Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is ActiveFormat?

ActiveFormat is a piece of software classified as adware. Additionally, it has browser hijacker qualities. This app operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and promoting fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. Furthermore, ActiveFormat likely has data tracking abilities. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute adware and browser hijackers, they are also deemed to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is positive-news[.]org?

Positive-news[.]org loads deceptive content to trick visitors into allowing it to show notifications and promotes various untrustworthy websites. Most users end up on pages like positive-news[.]org unintentionally: these pages get opened through shady advertisements, other pages of this kind, or installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

What is TechGrid adware?

TechGrid is the name of advertising-supported software that has the qualities of a browser hijacker. More precisely, TechGrid displays unwanted advertisements and promotes a fake search engine by changing a web browser's settings. In most cases, users download and install apps like TechGrid unintentionally.

What is StreamsSearchClub?

StreamsSearchClub is a rogue browser extension. It operates by making modifications to browser settings to promote the streamssearchclub.com fake search engine. Additionally, StreamsSearchClub likely spies on users' browsing activity.

Due to this, it is classified as a browser hijacker. Furthermore, software products within this classification are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications), since browser hijackers are typically downloaded/installed inadvertently.

What is StreamSearchApp?

StreamSearchApp is a browser hijacker promoting the streamsearchapp.com fake search engine. It operates by making changes to browser settings to cause redirects to its web searcher. Additionally, StreamSearchApp likely has data tracking abilities. Since most users inadvertently download/install browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is PENTA ransomware?

PENTA is a type of malicious software that encrypts files so that victims could not access them without a decryption tool purchased from the attackers. Also, it appends the ".PENTA" extension to their filenames (for example, it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.PENTA", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.PENTA").

Also, PENTA ransomware creates the "PENTA_READ ME.txt" file as its ransom note (and changes the desktop wallpaper). The main purpose of PENTA's ransom notes is to provide instructions on how to contact the attackers and pay for data recovery (decryption).

What is UnitCache adware?

UnitCache falls under the category of both adware and a browser hijacker - it displays advertisements and hijacks a web browser by making some changes in its settings. Another significant detail about UnitCache is that this application is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

What is "We noticed a login from a device you don't usually use"?

"We noticed a login from a device you don't usually use" refers to an email spam campaign - a mass-scale operation during which thousands of deceptive emails are sent. The letters distributed through this campaign are disguised as notifications concerning a suspicious device having been used to sign into the recipients' email accounts.

The goal of these scam letters is to trick users into exposing their email account log-in credentials (i.e., email addresses/ usernames and corresponding passwords) by attempting to log in via a phishing website.

What is MRDC ransomware?

MRDC is a type of malware that prevents victims from using/accessing their files by encrypting them and creates the "MRDC_README.rtf" file (a ransom note). Also, MRDC renames encrypted files by replacing them with "[markusdoc88@criptext.com].[random_string].MRDC".

For example, it renames a file named "1.jpg" to "[markusdoc88@criptext.com].g2tFia1T-eQErQuE4.MRDC", "2.jpg" to "[markusdoc88@criptext.com].h3yLop2R-fKFdCnI5.MRDC", and so on. MRDC belongs to the Matrix ransomware family. Its ransom note provides contact information and some additional details.

What is OptimizationTool?

OptimizationTool is a piece of rogue software. It is classified as adware and has browser hijacker qualities. This app runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifies browser settings to promote fake search engines. Additionally, most adware-types and browser hijackers have data tracking abilities. Since users typically download/install such software inadvertently, these apps are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).