OpenBrowserVersion Adware

What is OpenBrowserVersion?

OpenBrowserVersion is a dubious browser plug-in claiming to save time and money by displaying special deals/discounts available on shopping websites. Some users may find this browser add-on legitimate and useful, however, OpenBrowserVersion is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers of this add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software) to install OpenBrowserVersion on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

As with other typical adware, OpenBrowserVersion generates advertisements such as banners, in-text, pop-up, coupon, interstitial, and other similar ads after installation. Be aware that advertisements generated by adware-type applications often redirect to rogue websites containing infectious content, and therefore, clicking them exposes your computer to risk of infection.

OpenBrowserVersion collects various Internet browsing-related information including IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, and pages viewed (these are just some examples from a long list).

This recorded data might contain personally identifiable details, and therefore, having this information tracking application installed on your computer can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Other similar adware such as ShoppinGate, Coupons Vault, and SmartWallet also claim to offer useful features and to save time and money, however, none (including OpenBrowserVersion) provide any of the features promised. Adware-type applications are developed to generate revenue by the display of ads and sharing collected data with third parties.

For these reasons, OpenBrowserVersion should be uninstalled from your system immediately.

At time of research, OpenBrowserVersion (and other adware) was distributed using small programs called 'download managers' (also called 'installers', 'download clients', etc.) on freeware download websites such as, download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, and many others.

These websites employ download managers to monetize their traffic and free services by offering installation of additional (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser extensions or applications together with the chosen software.

Despite these claims, reckless download and installation of freeware risks system infection with adware or malware. This situation can be avoided by closely analysing each step when downloading free software and selecting 'Decline' for all offers of third party software installation.

Furthermore, when installing downloaded programs, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. If you have installed OpenBrowserVersion, follow the instructions below to eliminate this PUP from your system.

Deceptive free software installer used OpenBrowserVersion adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

OpenBrowserVersion 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 "OpenBrowserVersion4", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove OpenBrowserVersion 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 "OpenBrowserVersion", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by openbrowserversion, 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 "OpenBrowserVersion", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by openbrowserversion, 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 "OpenBrowserVersion".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by openbrowserversion 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 openbrowserversion, 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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