SuperFish Ads

What is SuperFish?

SuperFish ads are caused by an api, which various browser extension developers apply to their add-ons. These ads appear when Internet users visit online shopping websites such as eBay, Amazon, Shopping.com, etc.

Although these ads are not directly related to virus or spyware infections, many computer users report that they do not know why these pop-ups appear or what causes them. Users should be aware that SuperFish ads are caused by free add-ons installed on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome).

Some known browser extensions using the SuperFish api are: Xnotifier, Fasterchrome, and Surf Canyon. If you have recently installed one of these browser plug-ins, you will observe price comparison and coupon ads when browsing online shopping websites.

Many free software (or browser extension) developers use these additional plug-ins to monetize their free software. To avoid unwanted ads such as this, closely check each installation window of any freeware and disallow installation options for additional software or browser add-ons.

SuperFish ads are not caused by virus or malware infections, but are a direct consequence of free browser plug-in installation. To eliminate these ads, check any recently-installed browser extensions and eliminate them. If you feel that SuperFish ads appear in your Internet browser without your consent, and you wish to remove them, use the removal guide provided.

Deceptive free software installer used in SuperFish ('SimilarProducts') adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is SuperFish?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Fast Search, WindowsShopper applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SuperFish add-on from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SuperFish plugin from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove SuperFish extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SuperFish ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SuperFish 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 "Fast Search, WindowsShopper", select these entries and click " Uninstall" or "Remove"

After uninstalling browser extensions which cause SuperFish ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. Recommended malware removal software.

Remove SuperFish adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for SuperFish and Surf Canyon Incorporated related entries (WindowsShopper, Fast Search) and disable them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the superfish virus, 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 on "Extensions".  Locate these entries: "FastestChrome - Browse Faster, Superfish WindowsShopper, Surf Canyon", select them and click on the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the superfish virus, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and disable these add-ons: "Fast Search by Surf Canyon, WindowsShopper".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with superfish virus 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 superfish virus, 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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