Shield+ Browser Adware

What is Shield+?

Shield+ is a deceptive chromium-based web browser falsely claiming to allow users to surf the Internet without encountering intrusive advertisements.

 These false claims often trick users into believing that Shield+ is a legitimate and useful app, however, this browser is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP), since this bogus app infiltrates systems without users’ permission. It also generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks Internet browsing activity.

After system infiltration, Shield+ collects information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic location), websites visited, search queries entered into search engines (Bing, Google, etc.), pages viewed, and so on.

Many users believe that this data is insignificant, however, it might contain personally identifiable details that developers of Shield+ share with cooperating third parties who misuse private data to generate revenue. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

As well as data tracking, Shield+ employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, and other similar intrusive online advertisements. None originate from users' visited websites and conceal underlying content. This significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience.

Furthermore, these ads redirect to malicious websites that contain infectious content - clicking them is risky and may cause further adware or malware infections. For these reasons, Shield+ adware should be uninstalled immediately.

This PUP is virtually identical to BrowserAir, WebVeil, Chromodo, and dozens of other fake chromium-based browsers. All claim to enable valuable features, however, all are used to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than providing the functionality promised, Shield+, and many other pups, simply cause unwanted browser redirects (thereby increasing the traffic of certain sites), display intrusive online ads (via the 'Pay Per Click’ [PPC] advertising model), and collect personal data (which is later sold to third parties). These apps deliver no real value for users.

How did Shield+ install on my computer?

Although, Shield+ has an official download website, many users install it inadvertently. This is due to deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of PUPs with regular software). Many users rush the download/installation processes, skipping most/all steps.

Therefore, they often install third party programs hidden within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings, inadvertently. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of further infection and put their privacy at risk.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two main steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, analyze the download/installation processes using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Secondly, cancel all additionally-included programs, since bundled software is mostly malicious.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Shield+?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Shield+ application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove unwanted add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Shield+ 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 "Shield+", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Shield+ ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Shield+ 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 shield+ browser 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 shield+ browser 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with shield+ browser 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 shield+ browser 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on shield+ browser pup or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion