FavGenius Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is FavGenius?
FavGenius is a dubious browser extension that supposedly provides link bookmarking functionality - "You visited a webpage and then closed it, and now you want to revisit it, but can’t remember the page? Simply save the webpage you want to revisit for later use with this useful tool!"
Many users believe that this add-on is legitimate and useful, however, FavGenius generates intrusive online advertisements and continually monitors Internet browsing activity. Thus, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted adware-type program (PUP) that infiltrates systems without users’ permission.
This app employs a 'virtual layer' to generate banner, pop-up, coupon, and other similar intrusive ads. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any web page. These ads conceal underlying content, thus diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
Furthermore, some lead to malicious sites containing infectious content - clicking them is risky and may cause further adware or malware infections. Be aware that users' Internet browsing activity is tracked, since FavGenius gathers IP addresses, geo-location, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries and other similar information.
Some of this data might include personally identifiable information that is later shared with third parties who use it to generate revenue.
Thus, having FavGenius installed on your system might cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, you should eliminate this threat by uninstalling FavGenius immediately.
FavGenius is virtually identical to FunFeedr, Cartt, Shoppr, and SwytShop. The only difference is the functionality offered. Although all claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience, none provide users with any real value.
FavGenius and other listed apps are designed to generate revenue for the developers - rather than providing the features promised, these apps continually generate intrusive online advertisements (using the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model), and collect personally identifiable details (which are later sold to third party companies).
How did FavGenius install on my computer?
As with most adware-type programs, FavGenius is distributed using deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps. Bundled programs are usually hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings.
Unaware that PUPs will be concealed, users often rush the download and installation processes and skip most/all steps. This behavior leads to inadvertent installation of rogue apps. By exposing the system to risk of infection, users also compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be attentive when downloading and installing software. Closely analyze each step of these processes using the 'Custom/Advanced' settings and opt-out of all third party programs. Bundled software is mostly rogue - never accept any offers to download or install it.
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Quick menu:
- What is FavGenius?
- STEP 1. Uninstall FavGenius application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove FavGenius adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove FavGenius ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by FavGenius' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove FavGenius ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
FavGenius 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 "FavGenius", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes FavGenius ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove FavGenius 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 "FavGenius", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by favgenius, 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 "FavGenius", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by favgenius, 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 "FavGenius".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by favgenius 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 favgenius, 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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