Articles Simplifier browser extension (fake) - Free Instructions

What is Articles Simplifier browser extension?

Articles Simplifier is a bogus browser extension that messes up the main settings

Articles Simplifier does not offer any useful browser functions

Articles Simplifier is a bogus browser extension that hijacks the browser. It can change the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. It can also cause an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.

The extension is promoted as a useful tool that helps simplify articles. In reality, it does not have any functions that could improve the user experience. Instead, it raises user privacy and security concerns. Web-based applications can track users' activity with the help of various tracking technologies.

What is a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers usually come in the form of a browser extension. The application can gain access to the browser's settings and change them. People are then forced to use only selected channels for browsing. Because the creators could also be wanting to make a profit from ads, they may use rogue advertising networks.^[1]

People may start seeing suspicious advertisements that contain links leading to dangerous websites. Users can end up on pages that try to trick them into providing personal information or downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[2] and even malware.

Most often, crooks use bogus “Downloader” pages to spread them. People think that they are installing a legitimate extension, when in fact, they are not. People can infect their machines by clicking on suspicious “Download” buttons. If you want to improve your browser with an extension, it is best to use official web stores.

However, you should still not forget to do your research – read the reviews, look at the ratings, and the number of users. We recommend choosing add-ons that have plenty of positive feedback and thousands of users. You should also read the description – look for any grammar or spelling mistakes. If there are any, that should raise your suspicion.

Articles Simplifier is spread through shady websites that should not be explored

Start the removal

The first thing you should do is go to your browser settings and check if you see any extensions with a similar name or suspicious-looking add-ons in general. You can follow our guide if you need help:

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:

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 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.

Clear cookies and cache

Now that your machine is clear from intruders, you should get rid of all the data that might have been collected about you, while it was in your machine. For this, you need a different tool – FortectIntego, which is a multi-purpose maintenance software. It will fully clear your browsers from cookies^[3] and cache, which will result in better performance of your machine. Besides that, it can fix various complicated system errors that are caused by corrupted files, and registry issues, which is especially helpful after a virus infection.

PUP distribution methods

Crooks often disguise PUPs as “handy” tools that you would not even suspect. It could look like an antivirus, system optimizer, media player, or else. It is done so it would be more difficult for everyday users to get rid of them. They are most commonly spread through freeware^[4] distribution platforms.

To minimize the risk of infection, always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use. The most important step is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any unrelated files to prevent them from installing.

If you want to keep your system safe, you should stay away from freeware installations, peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms, and torrent websites as they are breeding grounds for malicious programs. Even though it might get costly to purchase all software, you may save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly.

Perform a scan to remove any PUPs

The hijacking could have also been caused by a program. This most commonly happens when people do not pay attention during installation and browse through shady sites. If the previous removal method did not get rid of the intruder, you most likely have a potentially unwanted program performing tasks in the background.

In this case, simply removing the plugin from the browser will not help, and the application will keep messing up the settings until you completely eliminate it from your system. However, identifying the program responsible for hijacking your browser might be difficult if you have never done this before.

SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes can scan your machine, identify suspicious processes running in your machine, eliminate them, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a malicious program can make any changes. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows 10/8:

1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

Windows 7/XP:

1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Mac:

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. 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:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.