Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is ElementaryOptimizer adware?

ElementaryOptimizer is an adware-type app that also possesses browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, it runs intrusive ad campaigns and makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote bogus search engines. ElementaryOptimizer promotes (via akamaihd.net) Safe Finder in this way.

It is highly likely that ElementaryOptimizer also has data tracking capabilities, which is common to adware-type apps and browser hijackers. Additionally, due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate ElementaryOptimizer, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is TopSearchConverter?

Browser hijackers are unwanted extensions that alter the behavior of browsers, usually by changing certain settings. The main purpose of these apps is to promote fake search engines and collect browsing data. The TopSearchConverter browser hijacker promotes topsearchconverter.com in this way.

What is QuickTab Plus?

QuickTab Plus is a browser hijacker promoting tailsearch.com (a fake search engine). Software within this category usually operates by making changes to browser settings, which are intended to promote fake search engines, however, QuickTab Plus does not always modify browser settings in this way (see below).

Additionally, this dubious browser extension monitors users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are also categorized as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

What is protect-connection[.]com?

protect-connection[.]com is a deceptive website running various scams, primarily targeting iPhone users. At the time of research, this page promoted two different schemes: one claimed that visitors' devices were infected with high-risk viruses; the other implied that they must download/install the promoted VPN application.

The purpose of these scams is to endorse untrusted and possibly malicious software. For example, they promote fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). Note that some of these schemes proliferate Trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, and other malware.

Users typically access sites like protect-connection[.]com via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive advertisements, and installed PUAs.

What is MovieSearchTool?

MovieSearchTool is a dubious piece of software classified as a browser hijacker. It promotes the moviesearchtool.com fake search engine by making alterations to browser settings.

Additionally, most browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities that are used to monitor users' browsing habits. Due to the dubious techniques employed in MovieSearchTool's distribution, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is the withoughtc[.]top website?

Sharing common traits with settings-chrome.com, lcutterlyba.top, newsfeedscroller.com, thehypenewz.com, and countless others, withoughtc[.]top is a rogue web page. Upon visiting this site, users are redirected to other untrusted/dangerous websites and/or are presented with dubious content.

Typically, visitors to these pages access them unintentionally - most are redirected to them by intrusive ads or by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). These apps do not need explicit user permission to be installed onto devices. PUAs can have dangerous functionality such as causing redirects, running intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collecting browsing-related information.

What is AllMusicSearches?

Typically, browser Hijackers make alterations to browser settings to promote a specific address (usually a fake search engine). Also, most collect information relating to internet browsing activity. AllMusicSearches changes browser settings to allmusicsearches.com.

Note that AllMusicSearches and similar apps are often downloaded and installed by users unintentionally and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

What is Ovmajxwemfs ransomware?

Ovmajxwemfs is malicious software, which belongs to the Snatch ransomware family. Systems infected with this malware experience data encryption and users receive ransom demands for decryption. Ovmajxwemfs renders stored files inaccessible and, to recover access, users are instructed to pay ransoms.

During the encryption process, files are appended with the ".ovmajxwemfs" extension. For example, a file originally named something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.ovmajxwemfs", "2.jpg" as "2.jpg.ovmajxwemfs", and so on. After this process is complete, ransom-demand messages in "HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT" files are dropped into compromised folders.

What is rutracker[.]org?

rutracker[.]org is a torrent tracker, a web page that helps torrent client users to speed up downloads by finding 'seeders' and 'peers' for the files they attempt to download. Note that torrenting is legal, but downloading copyrighted content is not.

Furthermore, rutracker[.]org uses rogue advertising networks, contains dubious advertisements, and opens bogus websites. Therefore, do not trust or visit the rutracker[.]org website.

What is the uspetenti[.]top site?

uspetenti[.]top is a rogue website designed to present visitors with dubious content and redirect them to other untrustworthy/malicious pages. There are thousands of similar sites on the web including settings-chrome.com, newsfeedscroller.com, and thehypenewz.com.

Users rarely access websites of this type intentionally - most are redirected to them by intrusive ads or by installed Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). This software does not require explicit user consent to infiltrate systems.

PUAs cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect browsing-related information.