CashBack Adware

What is CashBack?

CashBack is a deceptive application claiming to save money by allowing users to recoup certain funds when shopping online - "Cashback is a loyalty program where you get cashback on ething you buy online for free!" 

Initially, this functionality might appear legitimate and useful, however, be aware that CashBack generates intrusive online advertisements and collects information relating to Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted adware-type program (PUP) that infiltrates systems without users’ permission.

This adware is designed to generate banner, pop-up coupon, price comparison, and other similar intrusive ads. All are displayed using a 'virtual layer' and, thus, none originate from users' visited websites. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site, thereby concealing underlying web page content.

In this way, the generated ads significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience. Furthermore, some redirect to malicious sites that are likely to contain infectious content. Clicking ads generated by CashBack is risky and may lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, CashBack collects various information such as search queries entered into search engines, websites visited, pages viewed, IP addresses (to determine geo-location), etc. Some of this data might contain personally identifiable details that developers share with third parties (who are likely to misuse personal data to generate revenue).

Therefore, having an information-tracking app such as CashBack installed may cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall this PUP immediately.

There are hundreds of potentially unwanted programs that claim to save time and money while shopping online. GetLucky, CoupSeek, and Life-Saver are just some examples. Although, all seem legitimate and useful, none provide the functionality promised.

Adware-type programs such as CashBack are designed to generate revenue for the developers - these apps merely generate intrusive online advertisements and collect personally identifiable information.

How did CashBack install on my computer?

CashBack has an official download website, however, it is most likely to infiltrate systems without users’ permission. This is due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' used to distribute CashBack. Bundled applications are often concealed within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings.

Research shows that many users are unaware of this, skip this section, and rush the download/installation processes. This can lead to inadvertent installation of rogue apps and exposes systems to risk of infection.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent installation of adware-type apps, be attentive during the download and installation processes. Using 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings is imperative. Be aware that bundled (mostly rogue) software is often hidden, and therefore, skipping this section will prevent you from declining it.

Deceptive free software installer distributing CashBack adware:

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Quick menu:

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

CashBack 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 "CashBack", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove CashBack adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, CashBack 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 pingvi plugin 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 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 pingvi plugin 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 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 pingvi plugin 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 pingvi plugin 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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