SquareTrace Ads

What is SquareTrace?

The SquareTrace rogue browser plug-in claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by displaying websites with related content and enabling comparison shopping, coupons, and other functions. Although this functionality may appear legitimate, users should be aware that SquareTrace is categorized as adware.

Developers of this plug-in (SuperWeb LLC) optimize it for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

SquareTrace uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install on systems without users' consent. Following successful infiltration, the plug-in generates various intrusive advertisements including interstitial, transitional, banner, text link, search, and full page ads.

Furthermore, SquareTrace tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information such as IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, URL's visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other information. SuperWeb LLC has released over one hundred identical browser plug-ins including Fortunitas, ScanTack, and Surftastic.

None of these, including SquareTrace, add any real value for the user. In fact, having adware such as SquareTrace installed on your computer may lead to serious privacy issues or malware infections.

This company releases identical browser add-ons under different names to avoid detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. The purpose of this rogue behavior is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

Applications such as SquareTrace are mostly distributed via 'download managers' within freeware download websites. Download managers are small programs used to monetize free services of these websites by offering installation of promoted browser extensions along with the chosen free software.

Reckless download and installation of freeware may result in adware or malware infection, and therefore, users should inspect each step during the download of free software and decline any offered installation of additional applications.

When installing the downloaded software, choose the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation together with the chosen software, and you will be able to decline installation of them.

Users who observe "Ads by SquareTrace", "Powered by SquareTrace", and "SquareTrace Deals" when browsing the Internet, should follow this removal guide to eliminate this plug-in from their Internet browser/s.

Deceptive free software installer used in Square Trace adware distribution:

SquareTrace adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ads by SquareTrace'):

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove SquareTrace 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 "SquareTrace", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the squaretrace 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", in the opened window remove "SquareTrace".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with squaretrace 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 squaretrace 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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