Ads by CloudScout

What is CloudScout?

CloudScout is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that claims to protect users from malware and spyware infections when surfing malicious websites. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that CloudGuard is categorized as adware.

These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed by CloudScout to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Bundling allows developers to stealthily distribute their applications together with other software, and for this reason, most users inadvertently install CloudGuard when downloading free software from freeware download websites.

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

There is a high probability that clicking ads generated by this rogue application will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, CloudGuard continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information such as unique identifier numbers, geographic locations, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, search queries entered into search engines, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft. CloudScout is similar to other PUPs that use bundling as an installation method including, for example, Browser Guard, Search Safer, Browser Protect, and ProtectedBrowsing among many others.

None of these rogue browser extensions are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads, enforcing unwanted browser redirects, and sharing recorded information with third parties. You are strongly advised to eliminate CloudScout from your Internet browsers.

Close examination of CloudScout reveals that it is mostly distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com, etc.

Download managers are used by these websites as free service monetization tools, since they offer installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate') browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

Installation of CloudScout can be avoided by closely inspecting each step of the free software download procedure and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

If you have already installed CloudGuard, and you experience intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, read the removal instructions provided below to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in CloudGuard (CloudScout) adware distribution:

Screenshot of the CloudGuard application:

Intrusive pop-up ads generated by CloudScout adware:

CloudScout adware generating intrusive online ads ('by CloudScout'):

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Quick menu:

• What is CloudGuard?
• STEP 1. Uninstall CloudScout application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove CloudScout ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove CloudScout adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by CloudScout' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove CloudScout ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

CloudScout 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 "CloudScout Parental Control version 1.3", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove CloudScout adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, CloudGuard installed no browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gears" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the cloudscout 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 "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the cloudscout 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with cloudscout 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 cloudscout 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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