Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is WebAidSearch?

WebAidSearch is a rogue application belonging to the AdLoad adware family. Apps classified as adware operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Therefore, WebAidSearch delivers various unwanted and harmful ads.

Furthermore, this piece of software shares common traits with browser hijackers, such as browser modification and promotion of fake search engines. Most adware-types and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing habits as well. Since most users download/install WebAidSearch unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

It has known to be proliferated using fake Adobe Flash Player installers and updaters. Note that bogus installers/updaters are often used to spread PUAs and malware (e.g. Trojans, ransomware and other malicious software).

What is d0wnload3d[.]com?

Virtually identical to dataf0ral1.com, d0wnload3d[.]com is designed to promote a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Once accessed, it automatically downloads the .dmg file ("Install.dmg"), which is a rogue installer associated with the aforementioned plug-in.

These fake installation setups are often used to proliferate a variety of untrustworthy and even malicious content. They can infiltrate adware, browser hijackers and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) into systems and infect them with Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Note that d0wnload3d[.]com and similar sites are usually accessed unintentionally - most visitors are redirected to them by intrusive advertisements or PUAs already installed on the system.

What is LeadingSignSearch adware?

Part of the AdLoad adware family, LeadingSignSearch is a rogue app that operates by delivering various intrusive advertisements. This application possesses some browser hijacker characteristics, such as making modifications to browser settings and promotion of fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware and browser hijacker types have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious methods used to promote LeadingSignSearch, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

For example, this app has been distributed using fake Flash Player updates. Note that bogus updaters are commonly used to proliferate PUAs and even malicious software (e.g. ransomware, Trojans, etc.).

What is exq-timepieces[.]com?

exq-timepieces[.]com is similar to many other rogue web pages designed to load dubious content or redirect visitors to other untrusted websites. For example, odicfulbrid[.]info, ryseconomi[.]info and goodbase[.]biz. Typically, people do not visit these sites intentionally.

In most cases, they are redirected to them through other dubious websites, deceptive ads or potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on the browser or operating system. Note that people tend to download and install PUAs inadvertently. Once installed, these apps open dubious websites, display ads and gather data.

What is "Congratulations device user!"?

"Congratulations device user!" is a scam run on various deceptive websites. It claims that users can win a prize (fake) supposedly provided by Google. This scam steals users' personal information and can also abuse their trust in other ways.

Access to deceptive/scam sites is typically gained unintentionally via redirects caused by intrusive advertisements or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already infiltrated into the system.

What is Buerak?

Buerak is the name of a malicious program, which is categorized as a Trojan. It opens 'backdoors' for other malicious software to infiltrate. In this way, Buerak causes chain infections and infects computers with other malware. It can be used to proliferate malicious programs, which then cause a number of serious problems.

If there is any reason to believe that the operating system is infected with Buerak, it should be eliminated immediately.

What is the Kraken ransomware?

Kraken is a malicious program belonging to the Ouroboros ransomware family. Systems infected with this malware suffer data encryption and users receive ransom demands for decryption tools/software. During the encryption process, all affected files are renamed according to the following pattern: original title, ".kraken" and the original extension.

For example, a file such as "1.jpg" would appear as "1.kraken.jpg" following encryption. After this process is complete, a pop-up window containing the ransom message is displayed.

What is "Your friend’s account was compromised Email Virus"?

There are many examples of spam campaigns used by cyber criminals to infect computers with malicious programs. Typically, they send emails that contain dangerous attachments or website links hoping that recipients will open them. Their main goal is to trick people into executing a malicious file, which infects operating systems with malware.

This particular spam campaign is used to trick recipients into installing Raccoon Stealer. Therefore, we strongly advise against trusting this email - leave its contents unopened.

What is thepiratebay[.]org?

thepiratebay[.]org is an untrusted website for Peer-to-Peer sharing of various media and software. It allows users to download/share content via magnet links and torrent files. As well as infringing copyright laws, it also uses rogue advertising networks.

Therefore, visitors to this site are often redirected to untrusted and malicious web pages. Furthermore, thepiratebay[.]org is notorious for offering malicious programs for download - these are disguised as or 'bundled' with normal content. You are strongly advised against visiting or using this website.

What is NOtifications Manager?

Users of NOtifications Manager are supposedly able to browse the web with fewer advertisements, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker. It promotes nonotifications.com (the address of a fake search engine) by changing browser settings.

Most apps of this type also gather various information. Browser hijackers are classified as PUAs, since people tend to download and install them unintentionally.