Browser Security (Removal Instructions) - Nov 2017 update
Browser Security Removal Guide
What is Browser Security?
Browser Security bothers computer users by serving daily dose of intrusive ads
Browser Security (also found as Browser-Security) is a deceptive ad-supported application that you should avoid by any means. This program falsely promises to protect your computer from unwanted intruders, such as adware, potentially unwanted programs, ad-supported applications and various useless toolbars. In addition, it even promises to prevent you from entering malicious Internet sites and block phishing attacks[1].
Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, it is too good to be true. In fact, this application is the exact opposite of what it claims to be. BrowserSecurity virus is yet another potentially unwanted program (PUP)[2] that may initiate unwanted changes behind your back, flood you with annoying advertisements and redirect you to affiliate websites. In order to prove that, here is a quotation from its end-user license agreement:
Browser Security may, at its own discretion and for its causes, include within Service any links for 3rd party websites, advertisements or links for applications (3rd Party Content). Browser Security does not warrant for 3rd Party Content or availability thereof nor does it endorse it.
Furthermore, we have also noticed one more odd statement from the program's privacy policy section:
Browser Security may change your default search engine to add Browser Security's (or any of Browser Security's affiliates) search engine.
It looks like this untrustworthy program may change your default search engine and try to redirect you to predetermined websites. This can be dangerous as you can never predict what website you will be redirected to.
Bear in mind that ad-supported applications hardly ever care about user's privacy or security and they do everything to promote third-party content as actively as possible. Therefore, if you do not want to be interrupted by never-ending pop-ups, fake search results and browser redirections during your browsing sessions, consider two Browser Security removal options we provide in this article.
If you are ready to remove Browser Security manually, just scroll down and start reading instructions prepared by our team. In case you are not confident about your spyware and malware removal skills, just pass this task to FortectIntego or Malwarebytes software.
Browser-Security virus emerges in 2017: Learn why you should stay away from it
Browser-Security appears to be another potentially unwanted program dubbed similarly as the previously-described PUP. Once installed, it creates a folder in C:\Users\[user's name]\AppData\Roaming and drops several associated files, including an uninstaller. Unfortunately, it is unknown whether the provided uninstaller works properly and manages to delete all components of this suspicious spyware variant.
Technical analysis of Browser-Security virus shows that the program silently communicates with a remote website in Germany. It is possible that certain details about the infected host and/or user's online activities including search queries, browsing history, and other information is being transmitted without user's knowledge. Therefore, we do not recommend keeping this suspicious program on the system.
You should remove Browser-Security and all of the files related to it using the anti-spyware or anti-malware software. This way, you will get the most reliable system clean-up results. Also, you may have installed additional spyware alongside this adware-type application, and detecting it can be hard.
Ways this suspicious application can infect your computer
So, now you know the truth about this questionable plug-in, however, you should also know how it can infiltrate your system. Take a look at the explanation provided by our colleagues at Novirus.uk[3]:
You can easily download BrowserSecurity from its official website or you can add it to your system while installing a freeware. In other words, this ad-supported application may travel bundled with freeware and shareware as an extra attachment. This potentially unwanted application often relies on such unfair and unethical distribution techniques.
Therefore, if you want to protect your computer, you should closely check every single program that you want to install and unmark all unfamiliar attachments that it may carry. We highly suggest choosing Custom or Advanced installation options to decompose the software bundle you may have unknowingly downloaded.
Remove Browser Security for good
As we have mentioned before, this application is the exact opposite of what it is claiming to be, therefore, we highly recommend not to install it by any means. If you have already done it, remove Browser Security using expert guidelines provided below.
If you see an increased number of ads on your computer screen as you browse the Internet, you should check your recently installed programs, remove the suspicious ones and scan your computer with reliable anti-spyware program.
If you are determined to delete the adware manually, follow the steps below and do as instructed. Otherwise, rely on automatic Browser Security removal tool that our experts recommend choosing.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Browser Security. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Follow the provided instructions to remove Browser Security virus and related spyware-type programs.
When in the Add/Remove Programs/Uninstall a Program, look for recently installed/unfamiliar applications, such as Browser Security, SafeSaver, SupTab, ValueApps, Lollipop, Software Updated Version, DP1815, Video Player, Convert Files for Free, Plus-HD 1.3, BetterSurf, Trusted Web, LyricsBuddy-1, Media Player 1.1, etc.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- 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.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- 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.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from 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.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Delete unwanted extensions and plug-ins from Firefox and then refresh the browser using the instructions provided below.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- 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.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
We highly recommend deleting vague browser add-ons installed without your permission. You can clean up your Chrome browser with a help of the given Browser Security removal guide.
Delete malicious extensions from 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.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Browser Security registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Fahmida Y. Rashid. How to identify the different types of phishing attacks. CSO Online. Security News.
- ^ Sabrina Berkenkopf. "Potentially Unwanted Programs": much more than just annoying. G Data Security Blog. Latest News about Malware, Threat Analysis.
- ^ NoVirus. Novirus. Security and Spyware News.