Ads by Browser Nail
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Browser Nail?
Developed by SuperWeb LLC, Browser Nail is a rogue browser extension claiming to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and other similar functions. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Browser Nail is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) employed by Browser Nail to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.
After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Browser Nail generates intrusive online ads and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
Advertisements generated by this rogue browser plug-in include (but are not limited to) banner, search, pop-up, interstitial, transitional, and full-page ads. There is a high probability that clicking advertisements generated by Browser Nail will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.
Additionally, Browser Nail continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable.
For example: Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines (Yahoo, Bing, and Google), unique identifier numbers, and other similar data. This information tracking may lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft.
SuperWeb LLC has released several hundred rogue browser applications identical to Browser Nail. Some examples include Web Tripp, Forever Net, Window Results, and Browser Gloss among many others. None of these applications provide any significant value for the user.
This company intentionally releases identical browser add-ons under different names to avoid detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus suites. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall Browser Nail from your Internet browsers.
Research shows that most adware is distributed via small download programs (called 'installers', 'download clients', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites such as soft32.com, softonic.com, and download.com.
Download programs are used to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.
To prevent installation of Browser Nail, be attentive when downloading free software and never accept installation of any additional programs offered. Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.
If your computer is infected with Browser Nail, and you observe 'Ads by Browser Nail', 'Powered by Browser Nail', and 'Browser Nail Deals' when surfing the Internet, read the following removal instructions and eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.
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Quick menu:
- What is Browser Nail?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Browser Nail application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Browser Nail plug-in from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Browser Nail add-on from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Browser Nail extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Browser Nail extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Browser Nail 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 Nail", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Browser Nail ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Browser Nail 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 "Browser Nail", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the browser nail 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 Nail", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the browser nail 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 Nail".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with browser nail 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 nail 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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