Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Active Hotspot?

Windows Active Hotspot is a fake antivirus program, which generates fake security warning messages in order to trick unsuspecting PC users into purchasing a useless license key. Cyber criminals responsible for creating this scam use fake online security scanners and 'exploit kits' to proliferate this bogus software.

Fake online security scanners are pop-up ads, which mimic the scanning of users' computers and then report 'critical security issues', which can supposedly be eliminated by downloading and installing Windows Active Hotspot. Exploit kits are malware infections, which rely on outdated software in order to infiltrate users' operating systems.

After successful infiltration, this rogue antivirus program modifies the operating system registry file and configures itself to run automatically on each system start-up.

What is nationzoom.com?

The 'Nationzoom.com virus' is a term used to describe a potentially unwanted application, which modifies Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) settings by assigning the default search engine and homepage fields to nationzoom.com This browser hijacker is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

Commonly, Internet users install this browser hijacker without their consent when downloading free software. Recent research shows that this browser settings-changing adware is also proliferated using fake downloads (for example, fake browser, Java, or Flash Player updates).

This adware is especially rogue since it installs a browser 'helper object' (Wsys Control), which prevents users from changing their browser settings. Furthermore, this adware modifies the shortcut targets of any installed Internet browsers.

What is Trontizer?

The Trontizer browser add-on claims to make Internet browsing more productive by enabling multi-site searching, displaying website trust ratings, and displaying discount codes when visiting online shopping websites. This plugin is created by SuperWeb LLC and is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Whilst on initial inspection, this browser extension may seem legitimate, Internet users should be aware that Trontizer is categorized as adware since it tracks users' Internet browsing habits, generates unwanted ads, and is distributed using free software downloads (in some cases, fake downloads).

SuperWeb LLC, the company responsible for developing Trontizer, releases identical browser extensions under different names in order to avoid detection by legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

What is BrowseSmart?

BrowseSmart is a potentially unwanted application developed by SuperWeb LLC. Creators of this browser add-on state that it makes Internet browsing more productive by enabling multiple site searching (search results from multiple sources in a single location), displaying website trust ratings, and displaying coupons and deals when shopping online.

Whilst such functionality many seem legitimate, the BrowseSmart plugin is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware since it installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and, Mozilla Firefox) without their consent, generates various unwanted ads, and tracks users' Internet browsing habits.

Commonly, unwilling installation of this plugin is caused by deceptive free software 'downloads clients' or fake downloads.

What is Feven?

Feven is a potentially unwanted application developed by Brightcircle Investments Limited. This browser add-on is distributed using fake downloads and deceptive free software 'download clients'. The software commonly installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent.

Developers of this browser extension claim that it saves time and money whilst shopping online, and while such functionality may seem legitimate, Internet users should be aware that Feven is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application. Therefore, you are advised not to use this browser add-on.

After successful infiltration, this browser plugin causes various unwanted ads including intrusive coupon ads such as Jollywallet coupon ads, pop-up ads, and Ads not by this site when users visit online shopping websites. Clicking on these third party advertisements can result in privacy issues or installation of malware.

What is Storimbo?

Storimbo is a browser plugin developed by SuperWeb LLC. This add-on promises to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by displaying related search results, website ratings, and enabling multiple site search capabilities.

Whilst this added functionality is valid, Internet users should be aware that the Storimbo browser extension causes unwanted ads including search, banner, text link, transitional, interstitial, and full page advertisements.

Furthermore, this potentially unwanted application tracks users' Internet browsing habits by recording IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, operating systems, browser information, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, and other information.

What is Search Smarter and Search Assistor?

Search Smarter and Search Assistor are rogue browser plugins, which infiltrate users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) through fake downloads. At time of research, these potentially unwanted applications were distributed using a fake download called 'Secure loan viewer'.

Internet users are tricked into installing these potentially unwanted applications by a malicious website purporting to represent a financial institution (Trust Financial Group) and offering the viewing of loan decisions. Internet users should be aware that, rather than downloading 'Secure loan viewer' software, they will actually install adware called 'Search Smarter' and 'Search Assistor'.

What is Cleaning Toolkit?

Windows Cleaning Toolkit is a rogue antivirus program, which reports non existent security infections in order to scare unsuspecting PC users into buying a useless license key. The license key supposedly allows users to remove the fake security threats.

In fact, no security infections indicated by this bogus program are genuine. Cyber criminals responsible for creating this scam hope that PC users will fall for the trickery and divulge their banking information in order to clean their operating systems.

Commonly, this fake security scanner infiltrates users' computers via 'exploit kits', fake downloads, or fake online security scanners.

What is Contenko.com?

Contenko.com is a deceptive Internet search engine, promoted using various browser hijackers. Hijacking programs redirect browsers, consequently causing adware, and are commonly installed inadvertently together with free software when users are tricked by deceptive freeware 'download clients'.

Contenko.com presents users with an Internet search engine, however, the search results are crowded with dubious sponsored results - clicking these can lead to installation of additional potentially unwanted applications or even malware. If your Internet browsers redirect you to contenko.com, it is a clear indication that your computer is infiltrated with adware.

What is search.whitesmoke.com?

The 'Whitesmoke search redirect virus' is a term used to describe a browser hijacker, which infiltrates Internet browsers through dubious free software 'download clients' and modifies browser settings by assigning the homepage and default search engine to search.whitesmoke.com

This browser hijacker often installs together with free software downloaded from the Internet using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Internet users should be aware that, today, most free software download websites use download clients.

Download clients are small programs, which manage the process of freeware download and also monetize it by offering installation of advertised browser extensions together with the chosen free software.