OptOn Virus

What is OptOn?

The OptOn browser add-on promises to save users time and money whilst shopping online. This plugin displays coupon ads when users visit online shopping websites.

While such functionality may seem legitimate, computer users should be aware that the OptOn plugin is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application since it installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) together with free software.

To achieve this, developers of this plugin use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

After successful infiltration, OptOn generates intrusive third party ads and tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording web pages visited and activity on those pages (including impressions, clicks, and search terms). Note that this information can be personally identifiable, and thus, the presence of OptOn on your system can lead to privacy issues and identity theft.

In fact, this browser extension adds no real value, diminishes browser performance and may lead to serious malware infections. Therefore, you are advised to eliminate this adware from your Internet browser/s.

OptOn is similar to other adware, which installs together with free software downloaded from the Internet. Examples include ArcadeParlor, BringStar, and Shopop. These browser plug-ins promise to enhance Internet browsing by adding various useful features, however, their main purpose is to generate revenue from intrusive ads.

To avoid installation of these potentially unwanted applications, users should be attentive when downloading and installing freeware. When downloading free software, inspect each step and decline installation of advertised browser plug-ins.

When installing free programs, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal installation of any bundled adware. Computer users who observe unwanted coupon ads generated by OptOn or DropInSavings when surfing the Internet should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browser/s.

OptOn adware installer:

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Quick menu:

• What is OptOn?
• STEP 1. Uninstall OptOn application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove OptOn add-on from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove OptOn plugin from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove OptOn extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove OptOn extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

OptOn virus 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 "OptOn", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove OptOn virus 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 "OptOn", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the opton ads, 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: "OptOn", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the opton ads, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "OptOn".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with opton ads 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 opton ads, 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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