Ads by Special Box

What is Special Box?

Special Box (a browser add-on) claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling comparison shopping, coupons, and other similar functions. This add-on is developed by SuperWeb LLC, who employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to distribute Special Box without users' consent. Therefore, this extension is categorized adware.

Bundling is a method used to stealthily install apps together with other software, and for this reason, Special Box is often installed inadvertently together with free software downloadable on freeware download websites.

Following infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Special Box delivers intrusive ads such as banner, pop-up, search, interstitial, transitional, etc. These ads typically lead to bogus websites containing infectious content.

Special Box also tracks user information by recording IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, unique identifier numbers, and other details. This collected data is shared with third parties and likely to be personally identifiable. Information tracking such as this may lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft.

Special Box is one of hundreds of applications developed and released by SuperWeb LLC. These applications are identical, but distributed under different names to avoid detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus suites.

In fact, none provide any significant value for the user, since their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive ads and sharing collected data with third parties. You are strongly advised to eliminate Special Box from your system.

Most popular freeware download websites employ small programs called installers, download managers, download clients, etc., as monetization tools for their free services and traffic. These programs facilitate the download process and often include additional apps with downloaded free software.

The promoted apps are presented as 'legitimate and virus-free', however, they are generally categorized as adware or malware. To prevent installation of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as Special Box, express caution when downloading free software to ensure that no other applications are included.

Furthermore, when installing downloaded software, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any bundled programs listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If you observe 'Ads by Special Box', 'Special Box Deals', 'Powered by Special Box' advertisements when surfing the Internet, read the instructions below to eliminate this adware.

Deceptive free software installer used in Special Box adware distribution:

Intrusive online advertisements generated by Special Box adware ('Ads by Special Box'):

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Quick menu:

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

Special Box 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 "Special Box", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Special Box 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 "Special Box", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the special box 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 "Special Box", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the special box 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 "Special Box".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with special box 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 special box 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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