Ads by GuardedWeb

What is GuardedWeb?

Developed by Genco labs LLC, GuardedWeb is a dubious application claiming to protect users from various online infections. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that GuardedWeb is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or adware.

The developers of this rogue application employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional software together with the chosen program) to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, GuardedWeb delivers intrusive online advertisements such as banner, pop-up, interstitial, and pop-under ads. It is highly probable that clicking advertisements generated by this potentially unwanted program will lead to further high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, GuardedWeb continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity, since this browser plug-in records various software and hardware information that is likely to be personally identifiable.

For example: IP addresses (to determine geo-locations), unique identifier numbers, browser types and data (including URLs visited, pages viewed, and search queries entered into search engines), operating systems, and other similar details.

Behavior of rogue applications such as GuardedWeb can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall GuardedWeb from your Internet browsers.

GuardedWeb is similar to other rogue applications that use bundling as an installation method. Examples include ZoomPic, Zombie Invasion, and Mobius Radio among many others. None of these provide any significant value - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties.

Most adware such as GuardedWeb is distributed using small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites including download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com.

Download managers are used by these websites as traffic and free services monetization tools, since they offer installation of additional (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') applications or browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless installation of freeware, often results in system infection with adware or malware.

To prevent installation of GuardedWeb, or other PUPs, pay close attention when downloading free software and never accept installation of any additional programs offered. In addition, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.

If your computer is infected with GuardedWeb, and you see intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, follow the instructions below to eliminate this rogue application from your system.

 Deceptive free software installers used in GuardedWeb adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

GuardedWeb 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 "GSafe", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove GuardedWeb adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, GuardianWeb did not install its 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 "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious plug-ins, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gsafe ads, 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 gsafe ads, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with gsafe ads 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 gsafe ads, 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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