ShopBrain Ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ShopBrain?
Compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, the ShopBrain browser add-on uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (installation of additional applications along with the chosen software) to install on these browsers without users' consent.
Following successful infiltration, the ShopBrain plug-in generates various intrusive online advertisements (such as banners, in-text, or interstitial ads), which may lead to high-risk malware infections.
In addition, this rogue browser add-on records web pages visited, clicks, search terms, search queries and other hardware and software information, which can be personally identifiable (collected information may be used or shared with third parties).
This behavior may lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft. ShopBrain claims to improve users' online shopping experience by enabling functions such as deal comparison, subscription of new deals, and coupons.
Although this may seem a legitimate browser extension, be aware that it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware since it causes random intrusive advertisements and diminishes browser performance.
The presence of adware such as ShopBrain on your system may lead to high-risk computer infections or serious privacy issues, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate it from your Internet browsers.
In most cases, users install ShopBrain, or other similar adware (such as SaveBox, MyShopper, PriceGong, Cash 'n Back, and DiscountCow) together with free software downloaded from freeware download websites (including, for example, soft32.com, download.com, softonic.com, amongst many others).
Most freeware download websites employ small download programs ('download clients') to monetize their free services by offering installation of advertised browser extensions together with the chosen software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.
This can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and declining installation of any additional applications offered.
If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Regular' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation, and you will be able to opt out.
Users who have already installed ShopBrain and observe "Ads by ShopBrain" advertisements when browsing the Internet, should follow this removal guide to uninstall it from their Internet browsers.
Deceptive free software installer used in ShopBrain adware distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is ShopBrain?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ShopBrain application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove ShopBrain ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove ShopBrain adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Ads by ShopBrain from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove ShopBrain extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ShopBrain 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 "ShopBrain", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes ShopBrain ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove ShopBrain 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 "ShopBrain", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the shopbrain 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: "ShopBrain", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the shopbrain 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 the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "ShopBrain".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with shopbrain 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 shopbrain 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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