VisualDiscovery Ads

What is VisualDiscovery?

VisualDiscovery is a potentially unwanted browser add-on developed by Superfish Inc. This extension claims to allow users to search the web by entering images and other visual content as a search query. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that this application is categorized as adware.

VisualDiscovery employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to infiltrate Internet browsers without users' consent. VisualDiscovery was also distributed by the Lenovo company, which sold new computers with this adware already installed.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, VisualDiscovery generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

VisualDiscovery displays various intrusive online advertisements (such as banner, display, pop-up, etc.) that can lead to further computer infections. Furthermore, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, search queries entered, pages viewed, and other details are collected by VisualDiscovery and these may be personally identifiable.

This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. There are hundreds of rogue browser add-ons similar to VisualDiscovery. CrossBrowser, FindingDiscounts, and PlusBrowserApps are just some examples from many - none of which provide any real value for the user.

These applications (including VisualDiscovery) are developed simply to generate revenue by delivering intrusive online advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall VisualDiscovery from your Internet browsers.

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

Download clients may seem legitimate download tools, however, they are developed to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of additional applications or browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software.

The developers state that these advertised applications are legitimate and virus-free, but in fact, careless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To prevent installation of any potentially unwanted programs such as VisualDiscovery, be attentive during download of 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, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

If your system has been infected with VisualDiscovery, follow the removal guide provided to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

VisualDiscovery (Window Shopper) adware installer setup:

Intrusive online advertisements generated by VisualDiscovery adware:

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Quick menu:

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

VisualDiscovery 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.

Another variant of VisualDiscovery adware:

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Window Shopper" or "SuperFish Inc. VisualDiscovery", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove VisualDiscovery 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 "Window Shopper" or/and "VisualDiscovery", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the visualdiscovery 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 "Window Shopper" or/and "VisualDiscovery", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the visualdiscovery 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Window Shopper" or/and "VisualDiscovery".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with visualdiscovery 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 visualdiscovery 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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