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Abrasive potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application).
Supposed Functionality	System speed optimization and error removal.
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.34192273), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/UwS.RegProtech.B), Kaspersky (HEUR:Hoax.MSIL.DeceptPCClean.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance.
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.

System Care Pro, Perfect Optimizer, RocketFixio and PC Win Booster are some examples of PUAs similar to Abrasive. Users are often enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionality, ranging from system cleaning/optimization to easy access tools.

In fact, the features promised are seldom operational. The sole purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value and instead experience serious issues. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and collect private data.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Certain PUAs (including Abrasive) have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded, however, they are more commonly downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive ads proliferate these apps as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products must be researched prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Download from official and verified sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, check the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of Abrasive application (GIF):

Installation setup of Abrasive application:

Website promoting Abrasive application:

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 Abrasive?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Removal of potentially unwanted applications:

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 "Abrasive" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Abrasive did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.

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 abrasive potentially unwanted application, 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 abrasive potentially unwanted application, 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 abrasive potentially unwanted application 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 abrasive potentially unwanted application, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on abrasive potentially unwanted application or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion