Cool Facts is a useless browser extension that can cause security and privacy concerns
Cool Facts is a browser hijacker that modifies the browser's default settings such as the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. This way, people are forced to use only selected channels for browsing which raises many user privacy and security concerns.
The app is marketed as a useful tool that displays interesting facts. The hijackers' promised functions are rarely fulfilled. Instead, they generate income for crooks. They can be compensated by collecting browsing-related data or by displaying pay-per-click advertising.[1]
| NAME | Cool Facts |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | The app changes the main settings of the browser, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine |
| DISTRIBUTION | Unsafe websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | The application may be collecting data about users' browsing activities; users might get redirected to dangerous websites that can trick them into providing personal information or downloading PUPs and malware |
| ELIMINATION | Remove the extension via browser settings; performing a scan with professional security tools is recommended |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to clear your browsers from cookies and cache |
Distribution methods
For their applications, fraudsters frequently create “official” promotional websites. They try to make them look as good as possible in order to persuade people to download them. You should, however, only install extensions from official web stores. Apps that get listed there have to go through an extensive review process.
In any case, we always recommend conducting thorough research – reading the reviews, examining the ratings, and counting the number of users. Read the description thoroughly, and if the claims appear too good to be true, they most likely are. Pay close attention to the grammar and spelling; if there are errors, you should reconsider trusting the developers.
Clear your browsers
Taking care of your browsers is one of the most important things you should do. Websites can use cookies[2] to gather data like your IP address, geolocation, pages you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. Typically, this information is used to tailor the user experience.
It's just another way for crooks to make money. They can sell cookies to advertising networks and other third parties. They can also be hijacked and used for malicious purposes, so it is critical to delete them on a regular basis. We recommend using a maintenance tool like FortectIntego for this task.
It can automatically clear cookies and cache with a single click. It can also repair various system errors, BSODs, corrupted files, and registry problems, which is especially useful following a virus infection.
Remove the unwanted extension
You can remove browser add-ons by going to your settings. Find the list of extensions installed in your browser and remove Cool Facts. Learn how to do that in the guide below:
Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Freeware platforms
Occasionally, simply removing the extension is ineffective, and users continue to experience unwanted symptoms. In that case, you'll need to scan your machine for adware, which is a program that runs in the background and generates commercial content.
If you have it, simply removing the add-on will not be sufficient, and the settings will continue to change until the intruder is completely removed from your machine. To avoid PUPs (potentially unwanted programs)[3] sneaking into your system as bundled software, follow these simple installation rules:
- Always choose “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods
- Read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to find out what information will be collected and what the application will be allowed to do in your system
- The most important part is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any items that you think are suspicious or unrelated
Scan your system
PUAs are frequently disguised as “useful” tools in order to make it difficult for average users to identify them. Because the program causing the erratic behavior could have any name or icon, we recommend using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes anti-malware tools if you are unsure what to do and do not want to risk deleting the wrong files.
They can scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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