Browser Guardian adware

What is Browser Guardian?

Developed by Intriguing Apps, the Browser Guardian browser add-on claims to keep computer systems safe from malicious sites on the Internet by preventing malware infections. While this functionality may seem legitimate, be aware that the Browser Guardian add-on is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

Developers of this browser plug-in employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', thus, many users install this browser add-on inadvertently without their consent.

After successful infiltration, Browser Guardian generates intrusive online advertisements including, for example, sponsored links, traditional display advertisements such as banner ads, pop-up ads, interstitial ads, coupons, video targeted ads, and offers to download and install other applications (adware).

Following successful infiltration, Browser Guardian monitors and records users' Internet browsing activity by tracking URLs of websites visited, search terms entered into search engines (such as Google, Bing, etc.), geographic locations, IP addresses, and other software and hardware information.

This tracking can lead to privacy issues and identity theft, and therefore, you are advised to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox).

At time of research, this potentially unwanted application was distributed using freeware downloads (deceptive free software 'download clients') and fake downloads (fake Java updates, browser updates, etc.) Browser Guardian can also be installed via other adware, for example, Coupon Server, Solid Savings, and other savings and coupons related adware.

Browser Guardian adware is similar to other unwanted ads-generating browser plug-ins including, for example, Block and Surf, BlockIt, and Shieldren. These browser extensions install on browsers when downloading or installing free software, and while they promise to enhance the browsing experience by adding various useful features, in fact, add no real value.

The main purpose of browser plug-ins such as these is to generate revenue from intrusive ads and user tracking. To avoid installation of this adware, be attentive when downloading and installing freeware. When downloading free software, inspect each step and decline installation of any advertised browser extensions.

Computer users who observe ads generated by Browser Guardian should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installer used in Browser Guardian adware distribution:

Browser Guardian installer setup:

Browser Guardian generating "Enhanced Results" ads within Internet search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo):

Browser Guardian adware generating deals ads ('by browser guardian'):

In-text ads generated by Browser Guardian adware ('Ad by Browser Guardian'):

Browser Guardian adware generating intrusive online banner ads ('Ad by Browser Guardian'):

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Quick menu:

• What is Browser Guardian?
• STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Browser Guardian ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Browser Guardian advertisements from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Browser Guardian' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Browser Guardian extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Browser Guardian 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 "Browser Guardian" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, Browser Guardian ads were generated by "Coupon Server" adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Browser Guardian ads from Internet browsers:

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 "Browser Guardian", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Browser Guardian ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by browser guardian, 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: "Browser Guardian", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Browser Guardian ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by browser guardian, 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.

If you are unable to remove Browser Guardian (or any other add-on) and it is greyed-out ("Installed by enterprise policy"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a Google Chrome extension that is "Installed by enterprise policy"?

Remove malicious plugins 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 "Browser Guardian". Note that Browser Guardian ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by browser guardian 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 ads by browser guardian, 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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