Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

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.

What is websearch.search-guide.info?

The Websearch.search-guide.info browser hijacker installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) together with free software downloaded from the Internet. After successful infiltration, this adware modifies users' Internet browser settings including the homepage and default search engine domains.

Moreover, this adware installs several browser 'helper object', which block attempts to roll back these changes. At time of research, this adware was 'bundled' with a program called SkypEmoticons.

Developers of this free program promote the websearch.search-guide.info browser hijacker using a deceptive installer, which tricks unsuspecting computer users into installing browser setting-modifying adware together with the free software.

What is Scorpion Saver?

Scorpion Saver is a potentially unwanted application, which installs on users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) together with free software downloaded from the Internet. After successful infiltration, this browser add-on generates intrusive ads when users visit online shopping websites such as Best Buy, Expedia, Walmart, etc.

Note that whilst many Internet users refer to Scorpion Saver as a virus, technically it is not - this browser plugin is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware. In most cases, unwilling installation of this browser add-on is caused by 'download clients', which are used by free software download websites.

They manage the download process of the chosen free software, however, also promote various browser plugins. Thus, reckless freeware download can lead to inadvertent installation of Scorpion Saver or other adware.

What is Win32/FakeSysDef family?

The Win32/FakeSysDef family of rogue system optimizers are created by cyber criminals. Fake programs from this family infiltrate users' computers via security vulnerabilities and then perform fake system scans, resulting in the 'detection' of serious hardware (commonly, Hard Disk Drive HDD) issues.

These programs display fake hard disk drive errors with the intention of scaring PC users into purchasing the 'full version' of the program.

After successful infiltration, rogue programs from this family modify the operating system settings and registry entries, and configure themselves to start automatically on each system start-up. To make the fake hardware errors appear authentic, bogus system scanners hide users' desktop icons and Start menu entries.

What is Win32/FakeRean family?

The FakeRean/Braviax family of fake antivirus programs is developed and distributed by cyber criminals. The main purpose of these rogue programs is to infiltrate users' operating systems and display fake security scans to trick users into purchasing a fake license key.

Cyber criminals responsible for creating these bogus programs use 'exploit kits' to infiltrate users' systems. Exploit kits rely on outdated software to infect users' operating systems, and therefore, keeping your installed software up-to-date can drastically reduce the risk of computer virus infection.

The Braviax/FakeRean family of rogues is well known for the name-changing capability of its fake antivirus programs. The bogus programs from this family detect the operating system of the computers targeted for infiltration and modify their names accordingly.

For example, when infecting a computers running the Windows 7 operating system, rogue programs from this family appear as Windows 7 Antivirus, Windows 7 Internet Security, Windows 7 Home Security, or Win 7 Security. Windows XP users observe these bogus programs appearing as Windows XP Antivirus, Windows XP Internet Security, etc.

What is SkyWebber?

The SkyWebber browser extension is created by Super Web LLC. The plugin is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. It displays website reviews and allows users to search multiple websites simultaneously.

On initial inspection, this add-on appears legitimate and useful, however, further research reveals that SkyWebber installs on users' Internet browsers without their consent, and moreover, causes various unwanted ads. This behavior is typical of adware or potentially unwanted applications, which are distributed using free software.

After successful infiltration, this browser add-on tracks users' Internet browsing habits, recording the IP address, unique identifier number, operating system, browser information, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered, and other software and hardware information.

What is National Security Agency?

The 'National Security Agency virus' is a term used to describe a ransomware infection, which exploits the name of the National Security Agency (NSA). This virus locks computer screens and demands payment of a $300 fine (using GreenDot MoneyPak) for alleged law violations, such as watching and distributing child pornography.

In fact, this message is not related to the NSA, it is a scam created by cyber criminals. This screen-locking message is the result of a security infection and should not be trusted. PC users should understand that paying the fine is equivalent to sending their money to cyber criminals.

Commonly, this fake message is proliferated using 'exploit kits', which infiltrate users' operating systems via security vulnerabilities detected within outdated software such as Java, Flash, etc.