FilesFrog Adware

What is FilesFrog?

Developed by Somoto Ltd, the FilesFrog application supposedly notifies users of updates available for any installed software - "FilesFrog is a software update checker that keeps all your desktop software up to date. It was created to make it easier for you to be informed of newer versions of your favorite software and to make the entire process of transitioning to it simpler and faster."

These claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimate and useful software. In fact, FilesFrog is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. After stealthily infiltrating the system, FilesFrog monitors installed software status and displays update messages.

The accepted updates open an installation set-up, which supposedly installs the promoted application updates. In fact, this is used to 'bundle' third party software that might be infectious. This type of software usually displays intrusive online advertisements (for example, banners, pop-ups, interstitial, transitional, full-page, and other ads).

The displayed ads conceal underlying website content and may also redirect to third party websites, thereby causing further computer infections.

Furthermore, the ads might collect personally identifiable information and share it with third parties. There is a strong possibility that shared information will be misused to generate revenue, leaving your privacy at risk. Therefore, you should uninstall all suspicious applications immediately.

FilesFrog shares many similarities with other regular adware-type apps including Unfriend Monitor, Computer Pal, and Unfriend List. These apps claim to provide useful features, and yet, none provide any real value for users.

Adware-type applications never deliver the promised functionality - they are developed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements (via the 'Pay Per Click' - PPC - advertising model), and collecting personally identifiable information (which is later shared with third parties to generate revenue).

How did FilesFrog install on my computer?

FilesFrog distributes third party applications, and itself is distributed using the 'bundling' method. Bundling allows developers to stealthily install third party applications with the chosen software. Many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing software, and thus, bundling is very effective.

By rushing download and installation and skipping most/all of the steps, users expose their systems to risk of infection - they are often unaware that rogue applications are concealed within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush the download and installation procedures. Closely analyze each step of the free software download procedure and decline all offers to install additional apps. Furthermore, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options during installation - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and enable you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installers used in FilesFrog adware distribution:

Screenshot of the FilesFrog application:

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Quick menu:

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

FilesFrog 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 "FilesFrog Update Checker", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove FilesFrog adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, FilesFrog 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 filesfrog pup, 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 filesfrog pup, 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 plug-ins 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 filesfrog pup 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 filesfrog pup, 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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