Ads by Browsing Protection

What is Browsing Protection?

Developed by a company called 'Intriguing Apps', Browsing Protection is a rogue browser plug-in claiming to protect user-browsing by preventing malware and spyware infections when browsing the Internet.

While this functionality may seem useful and legitimate, be aware that Browsing Protection is considered to be adware or a potentially unwanted application since it uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Browsing Protection generates numerous intrusive online advertisements including banner, interstitial, pop-up, coupon, targeted video ads, and offers to download other PUPs also considered to be adware.

There is a high probability that clicking these advertisements will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, Browsing Protection continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various information that may be personally identifiable. For example: search queries entered on search engines (Bing, Google, etc.), URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geographic locations, unique identifier numbers, and other details.

Browsing Protection is similar to other rogue browser add-ons claiming to enable certain functions. Examples include Browsing Safeguard, Browser Keeper, Clean Browse, Web Security App, amongst many others. None of these browser add-ons provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate Browsing Protection adware from your Internet browsers.

Browsing Protection is distributed via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) and other PUPs claiming to improve users' Internet browsing experience. Examples of these PUPs include Safe Browse, Browsing Guardian, Solid Savings, and savings and coupons related adware.

Browsing Protection is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' employed by freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com amongst many others. Download managers are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of promoted 'virus-free' browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software.

Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections. This situation can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and never accepting installation of any additional programs offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any hidden applications bundled for installation and allow you to decline them.

Internet users who have already installed Browsing Protection, and observe intrusive online advertisements while browsing the Internet, should study the following removal guide to uninstall this adware from their Internet browsers.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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

Browsing Protection 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 "Browsing Protection" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, Browsing Protection ads were generated by various coupon ads-displaying adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Browsing Protection adware 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 "Browsing Protection", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Browsing Protection 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 browsing protection adware, 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: "Browsing Protection", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Browsing Protection ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

If you are unable to remove Browsing Protection (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"?

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the browsing protection adware, 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 "Browsing Protection". Note that Browsing Protection 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 browsing protection adware 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 browsing protection adware, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on browsing protection adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion