Web Security Keeper Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Web Security Keeper?
Web Security Keeper is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to protect users from various infections while surfing the Internet. Some users may find this functionality legitimate and useful, however, Web Security Keeper is categorized as adware.
This negative association is made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' used to distribute Web Security Keeper. Bundling is a way to stealthily distribute third party applications together with regular software, and therefore, most users install this bogus app inadvertently when downloading free software from freeware download websites.
After infiltration on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), Web Security Keeper generates intrusive online advertisements such as banner, pop-up, in-text, and other similar ads. Clicking these generated advertisements might redirect you to dubious websites containing infectious content, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.
As with other adware applications, Web Security Keeper monitors and records various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable. Be aware that information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
There are many rogue applications similar to Web Security Keeper including, for example, Knowledge Gains, SmartWallet, GoodDeals, and Web Shield. These are just some examples from a long list. Although these applications claim to enable various useful features, none provide any real value.
Adware-type applications such as Web Security Keeper are developed to generate revenue by the display of advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties. You are strongly advised to eliminate Web Security Keeper from your system immediately.
Research shows that most adware is distributed using small programs called 'installers' (also called 'download clients', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites such as soft32.com, downloads.com, and softonic.com.
Installers are said to ease the download process, however, they are employed by these websites as traffic and free services monetization tools by offering installation of third party applications together with the chosen software. In some cases, these apps are simply hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options.
These advertised applications are often described as '100% legitimate and virus-free', and yet, most are categorized as adware or malware. To avoid computer infections, closely analyse each step of the free software download procedure and uncheck all additionally-included apps.
Furthermore, programs 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 cancel them. If you have installed Web Security Keeper, follow the instructions below to uninstall this adware from your system.
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Quick menu:
- What is Web Security Keeper?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Web Security Keeper application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Web Security Keeper adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Web Security Keeper ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Web Security Keeper' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Web Security Keeper ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Web Security Keeper 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 "Web Security Keeper", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Web Security Keeper ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Web Security Keeper adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Web Security Keeper 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 browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web security keeper 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the web security keeper 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with web security keeper 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 web security keeper 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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