Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is hp.myway.com?

GiffySocial is a rogue application developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. It is endorsed for quick access to various GIF images (a lossless compressed image, supporting animated and static visual content). In fact, this app is unable to provide GIFs and so employs GIPHY (a legitimate GIF database and search engine).

GiffySocial is classified as a browser hijacker due to the unauthorized changes it makes to browsers to promote a fake search engine (hp.myway.com). Most users install GiffySocial inadvertently, and thus it is categorized as a PUA (potentially unwanted application). GiffySocial also has data tracking capabilities, which it employs to monitor users' browsing habits.

What is hp.myway.com?

Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, MyVedicTab is a rogue application advertised as providing quick access to various Hinduism-related content and is accompanied by a fake search engine. This app supposedly provides access to the Panchang Hindu almanac and festival calendar, puja worship videos, bhajan devotional songs, and so on.

In fact, MyVedicTab is categorized as a browser hijacker, since it makes unauthorized changes to browsers to promote its associated fake search tool (hp.myway.com). Most users install this application inadvertently when they are tricked. Therefore, MyVedicTab is classed as a PUA (potentially unwanted application).

Note that MyVedicTab also has data tracking abilities, which it employs to monitor users' browsing activity.

What is HelperPages?

HelperPages is advertised as an extension that helps users to browse the web more efficiently by supposedly providing fast searches, accurate search results, and so on.

In fact, HelperPages is an adware-type app that displays ads. Apps of this type are often used to collect information relating to internet browsing activity. Note that HelperPages is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA), since people usually do not download or install it intentionally.

What is hp.myway.com?

MyGuidetoIslam is yet another rogue application released by the Mindspark Interactive Network. It supposedly allows access to various Islam-related content with an additional web searcher. It is allegedly capable of providing Quran and Hadith translations, Salah times, local mosque addresses, and similar.

Note, however, that this app is classified as a browser hijacker due to the changes it makes to browser settings (to promote hp.myway.com, a fake search engine). It is also classed as a PUA (potentially unwanted application), since most users install this app inadvertently. MyGuidetoIslam also monitors users' browsing activity, thereby gathering their personal information.

What is LocalDefault?

LocalDefault is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is classified as adware. Typically, users do not download or install apps of this type intentionally - they are tricked. Adware-type apps are usually designed to display ads and/or gather details relating to users' internet browsing activities.

According to developers of LocalDefault, this app should help users to browse more efficiently by supposedly delivering accurate, faster search results, etc.

What is FormalSearch?

FormalSearch is advertised as an app that enhances the browsing experience (provides fast searches, accurate search results, and so on), however, it simply displays unwanted advertisements.

Apps that feed users with these ads are called adware. Adware-type apps are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since most people download and install them unintentionally. Furthermore, adware often gathers various details relating to users' browsing habits.

What is Athena865?

Discovered by dnwls0719, Athena865 ransomware is part of Globeimposter, a family of ransomware-type programs. Software of this type is designed to encrypt files stored on the victim's computer and display or create a ransom message. In this case, Athena865 creates an executable (.exe) file named "HOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.exe".

It also renames all encrypted files by adding the ".Athena865" extension to filenames. For example, "1.jpg" becomes "1.jpg.Athena865".

What is VIVAL?

VIVAL is malicious software - ransomware designed to lock files by encryption. This ransomware was discovered by Jakub Kroustek and is part of the Dharma family. It renames all encrypted files by adding an ID, email address, and the ".VIVAL" extension to filenames.

For example, "1.jpg" might be renamed to "1.jpg.id-1E857D00.[vivaldicrypt@outlook.com].VIVAL". Additionally, VIVAL creates a ransom message within a text file named "FILES ENCRYPTED.txt" and displays another message in a pop-up window.

What is lkysearchex?

lkysearchex is an untrustworthy website that people do not often visit intentionally. If a browser opens lkysearchex automatically, an adware-type app is likely to be installed on the browser or operating system.

As well as opening dubious web pages, adware displays intrusive advertisements and/or collects details relating to users. Apps of this type are categorized as unwanted applications, since people usually download and install them unintentionally.

What is Boot?

Discovered by Michael Gillespie, Boot ransomware is a part of a ransomware family called Djvu. Typically, software of this type is designed to encrypt data using strong encryption algorithms. To decrypt their files, victims are encouraged to pay ransoms (purchase decryption software and/or keys from ransomware developers).

Boot adds the ".boot" extension to each encrypted file. For example, "1.jpg" becomes "1.jpg.boot". It also creates a ransom message within the "_readme.txt" text file, which contains instructions about how to pay for decryption.