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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Malware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Oct 2017

How to remove Exploit.swf.bd virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Scammers use the name of Exploit.swf.bd virus to trick people into calling fake support line

Screenshot of Exploit.swf.bd tech support scam site

Exploit.swf.bd is a Trojan horse which name is used by tech support scammers. Even though it’s a real cyber threat, the alert that pops up on your browser warning about the attack is fake. It has nothing in common with Microsoft or Windows Defender.

If your browsing session has been interrupted by a redirect to the website that delivers a pop up saying that “Windows Firewall Security Damaged by Exploit.swf.bd Virus,” it means that ad-supported program may have sneaked inside your computer with the help of the freeware or shareware you have recently downloaded.

The purpose of this malicious website is to trick users into calling to toll-free “customer service”: +1-(888)-223-4021. To do so, scammers deliver an exploit.swf.bd virus warning, tell about Zeus virus detection and provides Error Code 0x8024402c which has nothing in common with this issue.[1]

No matter how hard crooks try to convince you that windows firewall security damaged by exploit swf bd virus, we can assure that it did not happen. Windows Defender does not deliver security alerts in the browser’s window. Therefore, you should close the tab immediately and do not call the provided number.

Scammers might trick you into purchasing useless security software or installing remote access tools and download a really malicious content to your computer. Thus, if these redirects continue, you should find and uninstall adware program. However, the quickest method for Exploit.swf.bd removal is to run a full system scan with FortectIntego or another anti-malware.

However, if you do not want to use security software for virus elimination, you can find the instructions how to remove swf/exploit manually at the end of the article.

What is SWF exploit?

Originally, Exploit.swf.bd is a cyber infection that is designed to exploit a vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player by using Shockwave Flash (.SWF) files which allows remote code execution, downloading and running various files on the device. Therefore, this malicious program might install any malware on the computer.

According to Symantec, [2] Adobe Flash Player 9.0.115.0 and earlier versions of the program might be infected because this malicious program might exploit these vulnerabilities:[3]

  • CVE-2014-8439
  • CVE-2015-0310
  • CVE-2015-0311
  • CVE-2015-0313
  • CVE-2015-5119
  • CVE-2015-5122

However, the problem was solved in Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124.0. However, users are advised to stay away from third-party download sources and do not install a corrupted version of the Flash Player.

Though, if you think that you have installed an affected version of the program, you should update Flash Player to the recent version immediately. However, it’s not enough for exploit swf removal. You should also run a full system scan with an updated and reputable antivirus or malware removal program to wipe out malware from the device.

Fake Exploit.swf.bd virus alert

Distribution of the malicious program

Adware, which is responsible for redirects to Exploit.swf.bd tech support scam site spreads in software bundles. It might get inside the system when a user downloads a free program and install using Quick/Recommended setup. Security experts from Los Virus[4] remind that users have to monitor installation using Advanced/Custom settings and unmark all pre-selected third-party programs that are offered to install too.

Meanwhile, the Exploit.swf.bd trojan spreads as a corrupted version of Adobe Flash Player. The latest versions of the program are fixed. However, users are reminded to be careful with this program’s downloads and updates.

Detailed explanation on how to remove exploit.swf.bd virus

If you have been infected with Exploit.swf.bd adware and continuously get redirected to a technical support scam website, you can get rid of this cyber infection either manually or automatically. Manual elimination instructions are presented below. However, we want to stress out that you should complete these three tasks:

  1. Check the list of installed programs and other components on the system and uninstall them all.
  2. Remove suspicious add-ons, browser extension, and plugins from each of the browsers installed on each of your browsers.
  3. Reset the browsers.

All these steps are crucial to stop redirects, as well as other adware-related activities on the browser. However, if these activities do not stop, it means that you have left some components. In this case, it’s better to opt for the automatic Exploit.swf.bd removal and let the anti-spyware program to delete leftovers.

However, if you have been infected with an actual Trojan, you should update Adobe Flash Player to the latest version and make sure that you are not using a corrupted version. For complete exploit.swf.bd removal, you have to run a full system scan with a reputable malware removal program which can detect and eliminate all malicious entries that may have been installed by a Trojan too.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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