How to remove MegatheriumAmericanum malicious extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is MegatheriumAmericanum?
During an investigation of an installer obtained from an unreliable website, we discovered a malicious extension named MegatheriumAmericanum. Our analysis uncovered concerning features, including its ability to activate the "Managed by your organization" setting within the Chrome browser, access user data, and control various browser components.
MegatheriumAmericanum in detail
Once added, MegatheriumAmericanum enables the "Managed by your organization" feature in the Chrome browser. This feature primarily intended for use in enterprise environments. It allows organizations and administrators to have centralized control over various browser settings and policies on the devices used within their network.
While the "Managed by your organization" feature offers significant advantages for enterprise environments, it can be a concern when malicious extensions like MegatheriumAmericanum gain access to it, as it allows them to exert control over browser settings without the user's consent or knowledge.
Malicious apps like MegatheriumAmericanum can exploit the "Managed by your organization" feature to make unauthorized changes to browser settings, add other malicious extensions, manipulate security policies, collect user data, establish persistence, redirect to phishing sites, and inject unwanted advertisements.
Furthermore, MegatheriumAmericanum possesses the ability to make unauthorized alterations to themes and extensions without the user's awareness or consent. This includes actions like enabling or disabling extensions, replacing themes, and modifying elements such as colors, backgrounds, and the overall appearance of the browser.
Moreover, MegatheriumAmericanum possesses the capacity to read and change data on all visited web pages. Thus, MegatheriumAmericanum could gather data from visited pages, including personal information, login credentials, browsing history, and other details. Also, it may modify the contents of entered websites for malicious purposes.
Finally, the malicious installer distributing MegatheriumAmericanum also bundles the Chromstera web browser and potentially other dubious apps, like adware or browser hijackers.
Name | MegatheriumAmericanum unwanted application |
Threat Type | Malicious Extension |
Detection Names (Installer) | Avast (Gridinsoft), Full List (VirusTotal) |
Symptoms | The "Managed by your organization" feature is activated in Chrome browser, Chromstera browser is installed, your computer becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
Distribution methods | Dubious websites, malicious installers, deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
To sum up, MegatheriumAmericanum is a malicious browser extension with a range of alarming functionalities. Its ability to read various data, alter browser settings, themes, and extensions without user permission can result in compromised browsing experiences, privacy violations, and security risks.
Some examples of applications similar to MegatheriumAmericanum are DromaiusNovaehollandiae, Cirrostratus, and MacropusRufus.
How did unwanted software install on my computer?
MegatheriumAmericanum is distributed through a malicious installer that is found on untrustworthy pages. Users inadvertently introduce this extension into their browsers when they install software using that installer.
When users download free software from the internet, some installers may include additional applications. Users may unintentionally install these extras if they do not change the installation options (settings like "Advanced", "Custom", or similar).
In other scenarios, users might cause unwanted installation when interacting with deceptive pop-up notifications, software updates, online advertisements, etc.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
To thwart unintentional installations of undesired applications, individuals should adopt a cautious approach when acquiring software, steer clear of dubious advertisements, websites, and links, ensure their operating system and software have the latest security updates, employ trusted antivirus software, and periodically inspect their list of installed applications and browser extensions.
If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The page hosting the installer containing MegatheriumAmericanum:
MegatheriumAmericanum app details:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is MegatheriumAmericanum?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove unwanted extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Unwanted software 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 any unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove unwanted software from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "MegatheriumAmericanum" and other suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the megatheriumamericanum 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with megatheriumamericanum 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 megatheriumamericanum 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can MegatheriumAmericanum cause?
The presence of MegatheriumAmericanum in your browser can result in a range of issues, including breaches of privacy, seizures of browser control, diminished system performance, heightened security vulnerabilities, the display of intrusive advertisements, and other associated concerns.
What does MegatheriumAmericanum do?
It is known that MegatheriumAmericanum is designed to access and manipulate data on all visited websites, manage extensions and themes, and enable the "Managed by your organization" setting in Chrome browsers.
How do MegatheriumAmericanum developers generate revenue?
The creators of MegatheriumAmericanum might be collecting data to sell it to third parties or use it for other purposes. Furthermore, they may engage in affiliate programs and promote fake search engines.
Will Combo Cleaner remove MegatheriumAmericanum?
Combo Cleaner performs thorough scans and efficiently eliminates unwanted and malicious programs. Utilizing Combo Cleaner for the removal of unwanted software is advised because manual removal might not guarantee a complete solution, as remnants of files could linger in the system even after uninstallation.
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