Folder Share virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Folder Share virus is an aggressive adware application that displays potentially dangerous advertisements every minute
Folder Share virus is a potentially unwanted program that displays intrusive ads on Google Chrome or other browsers
Folder Share is a program that allegedly helps users to share Windows folders on the network. However, it is also a particularly intrusive adware[1] application that spawns multiple executables on the targeted system to display pop-ups, in-text links, banners, blinking windows, and similar advertising content within Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or other. Even if the browser is not in use, FolderShare virus will launch the default browser and display fake Flash updates,[2] tech support scams, adult online gaming, and other inappropriate ads in 60 seconds intervals. PUPs usually enter PCs together with other software downloaded from the internet, so users rarely notice the entry point, and often cannot comprehend which application is causing the unwanted behavior. In other cases, however, apps like Folder Share might be installed deliberately due to its alleged functionality.
| Name | Folder Share |
| Type | Adware/PUP |
| Infiltration | Bundled software, third-party sites |
| Behavior | Displays intrusive ads in various forms, redirects to suspicious sites, slows down web browser, etc. |
| System modifications | Launches multiple executables that run in the background |
| Main dangers | Users might get infected with malware, lose money due to scams or even leak sensitive information |
| Elimination | You can delete Folder Share virus based on our instructions or use anti-malware software |
| Recovery | Scan your PC with Reimage to restore its functionality |
Folder Share virus is a typical adware application that pretends to be useful. In this case, the functionality it offers is the sharing of folders on the network – a process that can be achieved without such programs. Unfortunately, it is just a trick to make users keep the application. In contrary, users should remove Folder Share virus as soon as possible.
The main danger of Folder Share virus is not its presence on the machine, however. Adware programs like FolderShare and similar are not considered to be malicious as they do not directly corrupt system files. However, PUPs are capable of performing many functions that are virus-like and might result in a full-blown malware infection.
Additionally, FolderShare virus might lead users to phish or scam websites. Those who are not experienced with tech support, survey, fake updates, or similar scams, might end up paying criminals large sums of money, installing useless or even dangerous software or giving away sensitive information that can later be used for malicious purposes.
Furthermore, adware like Folder Share is known to be tracking its users. Cybercrooks target the following information:
- IP address;
- Location;
- Search queries;
- Sites visited;
- Links click;
- Duration of the visit;
- Bookmarks added;
- Etc.
This aggregated data can be later used for targeted advertising or sold to marketing firms for profit. To stop the excessive information tracking, you will have to uninstall Folder Share virus.
If you are suffering from persistent redirects and your Google Chrome or another browser is being launched at the intervals to show you ads, it is time to take care of FolderShare virus removal. You can opt for manual elimination with the help of our instructions, or, alternatively, use security software that specializes in PUP detection and removal.
As soon as you get rid of Folder Share virus, scan your device with Reimage to ensure that no other malicious components are left on the system.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
Potentially unwanted programs usually get into systems unnoticed – here's why
Potentially unwanted programs are called so for a reason – they are unwanted. It is highly unlikely that anyone who knows the full functionality and the impact on one's privacy, of such applications, would intentionally install them.
Adware apps spawn from a business model that turned out to be lucrative. Freeware and shareware are allegedly free, but developers of the software need to monetize in some way. Therefore, they employ ad-distributing script into their software. Thus, once the PUP installed, it starts generating revenue for its developers. The downside of it is that ads are usually poorly controlled and can result in malware infections, data leak, or even identity theft.
Therefore, the more users install unwanted software the more financial benefit developers gain. However, hiding the true intentions of the app is not the only deceptive technique used by authors. They also employ software bundling technique which allows an almost unnoticeable installation of PUPs.
Developers often use such tricks like grayed out buttons, misleading placement of “Next” buttons, pre-ticked boxes, Recommended settings, etc. Therefore, it is vital to stay vigilant during the installation of freeware, untick all the boxes, pick Advanced mode and never rush the procedure.
You should no longer keep FolderShare or any other adware on your computer
Even tough advertisement is a legitimate form of monetization, and millions of companies use it worldwide in many forms, some online advertisements can be unsafe. Therefore, security experts[3] recommend staying away from potentially unwanted programs that display intrusive ads, alter browser settings, or perform other significant changes to the machine.
You can remove Folder Share virus with the help of our instructions below. As long as you find the malicious app and terminate it, there should be no problems. However, be aware that adware programs may install additional components on your device without any notice. Thus, you can also opt for automatic FolderShare virus removal by employing anti-malware software.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Folder Share virus, follow these steps:
Uninstall Folder Share from Windows systems
To remove Folder Share from Windows OS, follow these instructions:
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
-
Uninstall Folder Share and related programs
Here, look for Folder Share or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Eliminate Folder Share from Mac OS X system
If your macOS is suffering from persistent ads, banners, pop-ups, in-text links, and similar unwanted behavior, use the following guide:
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Folder Share or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Folder Share from Internet Explorer (IE)
-
Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Folder Share and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Folder Share removal.
Erase Folder Share virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
-
When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
-
Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Folder Share should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariGet rid of Folder Share from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Make sure you reset Mozilla Firefox after you eliminate the PUP, as browser changes could have been made:
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Folder Share and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Folder Share removal.
Remove Folder Share from Google Chrome
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Folder Share and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Folder Share removal.
Uninstall Folder Share from Safari
Reset Safari as explained below:
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Folder Share or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Folder Share removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Adware. TechTerms. Computer Dictionary.
- ^ Brian Barrett. Hack Brief: fake Adobe Flash installers come with a little malware bonus. Wired. American tech magazine.
- ^ Faravirus. Faravirus. Cubersecurity researchers.
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