Ads by Browser Guard 1
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Browser Guard 1?
Browser Guard 1 is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) developed by a company of the same name - Browser Guard 1 Ltd. This software claims to protect user-browsing by blocking malware and spyware infections, and while this browser add-on may seem useful and legitimate, be aware that Browser Guard 1 is categorized as adware.
The developers of this PUP employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software).
Internet users often inadvertently install this adware during download of free software via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, and many others.
Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Browser Guard 1 generates numerous intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
These intrusive advertisements include coupon, targeted video, banner, pop-up, sponsored link, interstitial ads, and download offers of other PUPs also considered to be adware. It is highly probable that clicking these generated advertisements will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.
In addition, this rogue browser extension continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various information that may be personally identifiable. For example: operating systems, browser types, geo-locations, IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, search queries entered, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details.
The behavior of this PUP may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate Browser Guard 1 adware from your Internet browsers.
During research, Browser Guard 1 was distributed via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) as well as other potentially unwanted applications such as Browser Guardian, Coupon Server, and other coupons and savings related adware.
Most users inadvertently install this PUP via download clients on freeware download websites - these are used to monetize the free services of these websites by offering installation of promoted (according to Browser Guard 1 Ltd, '100% legitimate') browser extensions together with the chosen free software.
Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections. Installation of Browser Guard 1, or other similar adware (for example, BlockIt, BlockAndSurf, and Shieldren), can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.
If you are installing downloaded software, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.
If you have already installed Browser Guard 1, and observe intrusive online advertisements when surfing the Internet, read the following removal guide and uninstall this adware from your Internet browsers.
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Quick menu:
- What is Browser Guard 1?
- STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Browser Guard 1 ads from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Browser Guard 1 advertisements from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Ads by Browser Guard 1 from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Browser Guard extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Browser Guard 1 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 Guard 1", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Browser Guard 1 ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Browser Guard 1 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 Guard", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Browser Guard 1 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 browser guard 1 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: "Browser Guard", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Browser Guard 1 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 Browser Guard 1 (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 browser guard 1 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 "Browser Guard". Note that Browser Guard 1 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 browser guard 1 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 browser guard 1 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.
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