Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Email Assistant?

Based on a legitimate, open-source project called Chromium, Email Assistant is a rogue browser. It can supposedly enhance the browsing experience with such features as improved privacy, security, speed and quick access to user-preferred email services, however, this untrusted piece of software operates as adware (i.e., delivers intrusive advertisements).

It also promotes a fake search engine (hemailaccessonline.com) and monitors users' browsing activity. Due to these dangerous capabilities and its dubious proliferation methods, Email Assistant browser is classed as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is JackSparrow?

Discovered by S!Ri, JackSparrow belongs to the Ouroboros ransomware family. The program encrypts files and changes filenames by adding the ".encrypted" string.

For example, a file named "1.jpg" is changed to "1.encrypted.jpg", and so on. JackSparrow also displays a pop-up window which contains instructions about how to contact the developers plus some other details.

What is PublicAdviseSearch?

PublicAdviseSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is part of the AdLoad adware family. PublicAdviseSearch serves intrusive advertisements and promotes the address of a fake search engine. It is very likely that it also gathers browsing-related (and other) data.

Note that PublicAdviseSearch is promoted and installed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. In most cases, people download and install these apps unintentionally.

What is SearchOptical?

Part of the AdLoad adware family, SearchOptical is a rogue application that operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e. it delivers various undesirable and even harmful ads). Additionally, it shares traits with browser hijackers including modification of browser settings and promotion of fake search engines.

Most apps within the this classification (adware and browser hijackers) possess data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. SearchOptical often infiltrates systems via bogus Adobe Flash player updates, which are typically spread through scams such as "Latest version of Adobe Flash Player" and other dubious proliferation methods.

Therefore, it is also classed as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Note that fake software updaters are often used to proliferate PUAs and malware (e.g. ransomware, trojans, etc.).

What is Xbvpnvee?

Xbvpnvee is malicious software belonging to the Snatch ransomware family. It is designed to encrypt the data of infected systems and demand payment for decryption tools/software. When this malware encrypts, all affected files are appended with the ".xbvpnvee" extension.

For example, "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.xbvpnvee", and so on for all compromised files. Once this process is complete, a ransom message within the "HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT" file is dropped into each encrypted folder.

What is dataf0ral1[.]com?

dataf0ral1[.]com operates in a similar way to mob1ledev1ces[.]com and faters0upload[.]com, however, there are many of other web pages of this type. When visited, the site downloads a .dmg file, a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Typically, fake Adobe Flash Player installers are designed to install potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

For example, browser hijackers and adware. In some cases, they install malicious software including Trojans, ransomware, and other high-risk malware. Note that people do not usually visit pages like dataf0ral1[.]com intentionally - they are opened via clicked deceptive advertisements, untrustworthy web pages or PUAs already installed on the browser or operating system.

What is Borr?

Borr is the name of a malicious program which can be purchased from hacker forums. The cost is equivalent to $100 for the first month, after which the monthly cost becomes $50. Cyber criminals use Borr to steal various sensitive information, which they can misuse to generate revenue in various ways.

Users who have Borr installed on the operating system are exposed at risk of financial loss, identity theft, problems relating to privacy and other issues. Therefore, if there is any reason to believe that Borr is installed on your computer, it should be removed immediately.

What is NetToolboxSearch?

NetToolboxSearch is a rogue app belonging to the AdLoad adware family. Following successful installation, it operates by running intrusive ad campaigns. Therefore, it delivers unwanted and dangerous ads. NetToolboxSearch also has certain browser hijacking qualities: modification of browser settings and promotion of bogus search engines.

It has been observed proliferating via fake Flash Player updaters, and thus it is additionally categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Furthermore, fake software updates are often used to proliferate PUAs and even malicious content (e.g. trojans, ransomware and other malware).

Note that most PUAs (including adware and browser hijackers) monitor browsing activity.

What is VirtualToolboxSearch?

Belonging to the AdLoad adware family, VirtualToolboxSearch is a rogue application that runs intrusive ad campaigns (i.e., deploys various annoying and harmful advertisements). Additionally, most adware-type apps have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing habits.

This application also contains browser hijacker functions: browser modification and promotion of fake search engines. VirtualToolboxSearch is also categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) due to its dubious proliferation methods. For example, it has been promoted via bogus Flash Player updates.

Note that fake software updaters are often used to infiltrate PUAs into systems and infect them with malware (e.g. ransomware, trojans, etc.).

What is KeyWordsSearch?

KeyWordsSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and part of the AdLoad adware family. Like most applications of this type, KeyWordsSearch is designed to display intrusive advertisements. Research shows that this app also promotes a fake search engine and might collect data.

Therefore, it operates not only as adware but also as a browser hijacker. KeyWordsSearch is distributed through fake Adobe Flash Player installers. Users tend to download and install software like KeyWordsSearch inadvertently.