Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Alpha Crypt?

Alpha Crypt is a ransomware infection that infiltrates computer systems using infected email messages or Angler Exploit Kit (Flash exploit - CVE-2015-0311). This malware was previously known as TeslaCrypt. After successful infiltration, Alpha Crypt encrypts files found on the victim’s computer using the AES CBC 256-bit encryption algorithm.

For example: .wma, .avi, .wmv, .zip, docx, .doc, .ppt, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff and many others (185 file types in total). Like its predecessor, Alpha Crypt mainly targets gamers. Here are some examples of video games files (saved games and Steam activation keys) targeted by this ransomware: World of Warcraft, League of Legends, World of Tanks, and Call of Duty.

What is navegaki.com?

The navegaki.com website can be used as the homepage or default search engine for Internet browsers. It contains a search bar and links to popular websites and social networks - supposedly to enhance users' Internet browsing experience.

Although navegaki.com is not technically a virus or malware, it installs without users' consent and modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the tab URL, homepage, and default search engine fields to navegaki.com (behavior common to many regular browser hijackers).

Furthermore, this application installs several small applications (called 'helper objects') that prevent users from reverting these changes.

Users often install this bogus app inadvertently during download of free software from freeware download websites. This is due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party applications together with the chosen software).

What is System Notifier?

System Notifier is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that claims to notify users whenever there is a system-related program/update available. This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, be aware that System Notifier is categorized as adware.

These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed by the developers of this rogue add-on to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Bundling allows the developers to distribute their applications together with other software, and therefore, most users inadvertently install System Notifier together with free software downloaded from freeware download websites.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, System Notifier generates various intrusive online advertisements and monitors users' Internet browsing activity.

What is Number Ascend?

Created by SuperWeb LLC, Number Ascend is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Bundling is a way to distribute third party applications together with regular software.

Therefore, Number Ascend is often distributed with free software downloadable on freeware download websites. Number Ascend claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by enabling various features such as coupons or comparison shopping, and although this application may seem legitimate and useful, this PUP is categorized as adware.

After infiltration on Internet browsers, this application generates various intrusive online advertisements (for example, banner, pop-up, search, interstitial, transitional, and full-page) that often redirect to bogus websites, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.

What is Ad Blaster?

Created by Surf Island Solutions, Ad Blaster is a rogue application claiming to block pop-up and other similar ads when browsing the Internet. While this functionality may seems legitimate and useful, be aware that Ad Blaster is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program.

These associations are made due to a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) employed by Ad Blaster to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Ad Blaster generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

What is PayYou?

PayYou is a dubious application claiming to be a legitimate Internet browser, which pays money for browsing the Internet. Some users may find this functionality legitimate and useful, however, PayYou is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The main reason for these negative associations is a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' employed by the developers (Kromtech Alliance Corp.) to distribute the PayYou application.

After successful installation without users' consent, PayYou generates intrusive online advertisements (typically banners, pop-ups, and in-text links) that often redirect to bogus websites. These sites may contain infectious content, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.

What is CasinoRewards?

The CasinoRewards application claims to provide the latest casino-related news. Some users might find this app legitimate and useful, however, CasinoRewards is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers distribute this application using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of additional programs together with regular software.

After infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, the CasinoRewards app generates various intrusive online advertisements (banner, in-text, interstitial, etc.), which appear on most pages visited. Clicking these ads exposes your system to risk of infection, since they are likely to redirect to bogus websites containing infectious content.

What is OpenBrowserVersion?

OpenBrowserVersion is a dubious browser plug-in claiming to save time and money by displaying special deals/discounts available on shopping websites. Some users may find this browser add-on legitimate and useful, however, OpenBrowserVersion is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers of this add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software) to install OpenBrowserVersion on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

As with other typical adware, OpenBrowserVersion generates advertisements such as banners, in-text, pop-up, coupon, interstitial, and other similar ads after installation. Be aware that advertisements generated by adware-type applications often redirect to rogue websites containing infectious content, and therefore, clicking them exposes your computer to risk of infection.

What is OkayFreedom?

Developed by Staganos Software GmbH, OkayFreedom is a bogus application presented as a legitimate tool providing VPN services. On initial inspection, this rogue app may seem legitimate and useful, however, OkayFreedom is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

One of the reasons for these negative associations is a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' used to distribute OkayFreedom. Bundling is stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software, and therefore, users often install this PUP inadvertently during download of free software from freeware download websites.

After infiltration on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent, OkayFreedom generates intrusive online advertisements. These displayed ads may redirect to bogus websites containing infectious content, and therefore, clicking them can lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

What is ShoppinGate?

ShoppinGate is an adware-type browser extension claiming to save time and money by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and displaying special deals/discounts available on shopping websites. Although some users may find this functionality legitimate and useful, ShoppinGate is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

A deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software) is used to distribute ShoppinGate and is one of the main reasons for this negative association.

After infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, this rogue application generates various intrusive online advertisements including coupons, banners, and pop-up ads. These displayed advertisements often redirect to bogus websites, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.