Key Shift Adware

What is Key Shift?

Key Shift, a potentially unwanted program (PUP), claims to improve the Internet browsing experience by enabling comparison shopping, coupons, and other similar functionality. While this browser plug-in may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Key Shift is categorized as adware.

SuperWeb LLC (the developers of this adware) employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install Key Shift on Internet browsers without users' permission.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Key Shift generates intrusive online advertisements (such as banner, pop-up, coupon, interstitial, transitional, search and full-page ads) that may lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, Key Shift tracks users' Internet browsing activity and collects various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable. For example: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, unique identifier numbers, IP addresses, etc.

This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Key Shift is just one of several hundred identical PUPs released by SuperWeb LLC. Box Green, Match Pal, Strong Signal, and Positive Finds are other examples among many others, none of which provide any significant value to the user.

The developers of these applications intentionally release these applications under different names to prevent detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus suites - they are developed to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall Key Shift from your Internet browsers.

Research shows that most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc.

Download clients 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 or application together with the chosen software. Thus, reckless download and installation of free software risks computer infection with adware or malware.

This situation can be prevented by closely observing each step of the free software download procedure and never accepting installation of any additional programs offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Typical', 'Regular', or 'Quick' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If you have installed Key Shift, follow this removal guide to eliminate this adware from your 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 Key Shift?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Key Shift application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Key Shift adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Key Shift ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Key Shift' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Key Shift extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Key Shift 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 "Key Shift", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Key Shift 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 "Key Shift", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by key shift, 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 "Key Shift", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by key shift, 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 "Key Shift".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by key shift 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 ads by key shift, 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 ads by key shift or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion