Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is BuzzSearch?

BuzzSearch is a potentially unwanted application developed by Super Web LLC and installs on users' Internet browsers without their consent using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

Whilst the creators of this extension state that it is legitimate and enhances users' browsing experience (by allowing searching of multiple sites simultaneously, displaying website ratings, etc.), in fact, BuzzSearch is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

After successful installation, this add-on causes various unwanted ads including search, banner, text link, transitional, interstitial, and full page advertisements.

What is Surf and Keep?

The Surf and Keep browser plugin promises to save time and money whilst shopping online. This browser add-on automatically scans for coupons, deals, and promotions, providing online shoppers with the benefit of comparison and enabling them to purchase products and services that suit their budgets.

Note that while such functionality may seem legitimate, many Internet users refer to Surf and Keep as a virus or malware. These negative associations are made since this browser plugin installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent, and furthermore, the add-on generates intrusive coupon and deals ads.

Unwilling installation of this extension is caused by deceptive free software download websites, which employ 'download clients' to monetize their free services.

What is Aartemis?

The Aartemis virus is a browser hijacker, which modifies users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) by assigning the homepage and default search engine settings to Aartemis.com This redirect adware is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

Commonly, computer users install this browser hijacker inadvertently without their consent when downloading free software. Internet users should be aware that, today, most freeware download websites use 'download clients' - small programs, which manage the download process of the chosen free software. Download clients are also used to promote free browser plugins.

What is Spring Smart?

Spring Smart is a potentially unwanted application, which installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Computer users often install this plugin when downloading free software.

The plugin claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by displaying website reviews and enabling multiple website search capabilities.

Note that while this added functionality may seem legitimate, in fact, this browser plugin is categorized as adware since it diminishes browser performance, tracks users' Internet browsing habits (recording the IP address, unique identifier number, operating system, browser information, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, etc.) and displays various unwanted ads (including search, banner, text link, transitional, interstitial, and full page ads).

What is LocalMoxie?

LocalMoxie is a dubious website (Internet search engine) promoted using free software downloads. It hijacks users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) and assigns the homepage and default search engine settings to Localmoxie.com

Moreover, this browser hijacker installs several browser 'helper objects', which prevent any user modification of the aforementioned settings.

A common source of this adware is free software download websites, which employ 'download clients' to monetize their free services. Download clients are small programs, which manage the process of software download and also offer installation of free browser plugins. They commonly cause unwilling installation of potentially unwanted applications.

What is Govome?

The Govome search virus is a browser hijacker, which installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without their consent and causes browser redirects to the govome.com website.

This website uses a deceptive Internet search engine crowded with sponsored search results, which lead to installation of potentially unwanted applications, malicious websites, or invasions of privacy. Internet users often experience such redirect issues after downloading and installing free softwxare.

The creators of the Govome browser hijacker use freeware 'download clients' to distribute their adware.

What is Savings and coupon?

This removal guide explains how computer users can remove savings and coupon ads from appearing within their Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox). Within this article, the term 'savings and coupon ads' is used to describe potentially unwanted applications (adware) created by 215 Apps (also known as Innovative Apps or Engaging Apps).

These browser plugins self-install using free software 'download clients' and cause diminished browser performance, unwanted coupon ads when visiting online shopping websites, and may also lead to serious privacy issues.

Browser extensions created by this company are known to track users' Internet browsing habits by recording various information, including but not limited to, browser type, operating system type, and IP addresses.

What is Kozaka?

The Kozaka browser plugin displays website reviews and its developers also claim that it allows users to search multiple sites simultaneously.

In fact, the Kozaka extension is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application since it installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent and causes various unwanted ads. Commonly, Internet users install this unwanted browser add-on when downloading and installing free software.

The browser extension is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Unwilling installation of Kozaka is caused by dubious 'download clients' or free software 'installers'.

What is Surf Shield?

The 'Web Surf Shield virus' is a term used to describe a Windows Hosts file-modifying Trojan. This security infection was created by cyber criminals to trick unsuspecting PC users into completing deceptive online surveys, and thus, generate affiliate revenue from them.

Commonly, this Hosts file hijacker infiltrates systems through fake downloads (such as Facebook password-hacking tools, router password-hacking tools, etc), P2P networks, and infected email messages. After successful infiltration, the Web Surf Shield Trojan modifies the Host file of an infected operating system by adding various entries.

This modification assigns Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) redirects to the Web Surf Shield page, which states "Access to this page has been temporally blocked. Please take time to download our web shield update below. You can continue accessing the site after installing update. Thank you".

What is Mindspark toolbar?

The Mindspark company develops various toolbars and extensions for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Internet users can download these browser plugins from their homepage, however, they commonly install together with free software downloaded from the Internet, or via deceptive banner advertisements.

Many Internet users report that Mindspark toolbars were installed on their Internet browsers without their consent. Such unwilling installation can be caused by freeware 'download clients', which advertise browser plugins during the download phase of the chosen software.

Mindspark toolbars are also advertised on various download websites via banner ads. These promote the browser extensions and display download buttons. Thus, Internet users often download these toolbars in the belief that they are downloading free software.